JAP4101 – Theories and Methods in Japanese Studies

Japanese studies is a field, not a discipline. You can choose to write your thesis on topics that range from modern politics to classical literature, from modern societal issues to history. In this course, you acquire knowledge about and reflect critically on the theories and methods that you will need for your project, and practice applying them to concrete examples.

The course comprises three pathways:

• Ethnographic research methods

• Literature and translation

• Historical texts and classical Japanese

You must complete two out of these three.

The course begins with a general introduction to research in Japanese Studies that will enable you to decide which of the pathways are the most relevant to you. By the end of the first week you must choose two pathways. You then attend seminars for your chosen pathways for the remaining nine weeks. You must complete the obligatory tasks and take the exam for the two pathways you chose.

In the literature and translation pathway you learn to:

• Perform a close reading of literary texts, teasing out their linguistic, stylistic, and narratological features, and situate them in their social, political, economic, and cultural context

• Examine how works of fiction are an expression of the society from which they emerge, and how they in turn affect society, contributing to either reinforcing or subverting existing social formations

• Assess patterns of literary production and audience reception, both domestically and globally

• Reflect critically on theories and practices of translation, both through comparative analysis of texts in different languages, and through practising translation from Japanese to English and/or Norwegian

In the ethnographic research methods pathway you:

• Read several recent ethnographic studies of aspects of Japanese society, familiarising yourself with different theoretical and methodological approaches

• Learn about the possibilities and challenges of participant observation as a research method

• Reflect upon issues related to positionality, voice, power, and research ethics

• Practise different ethnographic methods including but not limited to semi-structured interviews

• Acquire a passive understanding of quantitative research methods and become able to critically assess academic sources that use statistical data

In the historical texts and classical Japanese pathway you:

• Reflect on methods of working with primary sources from different historical settings
• Learn the basics of classical Japanese grammar, and practise translating primary sources in older forms of Japanese
• Apply historical methods to the primary sources that we read in class
• Think critically about common understandings of history by engaging directly with primary sources

• You will become familiar with a range of scholarly theories and research methodologies in Japanese Studies and practice them through work with concrete materials

• You will apply your Japanese language skills to the study of different subjects and advance them further

• You will develop your academic writing skills through essay writing

• You will practice debating academic knowledge through class presentations and discussions

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Only students enrolled in Japanese Studies (programme option) can be admitted to this course.

Two two-hour seminars per week for 10 weeks

The course is conducted in English. The readings are a combination of English and Japanese.

Compulsory activities

• Attendance and active participation in 6 out of 9 seminars in each seminar group (e.g. a total of 12 out of 18 group seminars).
• Some obligatory activities during the semester (homework, test, and/or oral presentation). Exact information will be given in Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the 2 following autumn semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications. You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignment(s) and the submission deadline in Canvas.

This course requires at least 60% attendance. This requirement is absolute.

The absence limit should cover normal absences due to illness, etc. You will therefore not be granted a valid excused absence based on a medical certificate, even if the absence is due to circumstances for which you cannot be blamed.

In special cases, for example, in the event of serious or long-term illness, you can apply for special needs accomodations. For questions about special needs accommodations, please contact studentinfo@ikos.uio.no

• Here you will find information about compulsory activities at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.

More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:

• Common guidelines relating to compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no)

The exam is a portfolio exam, consisting of four assignments (two for each pathway). The type of assignments depends on the pathways that you choose.

The literature and translation component consists of a short translation of a modern literary text into English or Norwegian, plus an essay on a modern Japanese literary work.

The ethnographic research methods component consists of a midterm essay and a final essay on a relevant topic.

The historical texts and classical Japanese component consists of an in-class translation and grammar test, as well as an essay on working with primary sources.