Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
This course aims to introduce students to contemporary East Asia and South Asia through contemporary literature selections from India, China and Japan. Suggesting that literary production is a central key in developing nuanced and multi-layered understandings of regions, the course offers perspectives often sidelined in studies focused on political economy alone. As the finest literary texts invariably reflect depth and sensitivity in engaging with exactly these processes, they deserve our urgent attention.
Since our course design is predicated on the assumption that literature offers unique, unexpected and deep insights into societal processes, cultures, histories and worldviews, it must be seen as supplementing more mainstream courses. As such, our aim is not to evaluate texts from the standpoint of literary criticism, but to raise questions, interrogate received wisdom, and develop altogether fresh insights on Asian cultures and societies. Wherever they exist, it is perfectly okay for students to read Turkish translations of the texts. However, students are advised to familiarize themselves with the English texts, especially in the case of the Indian novels.
The reading selections are therefore made with a view to raising questions or clarifying cultural or historical conundrums. In facilitating engagement with exceptional contemporary literature to generate discussion and debate, the course will further strengthen students’ critical thinking and analytical skills. By the end of the course, students are likely to gain unusual insights and perspectives on the distinct geographies and the rich Asian socio-cultural contexts they read about elsewhere.