Love and Loss: Reading The Tale of Genji

Catalog description

Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji (c. 1000 CE), the great Japanese classic often referred to as "the world's first novel," has been praised by countless readers and scholars since it was first circulated within the imperial court. In this course we will read the entire text in English translation. We will focus on themes of love and loss, paying special attention to the substitution that results from the hero, the shining prince Genji, losing his mother at a tender age and attempting to fill the void she left. Since Genji is popularly thought of as a "playboy," we will investigate the thematic, historic, political, social, and religious descriptions within Genji's (many) love affairs, with a special emphasis on issues of gender. We will also consider the poetry, imagery, costume, music, religion, theater, and material culture of the mid-Heian era, which is encapsulated in the tale. Students will prepare individual research projects and be responsible for finding and presenting primary sources and secondary research. The instructor will provide background information on political, cultural, and religious history as well as present on details of literary theory. The aim is to encourage students to critically analyze the modern perception of the past. Class sessions will combine lectures, discussion, and audio- visual materials. All material is in English translation. The course is conducted in English. Offered as JAPN 337 , JAPN 437 , and WLIT 337 . Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.