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Unit of study_
JPNS3676: Japanese Fantasy and Science Fiction
2025 unit information
The unit of study will focus on fantasy and science fiction as means of representing the Other in modern Japanese literature and popular culture. Building on Tzvetan Todorov's definition of the fantastic as a hesitation between the realistic and the supernatural, it will analyse the way in which Japanese fantasy tackles issues of modernity, gender and cultural difference in a variety of genres and media, including the novel and short story, manga, anime and film, from the Meiji period to the present.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Japanese Studies |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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JPNS3612 or JPNS3621 |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate an understanding of Japanese fantasy and science fiction; the evolution of Japanese literature and popular culture from the Meiji period to the present, both in the fantastic and in the realist tradition, and about the position of the genres of fantasy and science fiction in world literature
- LO2. demonstrate language skills and an ability to read and listen to a variety of Japanese written and audiovisual texts
- LO3. communicate in oral and written presentation
- LO4. demonstrate independent and collaborative research skills
- LO5. demonstrate familiarity with the major theoretical approaches in the fields of Japanese studies, literary theory, postcolonial studies, gender studies, and popular culture studies, and the ability to reflect on their interconnections
- LO6. analyse and critically understand different types of texts and media, including the novel and short story, film, manga and anime
- LO7. use secondary sources in the critical analysis of primary texts.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
