FF:JPNB35 Reading of Japanese Fiction - Course Information

JPNB35 Reading of Japanese Fiction

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Marcel Koníček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marek Mikeš, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Zuzana Rozwałka, Ph.D.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• Japanese Studies (programme FF, B-JA_) (3)

Abstract

This course is aimed at reading and analysis of modern Japanese prose in Czech translations. Its goal is through reading of several selected works of Japanese fiction available in Czech to introduce the students to the breadth and width of Japanese literary production in the 20th century. In this way the students will gain familiarity with this topic and deepen their knowledge of the societal and cultural topics discussed in these literary works.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will be able to:
- Define the main topics of selected Japanese literature works
- Explain the relationship between these works and the societal context in which they were created
- Approach the content of literary works critically
- Formulate their own aesthetic stances towards the works and present them during academic discussion

Key topics

• Course outline:
• 1. Introduction to the course and books being discussed
• 2. Natsume, Sōseki: Kokoro
• 3. Hino, Ashihei: War and Soldiers
• 4. Endō, Shūsaku: Deep River
• 5. Takahashi, Gen'ichirō: Sayonara, Gangsters
• 6. Kawakami, Mieko: Heaven
• The books will be provided to the students in the form of scanned PDF files.

Study resources and literature

required literature
• NATSUME, Sōseki. Kokoro. Translated by Michael Weber. Vydání první. V Praze: Vyšehrad, 2020, 331 stran. ISBN 9788076013643. info

recommended literature
• WINKELHÖFEROVÁ, Vlasta. Slovník japonské literatury. 1. vyd. Praha: Libri, 2008, 335 s. ISBN 9788072773732. info

not specified
• HAINO, Ašihei. Válka a vojáci. Praha: Sfinx, 1939.
• ENDÓ, Šúsaku. Hluboká řeka. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2019. ISBN 978-80-7601-160-1.
• KAWAKAMI, Mieko. Nebe. Translated by Klára Macúchová. Vydání první. Praha: Odeon, 2023, 213 stran. ISBN 9788020721624. info
• TAKAHASHI, Gen’ichirō. Sbohem, gangsteři. Edited by Igor Cima, Translated by Anna Cima. Vydání první. Praha: Argo, 2021, 368 stran. ISBN 9788025734148. info

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Self-study of selected literary works, active class participation in the form of discussion. After reading each book the students will write a short response paper (circa 1 page). Contents of these response papers will serve as the basis for the class discussion. Every class will start with a short lecture followed by the discussion itself which will focus on the topics mentioned in the students' response papers.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

The requirement for successful completion of the course is active class and discussion participation. Due to this 80 % attendance (missing one class is allowed) is required. In the case of unavoidable absention contact the teacher.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every other week.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo japanistiku je podmíněn souhlasem vyučujícího.

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2026/JPNB35