Spring Quarter 2024
- For day, time, room, and TA information, see our PDF SCHEDULE, or see the course search tool https://registrar-apps.ucdavis.edu/courses/search/index.cfm.
- For all courses not described below, please refer to the General Catalog course descriptions: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/courses-subject-code/jpn/
Lower Division
JPN 003 Elementary Japanese, Sec. 1-2, 4-9
JPN 005 Intermediate Japanese, Sec. 1-4
Upper Division
JPN 103 Japanese Literature in Translation: The Modern Period
Michiko Suzuki
This lecture/discussion course examines a broad range of major narrative texts in Japanese literature from the 1890s to the present. The novels and short stories we will read focus on issues of self and national identity, sexuality, war, westernization and modernity—issues that have been central to the Japanese cultural imagination since Japan opened up to the West in the mid-19th century. In addition to learning about the authors and their works, we will also examine the historical, literary and cultural contexts of the so-called modern period. GE: AH, WC, WE Lectures, readings and discussions are in English. No previous knowledge of Japanese language or culture is required.
JPN 106 Japanese Culture & Film
David Gundry
JPN 109 Japanese Popular Culture
Michael Foster
This course explores Japanese popular culture from a variety of perspectives. We will examine what “popular culture” means as a theoretical concept, and how popular culture has been a vital part of Japanese history from the early modern (Edo) period through the present. Primary emphasis will be on major forms of twentieth- and twenty-first century popular culture, including genre films, manga, anime and other forms of artistic expression. Throughout the course we will question the social, economic, and political contexts in which popular cultural products are created and consumed—and about which they inevitably speak. We will also consider the role of Japanese popular culture as a form of “soft power” in today’s global cultural marketplace. Class will be a combination of lecture and discussion. All readings will be in English and no previous knowledge of Japanese language or culture is required.
JPN 113 Modern Japanese, Sec. 1-3
Yumi Takeuchi
Miyo Uchida
JPN 160 Japanese Food Culture
Michael Dylan Foster
JPN 164 Japanese Cinema
Michiko Suzuki
This class is an introduction to Japanese film from the early silent films to contemporary cinema. While exploring the history of Japanese film and its social and cultural contexts, we examine works by important directors (such as Kurosawa and Ozu), genres (such as avant-garde film and samurai film), themes and techniques. We will also read secondary critical materials on Japanese film and history. Particular areas of focus include gender, war, memory, censorship, visuality and narrative. Watching all films (through links on Canvas site) is mandatory. Lectures, readings and discussions will be in English. No previous knowledge of Japanese language or culture is required. GE: AH, WC, WE, VL
JPN 165 Sex & Love in Japanese Literature
David Gundry