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 are covered more widely whereas some do not even make it to mainstream media outlets.
Have you heard of "Las Tesis"? Do you know "Greta Thunberg"? Do you know the "#metoo" movement? What about the "#kutoo" campaign? How much do you know about the COVID situation around the world?
Countries have dominant ideologies that are formulated through institutions of power and diffused through mainstream media. Consequently, we are subject to stereotypical media representations formulated by the dominant culture and ideology that we live in. This determines what we are informed about and in which way.
This class is designed for students to have media literacy through the analysis of identity formation linked to race, ethnicity, and gender in Japan.
Repetitive and stereotypical media representations have a significant impact on how we think about different events, minority groups or subcultures. Lectures will combine theories from cultural studies, media studies and gender studies to analyze stereotypical representations in mainstream media outlets in Japan.
Through this class, students will gain academic skills to identify these stereotypical media representations and to examine these from a critical perspective.

Each class will start with a theoretical introduction from either cultural studies, media studies or gender, followed by discussion on the media chosen by students.
The analysis of media will allow students to understand dynamics of media representations in Japan and to differentiate between mainstream ideology versus minorities and subcultures.
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 the media and how mainstream ideas are reproduced and strengthened through media representations.

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 the beginning of each class whereas individual feedback on assignments and quizzes will be provided through Google Classroom system. Students who prefer to submit assignments and exams through HOPPII should contact the lecturer to receive feedback during office hours or by e-mail.
There will be discussion sessions during which students will have the opportunity to work in small groups and discuss theories learned in class before the mid-term and the final exams.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：オンライン/online

※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[オンライン/online]：Representation Theory

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

3[オンライン/online]：Media Literacy

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

4[オンライン/online]：Gender I

Femininity in Japan.

5[オンライン/online]：Gender II

Masculinity in Japan.

6[オンライン/online]：Gender III

Gender roles and child rearing in Japan.

7[オンライン/online]：Gender IV: Sexuality

Sexuality and sex education in Japan.

8[オンライン/online]：Discussion Session I

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

9[オンライン/online]：Race and Ethnicity I

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

10[オンライン/online]：Race and Ethnicity II

Representation of foreign workers in Japanese media.

11[オンライン/online]：Race and Ethnicity III

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

12[オンライン/online]：Race and Ethnicity IV

Media Representations of Muslims in Japan

13[オンライン/online]：Discussion Session II

Group Discussions on race and identity representations in Japanese media.

14 [オンライン/online]：Final Exam and Wrap-up

Summary and final exam.

Actively participating in all class discussions is essential to doing well in this course. Students are expected to prepare by doing all the required reading assignments before coming to class. The average study time outside of class per week would be roughly 2 hours.

All reading assignments and other materials will be made available on Google Drive due to Covid situation.

•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) Homework (10%)
(3) Discussion Sessions (30%)
(4) Midterm Assignment (25%)
(5) Final Assignment(25%)
*More information regarding the syllabus will be provided on the first day of class.

None.

None.