Japanese

Professors:  Carole Cavanaugh (on leave fall 2008), Nobuo Ogawa (on leave academic year 2008-09); Associate Professor: Stephen Snyder (chair); Visiting Assistant Professor: Mark Silver; Linda White; Lecturers: Kyoko Davis; Masahiro Takahashi; Department Coordinator: Margot Bowden

The Department of Japanese Studies offers a full range of courses in Japanese language, culture, literature, and film. This structured sequence of courses is designed to prepare students for international careers or for graduate study. Many majors go on to careers in business, international law, or teaching. Most students begin Japanese in their first year at Middlebury College and progress through four levels in modern Japanese (Tokyo common/standard speech). An advanced-level course is available for students who have come to Middlebury with prior training in the language and for those who accelerate their study by attending the summer Japanese School and studying abroad.
     The language program emphasizes all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn how to use Japanese in a variety of environments and to become active and confident speakers, readers, and writers. Language teaching involves cultural contexts and considerable attention is given to "cultural fluency," as well as to effective linguistic skills. Language study grounded within the appropriate social, political, and historical framework is supported by courses in a variety of disciplines. Courses in Japanese modern and classical literature, cinema, gender studies, and contemporary culture are offered in English translation and are open to all interested students. Students are required to take courses related to Japan in the Departments of History of Art and Architecture, History, Political Science, Religion, or Philosophy.
     Qualified students of Japanese are strongly encouraged to spend the junior year studying in Japan in one of several approved programs in Tokyo or Kyoto at prestigious universities. These programs offer Japanese language training, as well as Japanese and English-language courses in the various disciplines. Many students accelerate their language study by attending the Japanese School, Middlebury's intensive summer program. The Japanese School offers nine-week courses equivalent to one year of study. Students who attend the summer session just before study in Japan make significant gains that are solidified and enhanced by one semester or an academic year in Japan.
     Required for the Major: Students are expected to achieve proficiency in Japanese at the advanced level, requiring the completion of JAPN 0402, or the equivalent of four years of language study. Most majors begin their language training at Middlebury. They attain language competency through a combination of courses offered during the regular academic year, summer study in the Middlebury Japanese School, and junior year abroad at one of our approved programs in Japan. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the study of Japanese in their first academic year or in the summer before their sophomore year. Students who begin their study of Japanese in the sophomore year must attend the summer Japanese School before study abroad in Japan. Most students complete the equivalent of third- and fourth-year Japanese (JAPN 0301, 0302, 0401, 0402) during their junior year in Japan.

In addition to the completion of JAPN 0402 or equivalent, six culture courses on Japan are required. Two of the six required culture courses may be JAPN cross-listed courses in other departments or approved courses taken in Japan. Four of the six culture courses must be taken in the Japanese Studies department and at least two of these departmental courses must be taken before approval for study in Japan:

• JAPN/SOAN 0110 Current Social Issues in Japan
• JAPN/FMMC 0175 Japanese Animation
• JAPN 0180 Representing the Geisha
• JAPN 0190 The Tale of Genji
• JAPN 0198 Japanese Poetry
• JAPN 0215 Modern Japanese Fiction
• JAPN 0216 Contemporary Japanese Fiction
• JAPN/FMMC 0237 Japanese Film
• JAPN/WAGS 0245 Josei Undo: Women’s Activism in Contemporary Japan
• JAPN/WAGS 0250 Gender in Japan (formerly JAPN/WAGS 0350)

and two of either:

• HARC/JAPN 0224 Arts of Japan
• RELI/JAPN 0228 Japanese Religions
• HIST/JAPN 0235 History of Pre-Modern Japan
• HIST/JAPN 0236 The History of Modern Japan
• HARC/JAPN 0335 Sacred Japan: Religion, Nature, and the Arts
• HIST/JAPN 0418 Readings in Japanese History: Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima

     Honors: Successful completion of JAPN 0475 and JAPN 0700 Senior Thesis with a grade of B+ or above are required for graduation with departmental honors. Departmental honors will be awarded according to the grade point average of courses taken in the department, in the summer Middlebury Japanese School, and in Japan. A grade point average of 3.3 in these courses is required for graduation with honors. A grade point average of 3.75 and a grade of A on the thesis are required for High Honors.
     Required for the Minor: Courses required for the minor in Japanese are completion of language courses to the level of JAPN 0202, or the equivalent, and two additional courses offered by the Japanese department in culture, literature, or film.
     Middlebury's Summer School: Intensive language courses are available each summer at Middlebury's renowned Japanese School. During the nine-week session, students and faculty live in the same Japanese language dormitory, take their meals together, and communicate exclusively in Japanese, whether in the classroom or outside of class. Students who enroll in this intensive immersion program learn as much as they would in a regular two-semester course taken during the academic year. For all students pursuing the study of Japanese language and culture, and especially prior to study abroad in Japan, a summer of concentrated study at the second-, third- or fourth-year level in Middlebury's intensive Japanese School is strongly recommended. Students who are unable to begin the study of Japanese in their first year at Middlebury are strongly encouraged to begin or accelerate their study by taking a course in the intensive summer program.
     Study in Japan: Almost two-thirds of Middlebury students spend at least one semester studying off campus by the time they graduate. For those students who wish to study in Japan during their junior year, courses well suited to their needs are available at approved programs. Middlebury College is one of 16 colleges in the Associated Kyoto Program consortium. Students accepted to AKP take one academic year of intensive language and a variety of other courses taught by participating faculty from member colleges. AKP students live with Japanese host families and participate in the normal activities of the home. Middlebury students report that the homestay experience is especially enriching. Middlebury College has exchange programs with Doshisha University in Kyoto and Keio University in Tokyo. Students in these programs participate in regular university courses taught in Japanese and have dormitory and other residential options.

LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES
Japanese courses incorporate a variety of computer-driven teaching and learning strategies. Video and audio materials for first- and second-year levels are available on any computer, so that students can view and listen to authentic materials at any time in their dorm rooms or in labs. Japanese films, scripts, and anime in advanced-language courses are also available on the Web to students enrolled in those courses. Many Japanese literature and culture offerings are Web-based multimedia courses. Instructors often make use of conferencing and other electronic tools to extend learning beyond regular class hours. The Middlebury College Library contains an extensive collection of works in English on most aspects of Japan; in addition, there are 1,700 works in Japanese, with special strengths in literature and linguistics.

COURSES IN JAPANESE

JAPN 0101 First-Year Japanese (Fall)
This course is an introduction to the modern Japanese language aimed at acquisition of the four basic skills speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. The emphasis is on thorough mastery of the basic structures of Japanese through intensive oral-aural practice and extensive use of audiovisual materials. The two kana syllabaries and kanji (characters) will be introduced toward the goals of developing reading skills and reinforcing grammar and vocabulary acquisition. 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (K. Davis, S. Snyder, M. Takahashi)

JAPN 0102 First-Year Japanese (Winter)
This course is a continuation of the fall term. (JAPN 0101 or equivalent) 3 hrs. daily LNG (C. Cavanaugh, K. Davis)

JAPN 0103 First-Year Japanese (Spring)
This course is a continuation of the fall and winter terms with the introduction of more advanced grammatical structures, vocabulary, and characters. The continuing emphasis of the beginning Japanese course will be upon acquisition of well-balanced language skills based on an understanding of the actual use of the language in the Japanese sociocultural context. (JAPN 0101, JAPN 0102) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (K. Davis, S. Snyder, M. Takahashi)

JAPN 0201 Second-Year Japanese (Fall)
The goals of the intermediate course are to develop the ability to understand conversational Japanese at natural speed, to express oneself accurately and smoothly in various situations, to read nontechnical materials at reasonable speed with the use of the dictionary, and to express oneself in writing with relative ease. Understanding of Japanese culture will be broadened and deepened through mastery of the course materials. (JAPN 0103 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (K. Davis, M. Takahashi)

JAPN 0202 Second-Year Japanese (Spring)
This course is a continuation of JAPN 0201. (JAPN 0201 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (K. Davis, M. Takahashi)

JAPN 0301 Third-Year Japanese (Fall)
This advanced course aims to increase the student's proficiency in modern standard Japanese, both spoken and written. A variety of written and audiovisual materials will be used to consolidate and expand mastery of more advanced grammatical points and vocabulary. Oral presentation, discussion, and composition in Japanese are also important components of the course. (JAPN 0202 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (Staff)

JAPN 0302 Third-Year Japanese (Spring)
This course is a continuation of JAPN 0301. (JAPN 0301 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. drill LNG (Staff)

JAPN 0401 Advanced Japanese (Fall)
In this course we will read, analyze, and discuss advanced Japanese materials from a variety of modern and contemporary sources. (JAPN 0302 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./disc. (Staff)

JAPN 0402 Advanced Japanese (Spring)
This course is a continuation of JAPN 0401. 3 hrs. lect./disc. (Staff)

JAPN 0475 Advanced Reading in Japanese Studies (Fall)
Students read original materials in a variety of disciplines and develop skills to discuss them in Japanese on a near-native level. Advanced listening practice and literary translation are also emphasized. Students create an annotated research bibliography in preparation for the senior project or thesis. This course is required before taking JAPN 0700, but any student may enroll with approval of the instructor. (Approval only) 3 hrs. disc. (K. Davis, S. Snyder, M. Takahashi)

JAPN 0500 Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Qualified students may be permitted to undertake a special project in reading and research under the direction of a member of the department. Students should seek an adviser and submit a proposal to the department well in advance of registration for the term in which the work is to be undertaken.  (Staff)

JAPN 0700 Senior Thesis (Winter, Spring)
Students write a thesis in English with a synopsis in Japanese on literature, film, or culture. The topic for the thesis is chosen in consultation with the instructor. (JAPN 0475) (C. Cavanaugh, S. Snyder)

COURSES IN ENGLISH
In the following courses, readings, lectures, and discussion sections are in English.

JAPN/SOAN 0110 Current Social Issues in Japan (Spring)
In this course we will use ethnography, fiction, and historical studies to examine some of the underlying themes of Japanese culture. Japan is a highly developed, post-industrial society renowned across the globe for economic success in the post-World War II period. What historical and social factors have shaped Japan’s contemporary culture, and how have interactions with other countries influenced Japanese society? We will study a number of different spheres of Japanese life including the family and the workplace to better understand contemporary society. We will pay special attention to Japan’s global position and its relationship to the United States. 3 hr. lect./disc. SOC AAL (L. White)

JAPN 0116 Traditional Japanese Literature in Translation (Not offered 2008-09)
This course is an introduction to Japanese literature from ancient times to the late medieval period. We will discuss the Japanese poetic tradition; the relationship between literature and religious beliefs; and issues of gender, sexuality, and subjectivity. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL

JAPN/FMMC 0175 Anime: Japanese Animation (Spring)
Animated films (Japanese anime) have generated new excitement worldwide. Anime films raise serious questions about our existence and identity, about the relationship of the present to myths of the past, about the body and its transformations, about the power of the erotic, and about human aspirations in a mechanized world. In this course we will investigate the anime genre in its cultural contexts with special attention to the relations anime has with cinema. Films for study include Metropolis, Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. 3 hrs. lect./disc./screening. (Not open to students who have taken FYSE 0178). ART AAL (C. Cavanaugh)

JAPN 0180 Representing the Geisha (Not offered 2008-09)
The geisha has been used as a symbol of Japanese culture since the beginning of contact with the West, and, after a hundred and fifty years, global fascination with the figure seems to be keener than ever. She has been associated, in various periods, with both ultra-nationalism and cultural feminization, and she has been the subject of both high art and high kitsch. In this course we will examine foreign and domestic representations of the geisha ranging from Edo-period theatre and woodblock prints, to popular film and Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. Issues explored include: gender relations and representations, cultural performativity, and global cultural commodification. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL

JAPN 0190 Tale of Genji (Not offered 2008-09)
Was the Tale of Genji the first psychological novel? Written by Murasaki Shikibu in Japan 1000 years ago, the narrative focuses on the political and amorous life of Genji, a fictional prince barred from the throne. His story addresses the conflict between Buddhist beliefs and human desire in a society committed to the arts and aesthetic pleasure. Is Genji a hero or a scoundrel? Is the narrative about one remarkable man, or about the personalities of the women who love him? We will answer these questions through a close reading of the work in translation as we explore its literary, religious, social and historical contexts. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL

JAPN 0198 Japanese Poetry (CW5) (Not offered 2008-09)
This course examines the tradition of Japanese poetry. Beginning with the earliest recorded poems of the 7th century, we continue through to the modern period.  We will examine the forms and aesthetics of poetry and its uses within fiction, diaries, and drama. All works will be read in English translation. The course will provide  introduction to vocabulary and poetic sentence-structure for students with no knowledge of Japanese. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL

JAPN 0215 Modern Japanese Fiction (Fall)
In this class we will examine the development of Japanese literature from the Meiji restoration (1868) through WWII.  During this period of rapid and often tumultuous modernization, fiction played a crucial role in the creation of the nation-state and in the formation of the individual's sense of self.  We will read works by writers who participated actively in the imagination of modernity and those who resisted it, including Kunikida Doppo, Higuchi Ichiyo, Natsume Soseki, and Mori Ogai. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL (S. Snyder)

JAPN 0216 Contemporary Japanese Fiction (CW 5) (Not offered 2008-09)
In this class we will examine the development of Japanese literature from the end of World War II to the present.  The fiction of this period documents Japan's recovery from the devastation of the war and its development as an economic power. Writers chronicle the effects of these changes in Japan and, increasingly, in global culture.  We will read novels and short stories by Mishima Yukio, Enchi Fumiko, Kawabata Yasunari, Oe Kenzaburo, Murakami  Haruki, and Kirino Natsuo, among others. (Not open to students who have taken JAPN 0220) 3 hrs. lect./disc. LIT AAL

JAPN/HARC 0224 Arts of Japan (Not offered 2008-09)
See Department of History of Art and Architecture for course description. ART HIS AAL

JAPN/RELI 0228 Japanese Religions (Fall)
See Department of Religion for course description.
PHL AAL (E. Morrison)

JAPN/HIST 0235 History of Pre-Modern Japan (Fall)
See Department of History for course description.
HIS SOC AAL  (N. Waters)

JAPN/HIST 0236 The History of Modern Japan (Not offered 2008-09)
See Department of History for course description.
HIS SOC AAL

JAPN/FMMC 0237 Japanese Film (Not offered 2008-09)
This course traces the history of Japanese film through the cinema of Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Ozu, Oshima and other directors. We will focus on the golden age of the 1950s, the New Wave of the sixties, and films of the 1990s and 2000s. Films include Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Tokyo Story, as well as influential works by current directors. 3 hrs. lect./disc. and screening ART AAL

JAPN/WAGS 0245 Josei Undo: Women’s Activism in Contemporary Japan (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will critically evaluate Japanese feminism since the late nineteenth century. We will focus on the following themes within Japanese feminism, namely, the structure of work and family life, the relationship between the state, women, and the military, and the politics of reproduction and women's bodies. In addition, we will consider the role of feminism in Japanese society and the connections between global feminisms and Japanese local political struggles. This course will help students develop a deeper understanding of Japanese society and the position of women in society. It will also help students contextualize gender relations and feminist activism cross culturally. 3 hr. lect./disc. SOC AAL

JAPN/WAGS 0250 Gender in Japan (Fall)
In this course we will examine changing ideas about gender and sexuality in Japan in the tenth through twentieth centuries, with special attention to the modern period. Sources will include literary texts, films, and social/historical studies. We will discuss topics, including women's writing in classical Japan; the commercialization of sexuality in the eighteenth century; ideas of "homosexuality" in late-medieval and modern times; and women's social roles and political struggles in the twentieth century. LIT AAL (L. White)

JAPN/HARC 0335 Sacred Japan: Religion, Nature, and the Arts (Not offered 2008-09)
See Department of History of Art and Architecture for course description. ART HIS AAL

JAPN/HIST 0418 Readings in Japanese History: Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima (Not offered 2008-09)
See Department of History for course description. HIS AAL