PATRICK CADDEAU
Assistant Professor of Japanese Language and Literature
Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations
Amherst College
Asian 27: Reading The Tale of Genji as a Novel
[DESCRIPTION]
[FILM SCREENINGS]
[SYLLABUS]

DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on the most revered work of the classical Japanese canon, The Tale of Genji. Written by a woman in service to the imperial court around the early eleventh century, Genji is rich in details concerning Japan's aristocratic culture at its zenith. We will read all fifty-four chapters of Genji in translation at a fairly leisurely pace, taking regular detours to examine works of criticism, theatre, and cinema created in response to this touchstone of sophisticated prose fiction. Theoretical analysis will be integrated with readings on topics ranging from gender and feminist theory to the relevance of the term novel in describing a work of fiction written nearly a millennium ago in classical Japanese. The course seeks to provide students with an introduction to premodern Japan through literature and an appreciation for Genji as a masterpiece of Japanese fiction and of world literature. Open to non-majors, no knowledge of Japanese required. Students of Japanese may request supplementary materials in Japanese (classical and modern) for additional reading.


Course meets: M/W 12:30-1:50 in 101 Webster Hall
Office Hours: M/TH 9:15-10:00 am and by appointment

Requirements: All primary readings are to be completed before class. Students are expected to lead at least one class discussion based on primary and secondary readings from the syllabus. Regular attendance and contribution to class discussion will be factored into final grades for the course. Short essays should be approximately 1,000 words (4 pages) in length. The final paper is due in my office by 4:00 pm on Monday, December 15th. One-half letter grade will be deducted for each day assignments are submitted beyond the due date.

The following books are considered primary readings for the course. You will need to bring a copy of Genji with you to all class meetings. Course books are available for purchase at the Jeffery Amherst College Store:

Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu; Tyler, trans.
Japanese Culture, Paul Varley (Fourth Edition)

Additional and secondary readings will be distributed during the course of the semester or will be made available online or on reserve in the library. A nominal fee will be charged to your account to cover cost of duplication.


FILM SCREENINGS

Unless otherwise noted film screenings will be held in Fayerweather 115 at 7:30 pm. If you are unable to attend a scheduled film screening you will need to view the film in the media center before the class meeting in which the film will be discussed. The call number for the film follows the title, director, year released, and length of filmin minutes. Films will normally be available at the reserve desk for the course. Please note that films are subject to limited availability so you need to budget time to view the film in advance if you are not able to attend the scheduled screening.

9/19 SUN The Tale of Genji (Sugii Gisaburo 1987, 110m, PL 788.4 G429)
11/7 SUN Raise the Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991, 125m, PL2904.T86 A2491)

SYLLABUS

  • Week 13 Classical resonance: Genji in the twentieth century
  • Reading Period 16-17 December
  • Exam Period 18-22 December

  • Final Paper (2,000 words) due 20 December by 4:00pm in 106 Webster Hall

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