JPN425/525 Japanese Literary Trends

This lecture and discussion course analyzes a variety of Japanese fictional works written by both canonized and so-called “popular” authors from 1945 to the present. We will examine how Japanese writers creatively depict daily life, convey aspects of human nature, and devise aesthetic forms through which to respond to social, financial, and political issues. Students will become familiar with authors who have come to represent literary movements and who have helped to construct Japan’s global image. We will explore the nature of Japanese publishing in the digital age and discuss the politics of literary translation. We will question what books will be like in the future. All readings available in English.