DESCRIPTION: An introduction to Japan's first millennium of literary history through selections from representative texts and genres, including myth, song, poetry, romantic fiction, autobiographies, scripture, anecdotes, essays, theater, and works of criticism. No prior knowledge of Japanese language, culture, or history is required GRADING BASIS: 100% A+, 95-99% A, 91-94% A-, 87-90% B+, 80-86% B, 75-79% B-, 71-74% C+, 67-70% C, 63-66% C-, 59-62% D+, 55-58% D, 51-54% D-, below 50% F REQUIREMENTS: Attendance and participation: 10% Two exams (20% each): 40% Two analytical papers (4-6 page paper 20%, 7-9 page final paper 30%) PAPER GRADING GUIDELINES: F - Fails to meet college standards. Overall it reflects little knowledge and poor grammar. D - Represents minimum pass work. The thesis statement may be vague, unsupported, obvious, overly general, or absent. It may lack important factual information, make illogical claims, or offer no textual evidence. C - Represents average college work. The thesis is not particularly insightful or original. Quotations stand alone with no introduction or analysis. B - Represents good work. The topic of the essay is somewhat original but may not explore secondary arguments or counter-arguments, or it may rely more on summary and description more than on analysis. A - Represents excellent work. It has an original thesis, and each part of the essay advances the argument with specific details and sound logic. Apt quotations are selected, appropriately introduced, and fully analyzed.