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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST1268 Pre-modern Japan through Modern Media: Ancient Japan's classics, conflicts and sermons through Manga and Anime

10 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Dr. Mikael Bauer
Email: m.bauer@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

No prior knowledge of the subject required

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module offers a basic introduction to pre-modern Japanese culture and history through modern popular culture. The module asks how Japanese pre-modern history is portrayed in modern popular culture and what these modern interpretations of history tell us about the Japanese perception of their own past. The module introduces students to literary classics, such as the Tale of Genji, and considers the way iconic figures, like the samurai or warrior monks, have been adapted in manga and anime. The aim is to encourage students to critically analyze the modern perception of past events and reflect upon the Japanese construction of the past.

Objectives

This module offers a basic introduction to pre-modern Japanese culture and history through modern popular culture. By addressing literary classics such as The Tale of Genji or iconic figures such as the samurai or warrior monks through their adaptation in manga or anime, students will learn to critically analyze the modern perception of past events and reflect upon the Japanese construction of the past.

Learning outcomes
This course encourages students to gain an understanding of pre-modern Japanese culture and history; to engage with a variety of media in which pre-modern literature and icons are represented; to understand the ways in which the past is constructed and represented; and to critically approach historical sources.

Skills outcomes
Students will be expected to have gained knowledge about pre-modern Japanese history through critical analysis of a range of visual and literary materials. This will enhance their ability to individually address sources in a critical manner, learn what 'history' constitutes and how certain modern conditions form our image of the past.

Syllabus

During the course of this module, students will address history through literary and visual sources. Every topic will be addressed in three phases. First, the students will discover historical events, literature and people through reading primary sources in translation. In a second phase, we will see how these stories are depicted in movies, animation or manga. Finally, we will discuss the differences between the pre-modern sources and their modern adaptation and explore how we can use such a comparison to critically analyze the way the Japanese interpret their own past.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			78.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Background reading related to the visual and literary materials addressed in class; reading and preparation for assessment; reading and revision for exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored through their contributions to in-class discussions and presentations. By analyzing modern representations of pre-modern events, students will be encouraged to independently engage with history.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/03/2015

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