Japanese Studies

Courses

Courses with * fulfill
General Education requirements

(A-AP) = Arts - Applied

(A-TH) = Arts -
Theoretical/Historical

(A-AR) = Analytical -
Abstract Reasoning

(A-QR) = Analytical -
Quantitative Reasoning

(CP) = Comparative Practices

(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic

(D-I) = Diversity - International

(D-L) = Diversity - Language

(ES) = Earlham Seminar

(IP) = Interpretive Practices

(SI) = Scientific Inquiry

(W) = Wellness

(AY) = Offered in Alternative Year

*JPNS 150 EARLHAM SEMINAR
(4 credits)
Offered for first-year students. Topics vary. (ES)

*JPNS 172 BUDDHIST
TRADITIONS: AN INTRODUCTION
(4 credits)
An introduction through texts and videos to the history, scriptures and practices of the three primary Buddhist "turnings of the wheel": Theravadan Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia; Tantric Buddhism in India and Tibet; and Zen in Japan. Examines the Buddha's earliest teachings in the Pali Canon; the Jataka Tales of the Buddha's life; key Tibetan texts like The Life of Milarepa and The Words of My Perfect Teacher; the Zen memoir From Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity; and writings of young Buddhists. Possible films include: Kundun and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. Also listed as REL 172. (D-I)

*JPNS 226 TRADITIONAL EAST ASIA (3 credits)
A survey of traditional culture in China, Viet Nam, Korea and Japan, with emphasis on China and Korea, and on East Asia as an international system. Attention to the historical development of the great tradition in literature, art, religion, politics and social institutions. Also listed as HIST 226. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 228 MODERN EAST ASIA (3 credits)
A survey of East Asia since about 1800, with emphasis on China and Korea, and on East Asia as an international system. Special attention to the historical development of politics, economics, society and social institutions, literature, thought and international relations. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 228. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 236 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF JAPAN (3 credits)
A broad general introduction to the history and culture of Japan, emphasizing intensive class discussion of representative readings in Japanese history, literature and other fields. A survey of the major patterns and processes of Japanese history and the main issues in the study and interpretation of Japan from both Humanities and Social Science perspectives. (D-I)

*JPNS 237 EAST ASIAN CINEMA (3 credits)
A survey of films from China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan), South Korea and Japan. Develops basic skills for visual analysis and familiarizes students with film theories and cultures of modern East Asia. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as FILM 237. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 238 INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN LITERATURE (3 credits)
A survey of literary texts from Asia, especially China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan), South Korea and Japan. Readings and discussions of short stories, novels, poems and essays in English translation that reflect each society's changing views of traditions, modernization and literary values. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 341 JAPANESE POPULAR CULTURE (3 credits)
Introduces academic approaches to contemporary popular culture in Japan, such as anime and video games. Develops analytical skills for visual narratives and helps students better understand Japanese culture in the post-industrial era. Also listed as FILM 341. (A-TH, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 342 JAPANESE CINEMA (3 credits)
A survey of Japanese cinema from early films to anime, comparing the development of Japanese cinema with other national contexts. Develops analytical skills that focus on technical details of films and how they inflect narration, character and theme. Also listed as FILM 342. (A-TH, D-I)

*JPNS 343 MODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE (3 credits)
Introduces representative literary texts from modern Japan, mostly from 1900 to present. Develops more advanced skills for literary analysis. Some topics include: I-novel autobiographical fiction, women's writing and modern poetry. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 344 TRADITIONS IN JAPANESE LITERATURE (3 credits)
Introduces representative classic texts from premodern Japan, approximately from 9th to 19th century. Develops more advanced skills for literary analysis. Some topics include: Heian women's literature, war epics, waka/haiku poetry, and Edo popular literature and theater. (D-I) (AY)

JPNS 351 TEACHING JAPANESE AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (3 credits)
Introduction of basic current principles of language learning and teaching, and unique features of Japanese. Students practice teaching in drill sessions in Basic and Intermediate Japanese courses on campus and/or teaching in elementary schools. Taught in Japanese and English. Prerequisite: Advanced language courses or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JAPN 351.

*JPNS 362 CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
Examines the relationship of individual psychological functioning and cultural systems, utilizing a cross-cultural analysis of Japan vs. the U.S. as an illustrative case. Includes a major project focused on the culture(s) of a student's choice. Prerequisite: PSYC 115, 237, 238 or 239. Also listed as PSYC 362. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 364 MUSICS OF JAPAN (3 credits)
Also listed as MUS 364. (A-TH, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 366 THE FAMILY: EAST AND WEST (3 credits)
A seminar engaging in an interdisciplinary approach to the family from a psychological perspective. Comparative analysis of Japanese and American families allows examination of the universality of psychological processes and concepts and their dependence on the contexts of culture, social class, ethnicity and gender. A major project allows students to investigate the family in a culture of their choice. Prerequisite: PSYC 115, 237, 238 or 239. Also listed as PSYC 366. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 372 ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY (3 credits)
A survey of the history of Asians and Americans of Asian ancestry in the United States from the 18th century to the present, with emphasis on phases of immigrant history and interactions with recipient communities in the context of U.S. historical development, and on issues of race, ethnicity, gender, naturalization and citizenship, and racial, ethnic and cultural identity. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 372. (CP, D-D) (AY)

*JPNS 374 AMERICA'S WARS IN ASIA (3 credits)
Examines American perceptions and diplomatic and military conduct in Asia in the 20th century, from the Philippine War to the War on Terror, focusing on the bilateral relations between Asian countries and the U.S., and on American behavior in the context of U.S. domestic culture and politics. Examines the future of U.S. foreign policy towards Asia. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 374 and POLS 374. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 380 RELIGIONS OF EAST ASIA (4 credits)
An exploration of the religious and philosophical thought and practice of East Asia, focusing on Popular, Shinto, Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist traditions as manifested in the classical periods of cultural development as well as contemporary society. Prerequisite: One course in Religion (preferably in World Religions), one course in Japanese Studies or consent of the instructor. Also listed as REL 380. (D-I)

*JPNS 382 TOPICS IN JAPANESE (3 credits)
Investigates several aspects of Japanese language and culture through a variety of media, literatures and films. Students engage in projects and build independent research skills. Taught in English and Japanese. Reading materials in English and Japanese. Prerequisite: Advanced language skills or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JAPN 382. (D-I)

JPNS 407 TRANSLATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE (3 credits)
Studies several theoretical approaches and addresses a variety of issues. In addition to readings, discussion and research on particular aspects of translation, students design and carry out individual and group translation projects. Prerequisite: Advanced level reading skills or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JAPN 407. (AY)

JPNS 422 JAPANESE LINGUISTICS (3 credits)
Investigates the origin, writing system, sound system, word formation and structure of Japanese language as well as the relationships between language and culture. Taught in Japanese and English. Prerequisite: Advanced language courses or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JAPN 422. (AY)

*JPNS 430 JAPANESE LANGUAGE IN SOCIAL CONTEXT (3 credits)
Examines Japanese language in a social context to develop students' understanding of and critical thinking about the dynamic relationship between language use and society with particular reference to Japan. Topics include aspects of Japanese language and the society and interaction between them, the concept of social group, gender differences, politeness, influence of foreign languages on the Japanese language and popular culture. Taught in English and Japanese; reading materials in English and Japanese. Prerequisite: Advanced level of language skills in Japanese or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JAPN 430. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 431 LITERACY IN JAPANESE (3 credits)
Examines the writing system of Japanese from psycholinguistic and pedagogical viewpoints. Includes an overview of writing systems around the word and their evolutions. Also listed as JAPN 431. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 472 MODERN CHINA (4 credits)
A survey of Chinese historical development from the first dynasties to the present day, with emphasis on the period from the mid-14th century through the liberalizing reforms of the post-Mao era. Investigates problems of historical continuity and change, Chinese perceptions of themselves and of the West, attempts at economic and political modernization, the Maoist revolution, and the interplay between institutions and ideas. Also listed as HIST 472. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 473 TRADITIONAL JAPAN (3 credits) Research Credit.
A survey of traditional life and culture in Japan in a historical and institutional framework, from earliest times to around the 18th century. Topics include the state, the relationship between authority and power, social structures, economic life, philosophy, religion, the arts and literature. Also listed as HIST 473. (D-I) (AY)

*JPNS 474 MODERN JAPAN (4 credits)
A study of Japanese historical and institutional development in the early modern and modern periods, from the 15th century to the present. Topics include the Tokugawa period; the Meiji Restoration and modernization; the periods of colonialism, imperialism and militarism; postwar recovery and the economic miracle; and the challenges of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Explores economic, political, social, intellectual and international perspectives. Attention to prominent theories of development as applied to Japan. Also listed as HIST 474. (D-I) (AY)

JPNS 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
An individually designed advanced study of topics in the history, culture and historiography of Japan, China, Korea and other areas of East Asia, including thought, religion, literature, and literary theory and criticism. Results in a thesis or research paper.

JPNS 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (3 credits)
Seniors complete a significant draft of their thesis in the Fall Semester of the Senior year as part of JPNS 488. Submission of the final thesis project and a public presentation take place in the following Spring Semester and are required for graduation.