Course Description

Course Attributes: GA

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

 Spring 2025, TUJ. This term will focus on the arts of Japan.    

GenEd

This course fulfills the Arts (GA) requirement for students under GenEd and Arts (AR) for students under Core.

Learning Outcomes

Asian Studies

GenEd Program Competencies 

https://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/general-education/#Program_Competencies

Information Literacy, Critical Thinking, Oral and Written Communication, Interdisciplinary Thinking, Contextualized Learning

GenEd Area Goals

https://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/general-education/#GenEd_Courses

Course Materials

All materials are required for the course. All are available at the TUJ Libraries stacks or online, or, will be provided by the instructor. 

Traditional Japanese arts and culture : an illustrated sourcebook

Addiss, Stephen, 1935-2022.; Groemer, Gerald, 1957-; Rimer, J. Thomas.

Honolulu : University of Hawai'i Press; 2006 

On reserve at stacks 

History of art in Japan

Tsuji, Nobuo, 1932- author.; Rousmaniere, Nicole Coolidge, 1961- translator.

New York : Columbia University Press; 2019

On reserve at stacks

The Kojiki : An Account of Ancient Matters

Ō, no Yasumaro, author.; Heldt, Gustav.

New York, NY : Columbia University Press; 2014

Available online through TUJ Japan Libraries

The tales of the Heike

Watson, Burton, 1925-2017.; Shirane, Haruo, 1951-

New York : Columbia University Press; 2006

Available online through TUJ Japan Libraries

The incident at Sakai and other stories

Mori, Ōgai, 1862-1922.

Honolulu : University Press of Hawaii; 1977

On reserve at stacks

A history of Japanese theatre

Salz, Jonah, editor.

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press; 2016

On reserve at stacks

The Japanese theatre : from shamanistic ritual to contemporary pluralism

Ortolani, Benito.

Leiden, Netherlands ; New York : E.J. Brill; 1990

On reserve at stacks

Rashōmon and seventeen other stories

Akutagawa, Ryūnosuke, 1892-1927.; Rubin, Jay, 1941-; Murakami, Haruki, 1949-

New York : Penguin Books; 2006

Available online through TUJ Japan Libraries

Articles:

The Infrastructure of the Gods: Izumo in the Yayoi and Kofun Periods

Torrance, R. in Japan Review Number 29, 2016

Available online

Meitokuki: Earthquakes and Literary Fabrication in the Gunki Monogatari

Thornton, S. in Japan Review Number 28, 2015

Available online

Historical uses and misuses: The Janus face(s) of "The Abe Clan"

Davis, D.W. in Film History, Vol. 7, No 1. 

Available online

Rashomon. in The Films of Akira Kurosawa. 1996, pg 70-80

Richie, D. 

Available online

The Way of the Samurai: Ghost Dog, Mishima and Modernity’s Other

Otomo, R. in Japanese Studies Vol 21 N 1, 2001

Available online 

Instructional Methods

In Person, TUJMB, Room 401

MWF 6:30 pm -7:50 pm

 Instructional Methods: Readings, video-based lectures, individual activities, discussions, weekly responses, Quiz

Course Communications

My preferred method of communication is through email. 

Assessments will be returned within 2 weeks of completion. 

Course Technology Requirements

You will need the following to participate fully in the course:

• A computer and/or tablet with high-speed Internet access. A smartphone alone will not be sufficient.

  Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions.

• Access to Temple University’s Canvas site and email server.

• Microsoft Office. A free copy is available to you at https://its.temple.edu/office-365

This course requires the use of Canvas, including access to materials and assignment submission. Some videos posted via Canvas will require the use of speakers. The instructor may utilize web-conferencing tools to deliver synchronous material. In order to participate in synchronous sessions (should they exist), you should have a computer, a webcam, headphones, and a microphone.

This course requires the use of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). To access these materials, please log in to TUportal and look for the Microsoft Download link under TUapplications within the My Portal tab.

Students should check their Temple email daily for course updates. 

All students are required to comply with  Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policies.

Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wi-Fi access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Wifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to purchase discounted internet services and devices for qualified individuals. 

On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of all of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs.

Note that technology resources are available for students, including laptop and battery share. Some software is available for free download on the ITS Academic Support page. Other specialty software may be available for remote access through ITS.

Statement on Recording and Distribution of Class Sessions 

Taping and Recording of Classes: Recording of this class is permitted with instructor’s permission, but only for personal use. Dissemination, broadcast, or transmission for non-personal, non-academic use will result in disciplinary action taken under the Student Code of Conduct.

Statement on the Use of Generative AI in This Course

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) are not permitted in this class; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University’s Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in zero on said assignment.

Grading Scale

C- or better is required to fulfill the GenEd area requirement. 

Weighting Details

• Assignments: 20%
• Quizzes: 20%
• Mid-term: 20 %
• Attendance & Participation: 20%
• Final Exam: 20%

Total = 100%

Assignment Descriptions

Semi-weekly worksheets will be done before and in class.

Readings should be done before class, but we will read some material in class together. 

Quizzes will consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, short answer, and matching. 

The mid-term and final will resemble quizzes but also have room for longer answer or essay-type questions. 

Students will give two presentations in class on topics related to independent field-trips, field-work or audience membership they undertake. 

Course Minimum Grade

Although D- is a passing grade, a minimum grade of C- is required in General Education courses and, in many programs, courses required by the major.

For more information, please see Temple University's Academic Policies on Grades and Grading.

General Policies

The General Education Policies and Requirements details program expectations.

Attendance and Your Health

Students must attend and participate in classes according to their instructors’ requirements to achieve course learning goals. If you feel unwell or are under quarantine or in isolation because you have tested positive for the coronavirus, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they can do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

Incomplete

A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if the student: 1) has completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) is unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the time frame in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester.  

Please refer to the following for further details: Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13). 

Withdrawal from the Course

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw from the current semester.

See Temple University's Academic Calendar for withdrawing deadlines and consult the University policy on Withdrawals (Policy # 02.10.14). 

Statement on Academic Rights & Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

Academic Honesty

According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.

Netiquette and Class Conduct Expectations

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others' privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.

For more information, please visit https://diversity.temple.edu/.

Disability Disclosure Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS), Ritter Annex 100, (215) 204-1280 or 215-204-1786 (TTY) or drs@temple.edu, to make arrangements.  If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are not retroactive. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

 
Information regarding accessibility for additional technologies is provided below:  (add/delete as appropriate)

• Canvas
• Zoom
• VoiceThread
• ProctorU
• Proctorio
• GoogleDrive
• Outlook
• Sharepoint

Technical Support 

For a listing of technical support services available to Temple University students, see the Tech Support page.

Live Chat or Request Help:  tuhelp.temple.edu.

Phone: 215-204-8000

Email:  help@temple.edu

Website: its.temple.edu

Location: The TECH Center, Room 106

Academic and Support Services

Temple University provides a variety of services to support you throughout your studies. Please take a moment to view these by visiting the Academic Support Services page.

The following academic support services are available to students:

• Student Success Center
• University Libraries
• Undergraduate Research Support
• Career Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• Disability Resources and Services

  
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, theTemple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs. 

Continuity of Instruction in the Event of Emergency

Students are to register for the TUAlert System to be made aware of University closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instructions. Students can register for this system on the Campus Safety Services website. Students registered for the class will be alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

Please note that online classes are generally not affected by campus closures.  

Privacy Policy

Please see the links below to become familiar with the privacy policies for each of the following: 

• Temple University
• Canvas Instructure
• Zoom

Course Schedule

Key Dates:

Include the first and last day of classes, the last day to add/drop, the last day to withdraw, days off, breaks, wellness days, etc. See https://registrar.temple.edu/academic-calendar

The following dates are for the Fall 2024 16-week semester. For a 7-week semester, please refer to: https://registrar.temple.edu/academic-calendar/2024-2025-academic-calendar

Monday, January 13th: First day of classes

Monday, January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Classes are held in Japan

Monday, January 27: Last day to add or dropLinks to an external site. a Full Term 16-week (1) course

Monday, Feb 24th : TUJ Holiday no Class

Monday, March 5 - TUJ Holiday no Class

Friday, March 21 - TUJ Holiday no Class

Sample Class Schedule

Course Schedule

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