Japanese Courses

1080 Ghosts, Masks and Actors

NOT OFFERED Fall 2007

1. This course is an English-language survey of the major forms of traditional Japanese theater: Noh, kabuki, and bunraku puppet theater. In particular, the course focuses on three main themes: the representation of ghosts and non-human beings, the role of disguise in theatrical texts and performances, and the figure of the actor as an object of desire/fantasy. Emphasis will be placed on the study of both written texts and performances (on video and DVD). Other than texts and videos of Noh, kabuki and bunraku, course materials will include literary works in which theater/acting play a prominent role, medieval treatises on theater, and literary works (including poetry and fiction) that have provided important source material for these three theatrical traditions. This class is designed for upper class majors in Theater Arts or Japanese Language and Literature, and non-majors in related fields.

2. No prerequisites.

3. Recitations: none.

4. Expected class size: 20.

5. This course is not offered regularly.  THIS IS THE FIRST

TIME THIS COURSE HAS BEEN OFFERED IN OVER FIVE 

YEARS.