Fall 2019 ANS 372: Japanese Science Fiction 31707 Instructor: Joseph C. Schaub, Ph.D. Email: [email protected] Course Meetings: Office Hours: Office: Phone: Course Description: This course introduces some of Japan’s important works of sci-fi and speculative fiction in the postwar era (1945-present). We will explore the ways that literature and film’s futuristic narratives and imagery change during periods of economic prosperity or prolonged recession. Central to our discussions will be the slippage between utopian and dystopian worldviews, the fascination and fear of high-tech society, the ongoing threat of global apocalypse, and the gradual dawning of the posthuman era. No prerequisites are required for this course, although familiarity with postwar Japanese history will be helpful. Required Texts: Japan Sinks, (1973), Sakyo Komatsu All You Need is Kill (2004), Hiroshi Sakurazaka The Best Japanese Science Fiction Stories (1989), Edited by John Apolstolou & Martin Greenberg (JSFS) Speculative Japan 4 (2018), Edited by Edward Lipsett (SJ) Additional readings will be made available on Canvas (Can) Course Objectives: • Students will read, analyze, interpret, and discuss a variety of Japanese science fiction texts • Students will learn techniques for conducting literary and film analysis • Students will demonstrate comprehension of important concepts through discussions, quizzes, and written assignments • Students will gain greater familiarity with Japanese culture through readings, discussions and written assignments Course Work: Attendance & Participation: In addition to attending class, I am asking each student to do a presentation of one of the short stories. Detailed guidelines for how to approach the presentations are attached. In terms of grading, the Attendance/Participation grade is worth 25% of the total. Attendance will be worth 10%, participation in discussions will be worth 5% and the presentation will be worth 10%. Unit Quizzes: After completing a unit, we will have a quiz that will cover lecture material, readings and discussions. These quizzes will consist of multiple choice, T/F and possibly some short identification questions. The quizzes will take place at the beginning of the class for which they are scheduled. The total points for all quizzes will amount to 25% of the final grade. Written Assignments: There will be three written assignments due at various points in the semester. I am asking each student to write a brief (1 – 2 pages, worth 5%) reflection following your presentation (see attached presentation guidelines). Each student will also write a brief (1 – 2 pages, worth 5%) response to questions for the novel Japan Sinks (see attached). Finally, each student will write a longer (5 -6 pages, worth 15%) paper to be handed in at the end of the semester. Information about this paper is attached. Final Exam: The Final Exam is currently scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 7:00 pm-10:00 pm. I am trying to reschedule it. Course Schedule: TH Aug 29: Introduction to course, syllabus T Sep 3: Origins of Japanese Science Fiction TH Sep 5: Read, Can – Edogawa Ranpo, “Hell of Mirrors” Unit 1: Disaster & Apocalypse (Begin reading Japan Sinks) T Sep 10: Screen Gojira (Honda, 1954); Read Can - TsuTsui, “Birth of Godzilla” TH Sep 12: Finish Gojira, discuss Kaiju Eiga T Sep 17: Read JSFS - Kobo Abe, “The Flood,” Shinichi Hoshi, “Hey, Come on Ou-t” TH Sep 19: SJ – Junko Mase, “The Ebb and Flow of the Aurora Sea” T Sep 24: SJ - Masahiko Inoue, “Last Words” TH Sep 26: Quiz # 1: Screen Clone Returns Home (Nakajima, 2008) Unit 2: Technology & the Posthuman Body T Oct 1: Finish Clone Returns Home, Read CAN – Schaub, “Threading the Needles,” Discuss “posthumanism” TH Oct 3: Read JSFS - Ryo Hanmura, “Cardboard Box,” JSFS - Shinichi Hoshi, “Bokko-Chan” T Oct 8: Read JSFS - Sakyo Komatsu, “The Savage Mouth,” Takyu Mayamura, “Fnifmum” TH Oct 10: SJ – Yasumi Kobayashi, “Prototype No. 3,” SJ – Sayuri Ueda, “Vermillion” T Oct 15: SJ – Hiroko Minagawa, “Morceaux,” SJ – Masaki Yamada, “Matsui Seimon on the Case” TH Oct 17: Quiz # 2, Discuss Japan Sinks, (Essay Questions Due) 2 Unit 3: Time & Space (Begin reading All You Need Is Kill) T Oct 22: Discuss Time & Space; Watch Hoshi no Koe (Shinkai, 2002) TH Oct 24: JSFS - Takashi Ishikawa, “The Road to the Sea,” Sakyo Komatsu, “Take Your Choice” T Oct 29: SJ - Hiroki Azuma, “The Fish in Chryse” TH Oct 31: SJ – Ken Asamatsu, “Genesis: Dark Birth - Shining Death” T Nov 5: SJ – Shinji Kajio, “Pearls for Mia” TH Nov 7: SJ – Akira Hori, “Encounters on the Solar Wind” T Nov 12: Quiz # 3, begin Nausicaa (Miyazaki, 1984) Unit 4: Utopia & Dystopia TH Nov 14: Finish Nausicaa, Read Can – Napier, “Nausicaa & the Feminine Principle,” discuss utopian/dystopian fiction T Nov 19: JSFS - Yasutaka Tsutsui, “Standing Woman” TH Nov 21: JSFS - Tetsu Yano, “The Legend of the Paper Space Ship” T Nov 26: SJ – Osamu Makino, “Dancing Babylon” TH Nov 28: Thanksgiving Break T Dec 3: SJ – Takako Takahashi, “Communion” TH Dec 5: Last Day of Class, Review for Final Exam, Final Papers due Grading: Attendance and Participation 25% Quizzes and Unit Tests 25% Written Assignments 25% Final Exam 25% Final Grades are assigned as follows: 93-100 = A 80-82.9 = B- 67-69.9 = D+ 90-92.9 = A- 77-79.9 = C+ 63-66.9 = D 87-89.9 = B+ 73-76.9 = C 60-62.9 = D- 83-86.9 = B 70-72.9 = C- below 60 = F 3 Class Policies This course carries the Global Cultures flag. Global Cultures courses are designed to increase your familiarity with cultural groups outside the United States. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from assignments covering the practices, beliefs, and histories of at least one non-U.S. cultural group, past or present. Readings are listed in the syllabus on the day they are due. If you see a reading on the syllabus for a certain day, it means we will cover it that day. Absences Excused Absence: The only absences that will be considered excused are for religious holidays or extenuating circumstances due to an emergency. If you plan to miss class due to observance of a religious holiday, please let us know at least two weeks in advance. You will not be penalized for this absence, although you will still be responsible for any work you will miss on that day if applicable. Check with us for details or arrangements. If you have to be absent, ask a classmate for notes on any lessons you miss. If you find there are topics that we covered while you were gone that raise questions, you may come by during office hours or schedule a meeting to discuss. Email specific questions you have in advance so that we can make the most of our time. “What did I miss?” is not specific enough. Student Rights & Responsibilities Students have a right to an inclusive learning environment where they are respected, graded fairly, provided with opportunities to freely express opinions, and guaranteed privacy and confidentiality where appropriate. In return, each of us is responsible for treating others with respect, listening courteously and doing our best to make the learning environment supportive to all. If you are feeling that the class is not meeting this standard, please let the instructor or TA know so that the issue can be addressed as quickly as possible. Names & Personal Pronouns Class rosters are provided to the instructor with students’ legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. University Policies Academic Integrity Each student in the course is expected to abide by the University of Texas Honor Code: “As a student of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and uphold academic integrity.” Plagiarism is taken very seriously at UT. Therefore, if you use words or ideas that are not your own (or that you have used in previous class), you must cite your sources. Otherwise you will be guilty of plagiarism and subject to academic disciplinary action, including failure of the course. You are responsible for understanding UT’s Academic Honesty and the 4 University Honor Code which can be found at the following web address: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php Q Drop Policy If you want to drop a class after the 12th class day, you’ll need to execute a Q drop before the Q-drop deadline, which typically occurs near the middle of the semester. Under Texas law, you are only allowed six Q drops while you are in college at any public Texas institution. For more information, see: http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc/academic/adddrop/qdrop University Resources for Students If there are aspects of this course that prevent you from learning or exclude you, please let me know as soon as possible. Together we’ll develop strategies to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. There are also a range of resources on campus Services for Students with Disabilities This class respects and welcomes students of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. If there are circumstances that make our learning environment and activities difficult, if you have medical information that you need to share with me, or if you need specific arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please let me know, but also contact Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259 (voice) or 1-866-329- 3986 (video phone). http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability/about/ Counseling and Mental Health Center There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help.