Year KGU Summer School, 2019 Course Title JSC Japanese Culture Program Duration June 11-July 10, 2019 Credits 2 Instructor's name Dr. Galia Petkova, Lecturer, Kwansei Gakuin University Is the Japanese festival (matsuri) only fun and entertainment or is there more meaning to it? This course offers an introduction to Japanese culture through major festivals held annually all over Japan, focusing on Kyoto. The goal is to understand these festivals from diverse viewpoints – as Course Objectives religious, cultural, social and economic phenomena. We will explore their origins and significance, their role in preserving traditional Japanese values while also incorporating contemporary features and attracting tourists. Students will gain a comprehensive overview and understanding of Japanese festivals and festival culture (matsuri bunka) and its place in contemporary society, as well as of the issues of gender Attainment Objectives and identity. The students will also deepen their knowledge of the Japanese history and how it formed various festivals. Session 1) Introduction to the course Session 2) New Year Festival - Oshôgatsu Session 3) Driving out the Evil: Setsubun “Change of Seasons” Course Contents of Session 4) Buddhist Festivals Each Session Session 5) Matsuri and Gender: Overview Session 6) Matsuri and Gender: The Girl's Day Festival and The Boy’s Day Festival Session 7) Summer Festivals Session 8) Obon Session 9) Festivals and Traditional Performing Arts Session 10) The Three Big Festivals in Kyoto – Jidai Matsuri “Festival of the Ages” Session 11) The Three Big Festivals in Kyoto – Aoi Matsuri “Hollyhock Festival" Session 12) The Three Big Festivals in Kyoto – Gion Matsuri Session 13) Influence of Gion Matsuri Session 14) Osaka Tenjin Matsuri "Festival of the Gods" Session 15) Conclusion Method of Instruction The course combines lecture/discussion format with extensive audio-visual display None - Readings will be provided Textbooks References Books/ References books will be recommended in the first class Reading List Method of Criteria of Class Participation (50%): Active participation in class discussions Evaluation Presentation (50%): Presentation of assigned readings or a festival / topic related to the session content Course Evaluation In class survey Method by Students Assigned readings should be read before the class. A presentation by students is required of an Other Specification assigned class reading or a festival / topic related to the class content. The themes will be for Class Preparation discussed in advance with the instructor. Course Key Words Japan, society, culture, festival, matsuri, gender, identity, perfomance, traditional performing arts.