Students acquire skill in reading works from modern Japanese literature in the original language, and learn how to discuss literature in Japanese – in written essays, informal class discussions, and formal oral presentation. Building on skills from JAPN355 and other 400-level courses, students read texts of greater length and complexity. Texts include short stories by Murakami Haruki, excerpts from Tezuka Osamu’s autobiography, miscellanies by Endō Shūsaku and the beginning of a Meiji or Taisho period novel. Class work includes reading the Japanese text aloud and offering a translation, with discussion of the text’s meaning and significance in Japanese. Each student will be encouraged to find their own interpretation of the text and will have the opportunity to share their thoughts with the class. Honors students will also be able to pursue their own research interests with regard to Japanese literature.