Introduction to Japanese sociolinguistics: questionnaire studies, variation analysis, ethnography of communication, conversation analysis, interactional sociolinguistics, and language and social interaction.

This course focuses on the work of Haruki Murakami (1949-), the most popular and widely read novelist working in Japan today, and a major literary figure worldwide. We will read a substantial amount of Murakami's writings, all in English translation, beginning with his short stories, and covering his major novels. We will explore the major themes of Murakami's writings and develop a comprehensive view of his development as a writer. At the same time we will locate Murakami in the context of modern Japanese and world literature, and discuss his relationship with modern American literature, and his work as a translator and writer of non-fiction.

This course explores Japanese society employing anthropological methods. Topics include politics, social structure, gender, sociolinguistics, education, religion, and popular culture. The main theme of this course is to learn how to distinguish between images and realities.

This course provides an introduction to the phonetics and phonology of Japanese. Some related topics in morphology are also covered. Students develop a sophisticated understanding of some of the problems encountered by non-native speakers learning Japanese.

Reading and discussion in Japanese of a variety of advanced-level materials, including newspaper articles, short stories, and poetry.

Reading and discussion in Japanese of a variety of advanced-level materials, including newspaper articles, short stories, and poetry.

How does Japan fit into the modern world? What are the commonalities, contrasts, and connections among Japan and other societies and states? By exploring how various historical processes and developments - such as industrialization, state-building, nationalism, neo-imperialism, new political institutions and legitimacy, capitalism, economic class-played out in Japan, a number of issues are illuminated: what are the traits of "modernity"? Are there meta-narratives of historical change? Is all history only local or regional? In what ways is the world "global"? We will explore these questions by approaching the pertinent issues from three angles: (1) the modern history of Japan; (2) comparing Japan to other geographical/cultural areas; and (3) adopting major themes which will act as conceptual prisms.

Advanced readings in Japanese and English on specific topics in Japanese linguistics.

Phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics of the Japanese language.

An introduction to the pre-modern Japanese literary language (termed hereafter Classical Japanese (CJ)), approached through the translation of texts from the 8th to 13th century into English. There will be an introduction to the language - its history, structure, and relationship to Modern Japanese (MJ) - after which it will proceed through in-class reading and translation of prepared passages taken from the literary texts specified below. Certain classes will be set aside for quizzes as well as seminar discussion of specific topics.