Students

JPS 223 – Intertextuality and the Tale of Genji

2015 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Mio Bryce
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines intertextuality in Japanese literature and other art forms, focusing on the Japanese classical masterpiece 'The Tale of Genji' from the early eleventh century. The novel itself is rich in intertextuality derived widely from Japanese and Chinese resources. It has also inspired a diverse range of art and literature in later periods, such as poems, stage performances (Noh, Takarazuka), novels, manga/anime and other visual media. Through this unit, students are introduced to major Japanese literary works as well as 'The Tale of Genji'. This unit is conducted in English, although some Japanese materials may be included with English translations or explanations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

General Assessment Information

Assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assessment task is late. No assessment tasks will be accepted after assessment tasks have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assessment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date. 

If a student is prevented by serious and unavoidable disruption from completing unit requirements in accordance with their ability, they may apply for support under the Disruption to Studies Policy. To access this support, students must notify the university via ask.mq.edu.au. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy for further information (see the link provided in the 'Policies and procedures' section of this unit guide).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Unit Participation 15% Ongoing
Personal Reading Log 15% Ongoing
Group PowerPoint Presentation 15% Once between Weeks 3 and 11
Your Genji Presentation 20% Week 7
Essay Presentation 5% Week 13
2,000-word Essay 30% 22/06/2015

Unit Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%

Unit Participation refers to all activities that demonstrate your commitment to this unit, including your contributions to in-class and online discussions and peer reviews.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Personal Reading Log

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%

This task requires you to post your personal reflection on each week's reading as instructed. Week 8 Reading Log is for an essay abstract and the list of five (5) scholarly references you may include in your essay.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form

Group PowerPoint Presentation

Due: Once between Weeks 3 and 11
Weighting: 15%

The task is for you to conduct robust discussions and research activities. Instructions and marking criteria will be provided in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Your Genji Presentation

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Produce your own creative work inspired by the tale and make a five minute oral presentation. Instructions and marking criteria will be provided in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale

Essay Presentation

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 5%

This task requires you to give a 3-minute presentation on your essay, using two Powerpoint slides. The presentations will be peer-reviewed. Instruction and marking criteria will be provided in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

2,000-word Essay

Due: 22/06/2015
Weighting: 30%

This task requires you to write a 2000 word essay. Instructions and marking criteria will be provided in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing

Delivery and Resources

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

No Textbook or Course Note is required for this unit.

Students will be required to read Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji in any language.

Norma Field's The Splendor of Longing in the Tale of Genji (Princeton University Press, 1987) is strongly recommended, although currently out of print (it is worthwhile to obtain a second-hand copy, if possible. A Japanese translation of the book is also available).

ILearn is an integral part of this unit and can be accessed at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au. Students must have regular, reliable access to a computer and the internet to complete this unit.

Unit Schedule

The unit schedule will be provided in iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form

Assessment tasks

  • Personal Reading Log
  • Your Genji Presentation
  • Essay Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Assessment task

  • 2,000-word Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Participation
  • Personal Reading Log
  • Group PowerPoint Presentation
  • Your Genji Presentation
  • Essay Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an insight into The Tale of Genji, especially its literary and psychological depiction
  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Participation
  • Personal Reading Log
  • Group PowerPoint Presentation
  • Essay Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an insight into the historical, socio-cultural, aesthetic and psychological background of The Tale of Genji, mainly of the Heian noble society
  • Apply the concept of ‘intertextuality’ to understand the creation of The Tale of Genji and diverse art forms and scholarly works inspired by the tale
  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Demonstrate initiative and competence in research, including locating relevant materials and writing in an efficient and timely manner with correct referencing

Assessment tasks

  • Group PowerPoint Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Participation
  • Personal Reading Log
  • Group PowerPoint Presentation
  • Your Genji Presentation
  • Essay Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Generate informed and original analysis of The Tale of Genji and express this in a focused, analytical and cohesive manner in oral and written form
  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Assessment tasks

  • Unit Participation
  • Group PowerPoint Presentation
  • Essay Presentation
  • 2,000-word Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Enhance interpersonal communication skills through group work and in-class and online discussions

Assessment task

  • Group PowerPoint Presentation