LLEA 33316 - Introduction to Japanese Popular Culture

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

East Asian Lang & Lit

Description:

This course will examine postwar Japanese popular culture using the theories and methods of cultural studies, media studies and gender studies. We will explore some of the primary sites of postwar popular culture across media, as well as emphasizing the theoretical distinctions between those media. Rather than chronological order, the course will be grouped into sections by media, including novels, film, television, manga, and anime. As we discuss issues specific to each of these media and across genres, however, our discussion will be framed by some key questions: What was the role of popular culture in defining a national identity in the postwar? What was the role of foreign influences, most importantly, American pop culture? How have popular culture texts spoken to and defined specific audiences (for instance, teenagers, women, non-Japanese)? The goals of this course are to gain familiarity with some key texts in postwar Japan, and to learn various methods of analyzing those texts. As we approach each medium, we will be using film, television, and comics theories to analyze them. In order to gain proficiency in the academic analysis of popular culture, you will use those theories in writing and in a formal oral presentation. Students who have completed the first semester of third year Japanese or higher, or who possess equivalent Japanese language skills, are eligible to sign up for an additional one credit section. The Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC) section will meet for one hour once a week for discussion of course material in Japanese. Students will also read selections of course material in the original, and submit three short (2-3 page) writing assignments.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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