ONLINE Lecture is MW 2:10-3 
IN-PERSON Discussion Section is R 2:10-3 in Horton

ONLINE Lecture is MW 2:10-3 
IN-PERSON Discussion Section is F 9:10-10 in Horton

ONLINE Lecture is MW 2:10-3 
IN-PERSON Discussion Section is F 11:10-12 in Horton

We have all experienced unprecedented upheaval during the past few pandemic years. What can we learn from how past cultures dealt with the aftermath of tumultuous moments, from how to express and move through grief individually and collectively to how to articulate and incorporate those experiences into our sense of self moving forward? And how do literary forms such as poetry shape those stories that we tell about ourselves? This course examines these questions by investigating Japanese literary representations of historical narratives centered on loss, war, and political upheaval. We will look at examples that span from the ancient period to WWII to critically consider distinctions between individual/collective, private/public, and memory/history. While trauma and grief are largely culturally specific, whenever possible this course will encourage you to apply the analytical skills honed in this course, such as close reading, to contemporary texts. 

This is a synchronous online course that meets once weekly on Zoom. Students will need access to a computer, microphone, and camera to participate in the course. All course materials will be in English.