Course Description

Western descriptions of Japanese culture and identity have a history dating back as far as the 16th century. Over the course of history an inventory of concepts and images evolved which provides the background for discourses about Japanese culture and identity in today's politics, media, and the business world.

We will examine the history of this discourse on Japanese culture and identity by examining key texts produced by western writers. Text material will be in English language and chosen by the course instructor in accordance with the language proficiency of the course participants.

Students can expect to come out of this course with a better understanding of the western discourse on Japanese culture and its key concepts. Thereby, the course participants will be better equipped for engaging in intercultural debates about Japanese culture and identity in their future professions.

In the first part of this course we will focus on Ruth Benedict's "Chrysanthemum and the Sword-Patterns of Japanese Culture" (1946), the most important source for theories about Japanese culture (Nihonron) in the West and Japan since the post-war period.