Japan

Translation has become nowadays so much a matter of course, that we seldom think of the fact that what we read in translation is not the original itself but just one of its variants, the gap between the two being at times quite significant. By comparing different samples of Japanese literature, classical and modern, with their English translations we shall try to trace what is lost in translation - lost words, meanings, nuances, and feelings. On the other side, we shall ask ourselves the question: Is translation an inevitable loss, is there nothing gained in translation. The course covers some major problems and difficulties of translating Japanese literature before proceeding with a close reading of several samples of exemplary literary works (classical and modern, such as classical poetry waka, The Tale of Genji, Tanizaki Junichiro, Dazai Osamu etc.): the original, and its English translation(s). Each analysis is followed by a general discussion.

This course closely examines works of modern Korean literature from the 1900s to the 1970s to provide deeper understanding of Korean literature, its people and society, especially from the perspective of gender. Students read representative works of Korean literature by both male and female writers and analyze and discuss, concentrating especially on the works written during the colonial period, which was also the time when ‘modern' Korean literature first started to take shape. Students also discuss how female (and also male) characters are represented in the works of male writers during colonial times, and the meaning of such representation. Assessment: attendance and participation, reading assignment, presentation, final paper, final exam.

This course in inorganic chemistry introduces the basics of atomic, electronic and molecular structure. It also covers bonding theory and demonstrates the periodicity of the elements. Other topics covered include the most important aspects of inorganic chemistry which are the structure, properties and reactivities of inorganic substances and the relationship between them. Reference: F.A. Cotton, G. Wilinson, and P. Gauss, BASIC INORGANIC CHEMISTRY.

This course teaches basic Japanese grammar to engage in a simple everyday communication. Assessment: Attendance, Class Participation, Homework, Small Test, Final Exam Textbooks: Minna no Nihongo Shokyu Main Textbook Second Edition 3A Corporation Minna no Nihongo Shokyu Translation and Grammatical Notes-English Second Edition 3A Corporation

This course examines Japanese writing as it is used in real life situations. Students are required to write in Japanese about various topics and learn to compose in sophisticated and more effective format. Emphasis is placed on correct language use and formality appropriate for each situation. It consists of weekly 1000-word assignments in Japanese. Skills needed to write on various themes in appropriate styles are taught. This class is discussion-intensive, with quizzes throughout the semester as well. Assessment: class attendance, participation, and homework assignments.

This course provides an understanding of the workings of an international macroeconomic model, and examines, by the model, how changes in international economic conditions affect the exchange rate, the interest rate, and the output. The course provides an international macroeconomic model developed in Krugman et al. (2011). Students construct three models: a model describing the exchange rate determination in the FX market, a model of asset market describing the interest rate behavior, and a model of goods market, where the national output is determined. Later students integrate the three models into one and describe the “simultaneous” determination of these variables. Assessment: midterm exam, final exam, and quizzes. Units: The regular version of this course is worth 3.0 UC quarter units. The Q version of this course is worth 4 or 4.5 UC quarter units. Students must submit a special study project form which outlines the requirements for the additional units. This is typically an additional paper graded by the instructor of the course.

This course attempts to take a balanced approach in exploring the unique characteristics of Japanese religion and thought. A strong focus is placed on the ideas of emic (insider) vs. etic (outsider) descriptions of culture. The course gives equal weight to: close readings of emic essays about Japanese ethnicity, and a broad survey of the scholarship on Japanese religion and thought based on points raised in An Introduction to Japanese Society by Sugimoto Yoshio.

This course surveys important aspects of the contemporary Japanese economy. It provides an overview of Japan's postwar economic performance; a good understanding of the uniqueness and generality of the economic structure; an application skill of introductory economics; and the ability to investigate public policies. In the historical part of the course, topics include postwar reform, rapid growth, the bubble, and the post-bubble recession. The structural portion of the course takes up the Japanese corporation, clarifies its characteristics in international comparison, and studies related issues of the employment system, keiretsu or corporate grouping, household behavior and the aging of the population, such semi-macro issues as industrial structure and innovation, the financial system, macroeconomic policies, and international economic issues. Reference texts: Okabe, CROSS SHAREHOLDING IN JAPAN: A NEW UNIFIED PERSPECTIVE OF THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM. Assessment: midterm exam (50%), short paper (50%) Units: The regular version of this course is worth 3.0 UC quarter units. The AQ version of this course is worth up to 4.5 UC quarter units. Students must submit a special study project form which outlines the requirements for the additional units. This is typically an additional paper graded by the instructor of the course.