2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
English Language and Cultures 13
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Ryoichi Yamane
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Thu (M-112(H117))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAE.E481
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Students in this course will closely read and discuss literary texts about masculinities, reglionalism and racism during the era of the US cultural Cold War.
The purpose of this course is not only to acquire cultural knowledge on them, but also improve skills to account for what the texts are all about.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course students will be able to:
-acquire skills to analyze the U.S. literature
-learn the historical background of the literary texts
-explain in their own words what is significant about the texts
Keywords
American literature and culture, close reading, discussion
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The instructor will require students to (1) closely read the short stories or essays, (2) briefly investigate their historical backgrounds (3) discuss some social issues related to the literary texts, and (4) present their own opinions in writing.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction: On the current trend of Men's and Masculinities Studies and the US Cultural Cold War | To be able to account for what theories and practices of masculinities are all about |
| Class 2 | Dazai Osamu, "Of Women." Translated by Edward G. Seidensticker | Close reading, summarizing, and criticizing |
| Class 3 | Sakutaro Hagiwara, "Person Who Loves Love." Translated by Graeme Wilson | Close reading, summarizing, and criticizing |
| Class 4 | Eudora Welty, "Where Is the Voice Coming from?" | Close reading and summarizing |
| Class 5 | Richard Wright, an excerpt from The Outsider | Learning the historical backgrounds |
| Class 6 | Walker Percy, an excerpt from The Moviegoer | Close reading and summarizing |
| Class 7 | Review and final presentation | To be able to criticize masculinities in the US and Japan in and after the Cold War era. |
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)
Handouts will be provided in class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Announced in class if necessary
Evaluation methods and criteria
Activities in class: 20% Assignments: 30% Final exam: 50%
Related courses
- LAE.E482 ： English Language and Cultures 14
Prerequisites
None
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with Seminar: Language and Culture(English) 14.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.