EALC 302 - Major Seminar on Japan

Institution:

University of Pennsylvania

Subject:

Description:

Staff. Prerequisite(s): EALC 002. No language required for undergraduates. A number of the phenomena that gave birth to the name "Cool Japan" involve role-playing and virtual worlds: games, electronic pets, cosplay. In this course we will consider the cultures and sub-cultures of play and parody in Japan. We will ask: Why does Japanese fantasy seem to have a special appeal How can we distinguish reality from fantasy Are there historical roots for what we see today What are some transnational sources and issues, including North American and other East Asian comparisons How have scholars viewed these aspects of Japan We will pay particular attention to theories of Japanese identity, with their suggestions that Japan has a crisis of identity or that Japanese seek virtual identities because they have no real ones. Class sessions will emphasize common readings and discussion at first, then you will shape the paths we explore as each person works on an individual research project. Topics for research may include any aspect of the reality or fantasy of Japan. All readings are in English.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.upenn.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 898-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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