2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Literature B
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Toshihiro Furuya
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon (W521) / 1-2 Thu (W521)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H204
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this lecture, we will learn "what is a novel" through "reading" individual works from classics to modern novels and contemporary Japanese novels.
The "novel" is an art form created using words.
The purpose of using language (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) is not only to convey meaning and logic (ideas). It includes many elements, such as the presentation of unstated contexts and emotions, the expression of attitudes toward the world, rhythm, breathing, physical sensations, and empathy for or rejection of others.
In this lecture, we will examine what novels (writers) "do" by using words, not through objective analysis such as literary historical positioning and mapping, but through "reading" individual works while taking history into account.
They learn that novels are a much broader form of expression than most people have preconceived notions about, and that "reading" is an active act that involves the entire body.
Course description and aims
By taking this course, students will acquire the following skills.
(1) Students will be able to explain how the expression of the novel has developed from the modern era to the present, citing the names of authors and the contents of their works.
(2) Learn about the state of the modern novel, and be able to appreciate and understand novels more deeply.
(3) By deeply savoring and understanding novels, students will develop an affinity and respect for the art of fiction.
Keywords
Literature, Literary History, Contemporary Fiction
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The lecture will be based on a show-window style introduction of individual works. In classes where students will be doing read carefully of short stories, copies of the works will be distributed.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Class guidance, etc. | How to conduct the class Think about the relationship between modern art and the modern novel, and between contemporary art and the contemporary novel |
| Class 2 | From Before the Novel to the Novel From the Modern Novel to the Contemporary Novel | Think about the historical development of the novel, touching on the writings of The Bible, Ovidius, Homer, Flaubert, Lugones , H.G. Wells, etc. |
| Class 3 | Read modern and contemporary novels from abroad (experience the "description" and "structure" of novels) | Read carefully of short stories by Chekhov and Borges |
| Class 4 | Read modern and contemporary novels from abroad (19th century American novels) | Read Hawthorne ,Melville |
| Class 5 | Read modern and contemporary novels from abroad (consider Kafka as a bridge from the modern to the contemporary) | Read carefully of Kafka's short stories |
| Class 6 | Read modern and contemporary novels from abroad (think about the state of contemporary literature) | Read Woolf, Musil |
| Class 7 | Reading modern and contemporary novels from abroad (considering the characteristic theme of the inversion of fiction and reality) | Read Bioy Casares Fan Juan Rulfo Philip K. Dick |
| Class 8 | Reading modern and contemporary novels from abroad (Touching on the Existence of Women Writers in the 20th Century) | Read Marguerite Duras and Jane Bowles |
| Class 9 | Reading modern and contemporary Japanese novels (touching one of the veins of Japanese literature) | Experience the writings of Hyakken Uchida, Kenichi Yoshida, Komimasa Tanaka, Shizuo Fujieda, Meisei Goto, etc. |
| Class 10 | Read modern and contemporary Japanese novels (think about how what can be done in novels has been expanded) | Read carefully of short storie by Kazushi Hosaka |
| Class 11 | Read Japanese modern and contemporary novels (experience the overwhelming power of intricate "sentences") | Read Nobuo Kojima |
| Class 12 | Reading Japanese Modern and Contemporary Fiction (Thinking about women writers who struggle against the "status quo") | Read Yoko Tawada, Yoriko Shono and Naokola Yamazaki. |
| Class 13 | Reading Japanese Modern and Contemporary Fiction (Thinking about the most cutting-edge practice of the novel at the moment) | Read Kenichiro Isozaki, Sumito Yamashita |
| Class 14 | Reading Japanese Modern and Contemporary Fiction (Touching on various ways of "the present of the novel") | Touch the writings of Tomoka Shibasaki, Jungo Aoki, Ryohei Machiya, Ao Omae, etc. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
No textbook is specified. Copies of works for close reading will be distributed in class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None in particular.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Comments in class, submitted work, etc. (20%) Term-end report(80％)
Related courses
- LAH.H104 ： Literature A
- LAH.H304 ： Literature C
- LAH.S405 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences5:Literature
Prerequisites
None in particular.