G30 Fall AY2021

Literature
Undergraduate / Graduate

Undergraduate

Registration Code0065411

Course Category

Arts BasicCredits

2.0

Term (Semester) / Day / Period

G-I (1st year, Fall Semester) / Fri / 4 (14:45～16:15)

Instructor

MC GEE Dylan Patrick

Contact e-mail of the Instructor
mc.gee.dylan.patrick@f.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp●Goals of the Course
Few audiences in Japan read works of classical Japanese literature in their entirety, or in the original language.
Nowadays, it is more common for people to form connections to texts through adaptations andremediations—be it through storybook versions of classics like the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, works of manga,anime, live-action television drama and film, theatrical adaptations, fan fiction, video games, or a host of
non-narrative media. While adaptation to more accessible forms of media helps ensure the continuation ofJapan’s literary heritage, it usually comes at the cost of changes or effacements to the original texts. This isimportant to keep this in mind when attempting to assess the cultural impact of texts, or how the reception andinterpretations of texts have changed over time.
●Objectives of the Course
In this class, we will be reading works of classical Japanese literature and comparing them with adaptations inother formats and media. Through this comparative approach, we will seek to understand literary texts as sitesof open interpretation, where meanings are constantly negotiated and renegotiated over time, and verbal andvisual codes are translated across media for different audiences. In other words, we will learn about theprocesses of adaptation. All primary readings for this course will be in English translation, with Japaneseversions available for any student who is interested in reading in Japanese. Students are not required to havereading proficiency in Japanese or any prior background in Japanese Literature, East Asian Studies, or theHumanities prior to taking this course. All are welcome!
●Course Content or Plan
Course content will be organized into fourteen individual modules, each focusing on a particular topic ortheme. Each class meeting with include a lecture module and ample time for discussion.
●Course Prerequisites and Related Courses
There are no academic prerequisites for this class. However, in order to ensure an optimal learning experience,
you are strongly encouraged to have the following:-- A desktop or laptop computer (smartphones not suited for online discussion and writing)-- Access to a quiet, private space with a reliable WIFI connection-- A working camera, microphone, and set of speakers (standard on most computers)-- A browser capable of opening PDF documents-- Capacity for viewing video lectures with file sizes of 500 MB or more-- An e-mail account that you check regularly (for communication and submission of final papers)●Course Evaluation Method and CriteriaAssessment in this course will be according to a contract system. At the start of the semester, each student will
be given a choice of three different learning tracks, each with a different set of tasks and learning objectives
that will culminate in a fixed grade. Upon successfully meeting all the objectives in their chosen track, students
will earn the grade they signed up for. Specific details about the assessment schedule for each track can beviewed on the online version of the syllabus, which will be accessible starting on Friday, September 17th (seebelow for link).
●Notice for Students
As of this writing, my plan is to teach this class online in Fall 2021, not in person. If conditions improve to thedegree that there appears to be little risk of students contracting COVID-19 by coming to class, I willreconsider; but since my first priority is your health and wellbeing, I want to play it safe. So please assume that
we will NOT be meeting in person until I notify you otherwise.

G30 Fall AY2021
If you are considering enrolling, or if you are still on the fence and would simply like to learn more about thecourse content, please visit the following signup sheet page on Google Docs so that I can send you an invitation
to the course site:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lkWaoHxxhjsBljYI4Jjkw4yzyMXZJ3zeJR_l016f-4c/edit
If you cannot access Google Docs for whatever reason, you can also e-mail me for an invitation at:
mc.gee.dylan.patrick@f.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Note that I will be opening the course site on Friday, September 17th. That way, you can view the online
version of the syllabus, peruse the schedule of course readings, and even get a head start working on some of
the lesson modules before the semester starts.
If, after enrolling in the course, you wish to withdraw, please complete the required procedures by the deadline.
Note that enrollment and withdrawal procedures may be different, depending on your program. Also,
understand that being added or removed from the NUCT site is not the same thing as enrolling or withdrawing
from the class. If you have questions about enrollment procedures, please consult with the office.

Textbook
Reference Book
Reference website
for this Course

All course readings will be provided to students on the first day of class. There is notextbook to purchase.
All list of reference works will be provided on the first day of class.