GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This class will provide an introduction to the field of manga studies. Here we will explore how manga operates as a type of media, analyzing manga from a multidisciplinary perspective. This means that we will look at manga from a variety of different perspectives, including its modes of reading/viewing, economics, aesthetics, and political history while considering its place in Japanese society and abroad. We will learn what makes manga specific as a type of media and how that allows us to delve into its particularities. This includes examining how manga mediated different shifts in Japanese society, as we explore the differences in the major manga genres, and how they cover various topics, from gender to memory. Beyond the local, we will ask what manga made outside of Japan can tell us about global the spread of media. We will also ask what manga, a media form that developed from paper and print, can tell us about other issues regarding the digitalization of our world as it moves into new formats for the 21st century.

In addition to teaching the students information about manga, its surrounding cultures, and business practices, this class aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Throughout the semester students will: 1) learn the specific history of manga; 2) how to analyze manga as media; 3) examine how manga interacts with other media and society; 4) explore how to critically engage with manga.

Will be able to gain “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Classes will be lecture-based, with visual material such as clips of films and animation. Students will be asked to have group discussions and analyses on certain themes and specific manga. Each week students will be provided with an academic reading relevant to the topic. These readings will be important background information and/or will be directly addressed as the topic of the lecture and discussion. Lectures will explain in detail and through examples the topic for that class. Discussions based on the lecture will be facilitated by questions from the instructor to help the students explore and develop their critical and analytical skills for that topic. Students will be assessed on their understanding of the lectures and readings through their presentations and papers. Students will receive feedback in class and in written form, based on a grading rubric.

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

Manga or comics?

2[対面/face to face]：Manga's Visuals

Manga's visual language

3[対面/face to face]：Making Manga's History

Are there pre-modern manga?

4[対面/face to face]：Pre-war Manga

Manga in Meiji and Taisho Japan

5[対面/face to face]：Post-war Manga

Tezuka Osamu's legacy

6[対面/face to face]：Media Influences

Manga, cinema, and anime's interactions

7[対面/face to face]：Genres I

Industrial genres: mainstream manga

8[対面/face to face]：Genres II

Shōjo manga and gendered expression

9[対面/face to face]：Genres III

Gekiga and existential themes

10[対面/face to face]：Genres IV

Alternative manga

11[対面/face to face]：Digital Manga

Effects of changing formats

12[対面/face to face]：Global Manga

Manga made outside of Japan

13[対面/face to face]：Student Presentations I

Feedback and preparations for final paper

14[対面/face to face]：Student Presentations II

Feedback and preparations for final paper, wrap-up of semester

Students should complete the assigned readings before each class and study the notes they take in class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

No textbook will be required as readings will be provided by the instructor.

Berndt, Jaqueline, editor. Manga, Comics and Japan: Area Studies as Media Studies. Vol. 156, Orientaliska Studier, 2018, https://orientaliskastudier.se/tidskrifter/156-2/.

Participation 20%
Presentation 40%
Final exam 40%

Not applicable.

None.