The Origin and Construction of Chinese Characters, pp. This course explores the impact of the American atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, 1945. We will read testimonial accounts by survivors of the blasts and view documentary videos of the atomic aftermath. We will also read works of fiction and poetry dealing with the A-Bomb. We will focus on the concept of positions to understand how and why the bombings happened in the context of WWII, and how Japanese and Americans felt and continue to feel about the bomb s devastating effects.
All readings are in English translation.
Writing Ground Zero. Black Rain. 1969. Oe, Kenzaburo, The Crazy Iris. Sadako, Kurihara, Black Eggs. University of Michigan.