ENG 4910 Ninja Films and Literature. August Intersession 08/03/11 to 08/19/11

Transcription

1 ENG 4910 Ninja Films and Literature Syllabus WWW CRN Instructor: Wayne Stein, Ph.D. Professor Office: LA 105J voice mail Fax English Department, University of Central Oklahoma August Intersession 08/03/11 to 08/19/11 Student Information Sheet and Syllabus Attachment Online Course: learn.uco.edu Call IT, (405) if you have any problems, M-F, 9AM-5PM Biography: Being a professor and the Assistant Chair of the English Department, he teaches classes on Asian culture, world literature, and the history of rhetoric. He was awarded the DaVinci Fellow from the Oklahoma's Creativity Think Tank (2008), the ESL Professional of the Year Award from OKTESOL (2003), the Service to the Sanga (Community) Award from the Stillwater OSU Buddhist Society (2003), and various other awards. He has published books and written for newsletters, newspapers, and encyclopedias. Technology Requirements You must have access to and the Internet for this class. Cable or DSL would be better than a regular phone dial up service. ENG Ninja Films & Literature This course examines ninja films and literature, focusing primarily on the Japanese cinema. The ninja as a mythic assassin has become a global cinema influence. Students will identify the conventions of this genre. Furthermore, they will formulate how the philosophies of Shintoism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism are used in such films. We will examine the ninja as an assassin, Robin Hood figure, hero, romantic figure, and as a tragic villain. Finally, students will assess how ninja films became recognized as an influential global phenomenon. Prerequisite(s): ENG 1113 & Eng 1213.

2 Course Objective: We will also examine various historical traditions of ninja lore as a background to understanding the films. Themes such as revenge, honor, hero, justice, and filial piety will also be examined. Thus, students will have a better understanding of Ninja cinema, its literature and how it is part of Japanese culture. Required Books: 1) Cummins,Anthony and Yosie Minami. The True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoniki. Tuttle Press, ) Zoughari, Kacem. The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan. Tuttle Press, ) Yamada, Futaro. Kouga Ninja Scrolls. Del Rey, Required DVDs: If you can find these videos at the video store, great. However, keep in mind that you will be competing with the folks from this class at specific due dates, so be prepared to hunt! Or buy the films! Some films may not be as easy to find. I have created links to Barnes and Noble online because the names of some films have often changed several times. Some of these films are in our UCO library. 1) The Octagon (1980), directed by Eric Karson with Chuck Norris 2) Five Elements Ninja (Shaw Brothers 1982), directed by Chang Cheh 3) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (1990), directed by Steve Barron 4) Azumi (2003), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura 5) Shinobi (2005), directed by Ten Shimoyama 6) Kamui Gaiden: Movie (2009), directed by Yoichi Sai 7) Ninja Assassin (2009), directed by James McTeigue 8) Goemon (2010), directed by Kazuaki Kiriya Alternative films: These are available online or at a movie rental location. 1) Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of the Snow (2002), directed by Tensai Okamura 2) Ninja Terminator (1985), directed by Godfred Ho 3) Machine Girl (2007), directed by Noboru Iguchi Online Sources Taoism: Tao de Ching Confucianism: The Analects Buddhism: Lotus Sutra AND/OR Diamond Sutra

3 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES Transformative learning goals (the Central Six) have been identified as: Discipline Knowledge; Leadership; Problem Solving (Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities); Service Learning and Civic Engagement; Global and Cultural Competencies; and Health and Wellness. This course addresses Leadership, Global, Cultural and Healthy Lifestyles Competencies of the university s transformative learning goals. Leadership competencies are examined in the course. The successful use of armies of ninjas as an intelligence agents of the Shogun changed Japanese history. Any successful leadership must have a good intelligence gathering system. Most ninja wore regular clothing and simply walked into enemy territories disguised to gather intelligence. The ninja were also special forces units who could quickly complete a task and return with their mission accomplished. Comparisons to special forces tactics will be made. Furthermore, this class examines cultural and global competencies. The ninja represent a postmodern syncretic tradition of various folk beliefs of Japan, mixing esoteric religions with Chinese Taoism and the Animism of Shintoism along with Buddhism and Confucianism. While the samurai spirit was modernized in order to make soldiers fit into the new mechanized armies that fought during World War II, the ninja maintained a connection to premodernity and into its feudal world view. Students will be exposed to this rich old world view that actually still occurs in many cultures around the world and which possesses perhaps an alternative approach to our current problems and issues. Finally, students will learn how Ninja were centered in nature and pursued a healthy lifestyle. They were vegetarians for the most part and often practiced esoteric religions like Shingo which valued nature. They had to be able to run faster and longer distances. They had to be able to jump higher. They had to be able to quickly climb trees and walls with ease. This class examines this part of the Ninja lore by showing how their training regiments are still part of Japanese culture and was adopted by samurai and others where meditation and exercise are valued. The art of Ninjitsu still exists today. VISIT DAILY Make it a habit to visit the site daily and read what others write. You can post assignments ahead of time. You can react to other posts. You can answer a question that another student asks if you think you know the answer. By visiting daily, you stay active and engaged. Keep to the subject of the class. In an online class, it is so easy to forget a due date or that the class exists. Be vigorous and show enthusiasm. Do extra work. Don't be average. I know how many times you visit, how many times you post, and how much time you put into the class. WebCT keeps a record of every visit.

4 UCONNECT STATEMENT The University of Central Oklahoma News and Networking Educational Communication Tool is a secure web site providing UCO student, faculty, and administrative staff with up-to-the minute campus communications, single log-on connections to check grades, check schedules, add or drop classes, and access online course information. In a nutshell, UCONNECT is UCO's campus portal. As the official communication tool of the university, students are expected to utilize their UCOnnect and/or WebCT account regularly to remain current of campus information and activities and to receive communication from faculty and administrative offices. For additional information contact ADA Statement regarding special accommodations: The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must contact the assistant director of Disability Support Services, Kim Fields, in room 309 of the Nigh University Center, (405) It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor as soon as possible after the DSS has verified the need for accommodations to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Turnitin.com Plagiarism Syllabus Statement UCO subscribes to the Turnitin.com plagiarism prevention service. Students agree that by taking this course, all required assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted assignments will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com restricted access reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such assignments. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com website. Turnitin.com is just one of various plagiarism prevention tools and methods which may be utilized by your faculty instructor during the terms of the semesters. In the UCO Student Handbook, there is a process for contesting any plagiarism allegations against you. Keep in mind: Sometimes turnitin.com will not be accessible for a few minutes. Try again. You might have to close the browser and reopen. Students can submit multiple times until midnight of the due date. The previous submission will be deleted. After midnight, only one submission is possible. Late papers can be submitted but points will be taken off. Instructor's comments will be available on submitted papers.

5 Originality I reward effort and originality. To copy or use someone else's work as your own is not a wise endeavor in this class, or to modify another author's work without giving that person credit is a form of thief, an academic crime. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Turnitin.com is both a plagiarism detection site and a plagiarism prevention site. After you post your assignment, you can check the originality report. If you did not complete the documentation or paraphrasing correct, it will show. You can correct it and simply re-submit. You cannot re-submit on late paper or after the due date, so it is in your best interest to not wait until the last minute. Attendance Policy Since this is a cyber class, we meet only through cyberspace. Students do not attend a class, but students do have specific due dates, and midnight, central standard time, is the exact time for each due date. It is not my job to remind you when the class started. You enrolled in the class, so you should know when it starts. Late Assignment Policy Anything posted after the due time will have points deducted: ten points a day. Students will not be reminded that a due date is coming up, nor will a student be contacted if an assignment has not been posted. Students can confirm that the assignment has been submitted. What a student sees is what an instructor sees. If it isn't there, then it wasn't posted. So double check to see if it is uploaded. Sometimes papers are not loaded properly. Contact the instructor before an assignment is due if any problems arise to cause one to miss the due date. NEED HELP? Ask questions to the class in WebCT. If you have a question about the class, go to WebCT and ask any question. Anyone can answer the question. I will also add feedback here. Give the instructor 24 hours to respond to messages. However, messages sent from Friday afternoon to Sunday will be examined on Monday. Also someone from class may answer too. the instructor if it is more personal, send an to me. Give the instructor 24 hours to respond to messages. However, messages sent from Friday afternoon to Sunday will be examined on Monday. ONLINE TIME FACTOR: Since this is a cyber class, we meet only through cyberspace. Students have specific due dates, and midnight, central standard time, is the exact time for each due date. Students will not be reminded that a due date is coming up, nor will a student be contacted if an assignment has not been posted. Contact the instructor before or when an assignment is due if any problems arise to cause one to miss the due date. Weather Problems Lightning strikes can cause a computer to crash and assignments to be lost. Turn off the computer. You can turn your paper in late with no points taken off if an electrical storm occurs. When the storm passes, me if it is going to be late. Be sure to write on the paper turned in that a thunder storm occurred. What is plan B? If your computer crashes, you must be able to continue with the class and access the Internet. Kinkos is open 24 hours. Someone you know has computer access. Always have an extra printed copy.

6 CREATE A PAPER FOLDER. KILL THE TREES! Put everything into the folder. W and I PRINT OUT THE SYLLABUS. PRINT OUT A COPY OF ALL ASSIGNMENTS. PRINT OUT DRAFTS OF ASSIGNMENTS. PRINT OUT NOTES. This instructor cannot give a student the grade of "W" nor will the grade of "I" be given if more than one assignment is missing. The grade of "I" is given only if it is the last assignment and if you have a written excuse from a doctor, a funeral or some other documented event. You have one semester to make up this grade. I must be informed before the due date that an assignment is not being turned in and that you have medical problems. Have someone contact me. You must sign a document in my office! Emergency Withdrawal It is your responsibility to withdraw from class if you cannot complete the work or if some unexpected problems arise. If the withdraw date has passed, then you must complete an emergency withdrawal. Please go to the enrollment to see if you qualify. Technical Problems WebCT is not always stable. You may not be able complete your reaction in time and might be kicked off, or you might submit to post and later find out your post is NOT there. After you post, be sure to double checked to see if it was posted. WORD (or Word Perfect) FIRST I would suggest you type all assignments and even messages in Word first and save it. Then copy and paste into WebCT. WebCT tends to log you out if you have not been active. Even for your WebCT reactions, craft or cook it in Word, and then copy and paste it into the discussion board. Impress me. Time Management: Wisdom from the Procrastinating Idiots (who failed to plan) PLAN AHEAD. All assignments are listed. Since the winter break can be a busy time with Christmas and New Years, when possible try to finish assignments ahead of time or complete all assignments for the week during the weekend. If possible asked to be excused from family duties at times when you finish you key projects. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to do a report because life often happens and gets in the way. Do extra work when you have time. Unexpected visits, your computer crashes, family illnesses can and do occur. So make it a habit to finish early.

7 Assignments: Students are required to do Discussion Posts Hachi Haiku Assignment Shinobi Report (Value) Due Dates (20%) Daily M-F (30%) Start of 2nd Week (50%) Last day Grading Scale A= B= C= D= F= below 60 Discussion Posts Each week, written entries will be required. These entries cannot be made up. If a student misses one or two entries, the student's overall average for missing these entries will not be affected much. Take off 10 points a day. A) React to films, literature or questions. Relate passages from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan to the films and literature we read for the class. Write at least 250 words. Take off 10 points a day for being late. Use standard written English and complete sentences. These entries will be about the readings and films. Grades will be given at the end of the semester for these posts. B) Respond to another student s post (at least 50 words). Due the next day after everyone posted. Hachi Haiku Assignment, written assignment Write 8 haiku poems. Add a brief introduction and a conclusion, minimum 250 words total, excluding the poems. Feel free to write extra poems and exceed the 250 word count. Take off 10 points a day for being late.

8 The haiku master, Matsuo Basho ( ), is considered one of the great zen poets of Japan. However, according to some, he was a secret ninja and his haiku were written as codes for other ninjas. Keep in mind he was born in Iga province, the legendary place of the Iga ninja. Write ten ninja poem and a brief introduction to your poems. These poems should reflect some theme like honor. You can become one of the ninja that you read or saw in a film. For example, you can write about shikawa Goemon as a ghost, and even write a haiku about his death in boiling water. Or create a super science fiction ninja. Or just make up your own Oklahoma ninja. Read more of Basho s poems online. Google it. Example, a Basho poem: Death Poem Line 1 5 syllables Sick on my journey, Line 2 7 syllables only my dreams will wander Line 3 5 syllables these desolate moors

9 Shinobi Report, at least 3 pages, at least 5 sources, MLA Style Examine at least two ninja works that we explored for this course. You can, of course, mention other works (films or texts). Also find scholarly sources to supports your report. Often "A" papers contain the most research, both in quality and quantity. Sources to consider: Notes. Read the class notes. Other student reactions. Use a reaction to support your focus. Research. Always do more research! In your report, quote passages from these two texts: 1) Cummins, Anthony and Yosie Minami. The True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive Translation of the Shoniki. Tuttle Press, ) Zoughari, Kacem. The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan. Tuttle Press, Find a focus for your comparison. Here are some themes you can focus on in your report. Feel free to write about some other focus. Western Ninja. Examine how is the Western ninja differs from the Japanese ninja. The Octagon (1980), directed by Eric Karson with Chuck Norris Ninja Terminator (1985), directed by Godfred Ho Ninja Assassin (2009), directed by James McTeigue Ninja as Peasant. Show how the film criticizes society and favors the poor. Kamui Gaiden: Movie (2009), directed by Yoichi Sai Ninja as a Robin Hood figure. Show how the ninja is portrayed as a heroic thief. Goemon (2010), directed by Kazuaki Kiriya Anime and Cartoon Ninja. Compare the Japanese anime ninja to the American cartoon ninja. Examine some of the major differences. Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of the Snow (2002), directed by Tensai Okamura Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (1990), directed by Steve Barron

10 Chinese Ninja. Show how the ninja is used in wuxia or kung fu films of Hong Kong when compared to Japanese or American ninjas. Five Elements Ninja (Shaw Brothers 1982 ), directed by Chang Cheh Kunoishi (Women Ninja). Compare how are kunoishi are different from their male counterparts. Azumi (2003), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura Machine Girl (2007), directed by Noboru Iguchi Romantic Ninja. Examine the Koga Clan compared to the Iga Clan of ninja. Show how this tale is similar to the Romeo and Juliet tale. Shinobi (2005), directed by Ten Shimoyama Yamada, Futaro. Kouga Ninja Scrolls. Del Rey, Find your own focus or modify some of the suggested ones above. Ninja Goemon, being boiled alive, while trying to hold up his son.

11 Course Schedule: Day 1 Objectives: Wed Introduction, syllabus, policies, requirements. Knowing the genres of samurai and ninja cinema Appreciating the aesthetics / Samsara of Assassin films. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Buy the books and start reading. Enter the Western Ninja Discussion Post: A) What are the conventions of the typical ninja film? How does The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan describe the ninja? Quote key passages and their pages numbers, using MLA style. B) Watch DVD: The Octagon (1980), with Chuck Norris. How does this film demonstrate these conventions? Review: Genres and Aesthetics of Samurai /Ninja films.

12 Objectives: Day 2 Examining a brief history of ninja Understanding the ninja as peasant. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Ninja as Peasant. Thurs Watch Kamui Gaiden: Movie (2009) Discussion Post. How is this film a bit different from the average ninja film? Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the film. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Review: History and ninja as peasant. Objectives: Fri: Day 3 Defining the supernatural or strange in Ninja lore Understanding the importance of ninja as good thief. Examine the myth of Goemon. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Ninja as Robin Hood. Discussion Post. DVD. Watch Goemon (2010) directed by Kazuaki Kiriya.Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the movie. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Review: The Supernatural / Strange, good thief, the myth of Goemon.

13 Objectives: Mon: Day 4 Knowing the contributions of Naruto. Understanding Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The defining characteristics of haiku Read the book Shoniki, and notes to prepare for the week! Ninja as Anime and Cartoon Figure. A) Discussion Post. DVD s to watch: Naruto and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the films. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. B) Discussion Post. Hachi Haiku Assignment is due today. Review: Naruto, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and haiku. Prepare: Objectives: Tues: Day 5 Being aware of the contributions of Cheng Cheh. Understanding the image of Shaw Brothers films. Examining the genres of Wuxia and Kung fu. Describing the way of the ninja by the text, Shiniki. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Ninja as Chinese Action Hero DVD Watch Five Element Ninja, directed by Cheng Cheh. Discussion Post. Examine how Cheng Cheh uses the ninja for this kung fu film. Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the film. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Review: Cheng Cheh, Shaw Brothers, Wuxia, Kung Fu, and Shiniki.

14 Objectives: Wed: Day 6 Appreciating the contributions of women ninja. Understanding Azumi and Machine Girl. Approaching the films of yakuza. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Kunoishi, Ninja as Female Protagonist. Discussion Post. DV Watch Azumi and Machine Girl Discussion Post. Explore the traits of the female ninja as found in these films. Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the book. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Review: Lau Kar Leung, Wong Fey Hung and the Shaw Brothers films. Objectives: Thurs: Day 7 Understanding the Iga vs Koga Clan. Approaching the ninja as romantic figure. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Ninja as Romantic Figure. Discussion Post. Watch Shinobi (DVD) and read Futaro s Kouga Ninja Scrolls (manga). How is this narrative similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet? Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the film and manga. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Shinobi Report Due

15 Objectives: Fri. Day 8 Examining the lasting effects of global Ninja myth. Understanding ninja as proto- mercenary involved in guerilla warfare. Read the notes to prepare for the week! Return: Ninja as Western Hero Discussion Post. Watch Ninja Assassin (2009). Be sure to quote something from The Ninja: Ancient Shadow Warriors of Japan and apply it to the DVD. Provide pages numbers in MLA style. Review: Global ninja myth, proto-mercenary. NOTE: August 15-18, Mon Thurs No assignments due. Work on writing the last report Last Day, Friday, August 19, 2011 Ninja Report Due