ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

When you follow media outlets from different countries, you will notice that very similar events or concepts can be elaborated upon in very different ways. Some issues that are covered widely and positively in one country could be ignored or covered negatively in mainstream media of other countries.
This is because societies have dominant ideologies that are formulated through institutions of power and diffused through mainstream media outlets.
Consequently, we are subject to stereotypical media representations formulated by the dominant culture and ideology that we live in.
Repetitive and stereotypical media representations have a significant impact on how we think about ourselves and "others" even if we do not a;ways realize or question these.
Lectures throughout the semester will combine theories from cultural studies, media studies, and gender studies to analyze stereotypical representations in mainstream media outlets of Japan. Through this class, students will gain academic skills to identify stereotypical media representations and to question or challenge these with a critical perspectives.

Each class will be focused on media chosen by students and theoretical introduction from either cultural studies, media studies or gender studies to analyze the media.
The analysis of various media will allow class discussion on mainstream ideas, what is over represented and what is under represented in the media and why.
At the end of the semester, students will be equipped with enough knowledge to identify the discourse formulated by power institutions that sustain dynamics of how minority groups and disadvantaged groups are portrayed in mainstream media. Although difficult to find, sharing positive representations of minority cultures and subcultures in the media are encouraged.

英語 / English

Students are required to participate in class discussion and share their views and ideas with their classmates while respecting different views and cultures. All students are required to actively participate in discussion throughout the semester.
General feedback will be provided at each class whereas individual feedback on weekly homework will be provided through Google Classroom system.
There will be two discussion sessions throughout the semester during which students will have the opportunity to work in small groups and discuss theories learned in class before the mid term exam as well as the final exam.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Introduction to class contents.

2[対面/face to face]：Representation Theory

Representation theory. Minority vs. majority. Stereotypes in the media.

3[対面/face to face]：Media Literacy

Media Literacy Worksheet
1. Description
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
4. Evaluation
5. Engagement

4[対面/face to face]：Gender I

Femininity and masculinity in Japan.

5[対面/face to face]：Gender II

Gender roles and child rearing in Japan.

6[対面/face to face]：Gender III

Sexuality and sex education in Japan.

7[対面/face to face]：Discussion Session I

Social Construction of Gender in Japan and the Gender Gap. The role of mainstream representations in the media.

8[対面/face to face]：Review and mid term exam

Review, summary, and Mid term exam

9[対面/face to face]：Race and Ethnicity I

Theory. Benedict Anderson, "Imagined communities." Representation of Japanese-ness in the media.

10[対面/face to face]：Race and Ethnicity II

Representation of foreign workers in Japanese media.

11[対面/face to face]：Race and Ethnicity III

Representation of foreign spouses and "Half" children in Japanese media

12[対面/face to face]：Race and Ethnicity IV

Media Representations of Muslims in Japan

13[対面/face to face]：Discussion Session II

Group Discussions on race and identity representations in Japanese media.

14 [対面/face to face]：Final Exam and Wrap-up

Summary and final exam.

Actively participating in all class discussions and communication is essential to doing well in this course. Students are expected to read assigned class material. The average study time outside of class per week would be roughly 2 hours.

All reading assignments as well as weekly media choices of students will be made available on Google Drive.

•Baker, C., Jane, E. (2016). Cultural Studies Theory and Practice. Sage publications.
•Campbell, Richard, Christopher R. Martin, and Bettina Fabos. (2017). Media & culture: mass communication in a digital age. 11th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
•Dasgupta, R. (2013). Re-reading the salaryman in Japan crafting masculinities. New York: Routledge.
•Kawano, S., Roberts, G. S. & Orpett Long, S. (Eds). (2014). Capturing contemporary Japan differentiation and uncertainty. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.
•Anderson, B. (1983). Imagined communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism". London, New York: Verso.
•Vogt, G. (2014). Foreign workers in Japan. In The Sage handbook of modern Japanese studies. Babb, J. D. (ed.). (567-582). UK: University of Newcastle.

Students will be evaluated according to the following criteria.
(1) Participation in discussion (10%)
(2) Weekly homework (15%)
(3) Discussion Sessions (20%)
(4) Midterm Assignment (25%)
(5) Final Assignment(30%)

None.

None.