Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE POETRY AND PERFORMING ARTS

Department: Asian Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group I

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course introduces students to traditional verse forms and performing arts of Japan with a focus on their multimodal and cognitive characteristics. We will learn the history and rules of poetic forms, like waka and haiku, and the techniques and methods of performance arts like Noh, singing storytelling, Kabuki, and puppet theater. We will learn how verbal, vocal, visual, and architectural arts, including calligraphy, painting, and stage design, shaped each other, and how the special characteristics of written and spoken languages of Japan (including Chinese written and quoted by Japanese authors), along with universal cognitive mechanisms, like prediction and memory, interacted and gave rise to unique and moving artistic manifestations. Readings/viewings will be in translation/subtitled, and no background in East Asian languages is required, but interested students may request help with locating and analyzing original-language material.