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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST3291 Introduction to Kanbun and Classical Japanese Texts

10 creditsClass Size: 15

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

Level 2 Modern Japanese

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

This module offers a basic introduction to Kanbun, the language of pre-modern Japan's official court diaries, government documents and Buddhist scriptures, for which students are required to have a high level of competence in Modern Japanese (equivalent to Level 2 Japanese). By the end of the module, students will have learned the general rules and genres of Kanbun through reading and comparing a variety of primary sources. In addition, students will have been introduced to reading and researching primary documents written in cursive script or kuzushiji.

Learning outcomes
To learn about the different genres of pre-modern Japanese; to become familiar with the basic rules and grammar of kanbun; to directly engage with primary documents in kanbun through reading and translating texts; and to develop a critical awareness of how kanbun documents have been used in contemporary research. In addition, students will learn how to conduct research independently through online databases of classical and medieval documents.

Skills outcomes
Students will be expected to have gained sufficient knowledge about Kanbun to engage with historical documents in a critical manner.

Syllabus

This module offers a basic introduction to Kanbun (Sino-Japanese) and the different textual genres in which it was used (for which a high level of competence in Modern Japanese is required - equivalent to Level 2 Japanese). During the course of this module, students will acquire a basic reading knowledge of pre-modern Japanese documents, diaries and Buddhist commentaries. Students will learn the specific characteristics of these texts through reading and translation exercises in class. In addition, we will look at how Japanese historians have translated these sources and how these documents are used in recent research on institutional and cultural history.

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 and preparation for class through assigned exercises; reading and revision for exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored on the basis of in-class exercises and discussions through which students will receive feedback. The coursework assessments will also serve as a useful means of monitoring progress, and weekly oral and/or written feedback will be provided

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Weekly Assignments	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

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	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 19/03/2014

Disclaimer

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