Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

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ART200ZA(芸術学 / Art studies 200)
Japanese Popular Culture

Kukhee Choo

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies
Attached documents
Year 2024
Class code A6213
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 秋学期授業/Fall
Day/Period 金2/Fri.2
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name 市外濠‐S404
Grade 2~4
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes) 制度ウェブサイトの3.科目別の注意事項(1)GIS主催科目の履修上の注意を参照すること。
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Duplicate Subjects Taken Under Previous Class Title
Category (commenced 2024 onwards) 200-level Intermediate Courses(中級)
Category (commenced 2020-2023) 200-level Intermediate Courses(中級)
Category (commenced 2016-2019) 200-level Intermediate Courses
Arts and Literature

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Outline and objectives

When asked to speak about Japan, individuals often turn to pop-cultural phenomena, such as manga, anime, or cosplay. This implies a link between culture and nation that is vital, yet ambiguous. What do folks mean when they say they like Japanese culture? Why has Japan become so popular?

Drawing on cultural and media studies, this course will explore the historical and theoretical study of Japanese popular culture. Lectures and discussions will engage with media forms and case studies from many eras, covering topics ranging from Takarazuka theater and pre-war radio culture to anime fandom and the so-called “golden age of Japanese cinema.” The course culminates with students delivering a presentation and submitting an essay on a pop-cultural phenomenon not covered in depth during a class session.

Goal

Students will learn many of the key theories, terms, and arguments of cultural studies, especially as those ideas relate to Japan. Students will practice analyzing, historically contextualizing, and writing about specific pop-cultural phenomena. Students should leave the course with a refined ability to define and discuss abstract concepts such as nation, culture, and what it means for something to be “Japanese.”

Which item of the diploma policy will be obtained by taking this class?

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

Classes will combine lectures, discussions, and student presentations. In addition to reading critical and theoretical texts, students are expected to experience, or refer back to their past experiences with, cultural objects and practices in question, and analyze them in a global context in their final papers. Students will also conduct research for the final paper. Submission of assignments and feedback will be via the Learning Management System. In-class oral feedback will be provided for presentation assignments.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

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

Why study popular culture?

2[対面/face to face]:"Japanese" and Nihonjinron

Yoshino Kosaku "Nihonjinron"

3[対面/face to face]:The Image of Japan

Theories

4[対面/face to face]:Visualizing Modernity

Japanese cinema

5[対面/face to face]:Development of Television

Postwar TV culture and nationalism

6[対面/face to face]:Popular Television Programs

NHK morning dramas, variety programs

7[対面/face to face]:Midterm review

Midterm review

8[対面/face to face]:Popular Music

Jpop and idol power

9[対面/face to face]:"Cute" Culture

Girls culture and Hello Kitty

10[対面/face to face]:Manga

Short history of boys and girls manga

11[対面/face to face]:Anime

Internationalization of Anime

12[対面/face to face]:Otaku culture

Subculture and gender

13[対面/face to face]:Globalization of Japanese Popular Culture

Japan brand strategy

14[対面/face to face]:Final review

Final review

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Students are required to complete reading assignments so that they are ready for class discussions. Students will regularly be asked to summarize and reflect upon the weekly articles. There will be a midterm and final exam. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 3 hours each.

Textbooks

No textbook will be used. Reading materials will be provided by lecturer in PDF format.

References

All reading material will be uploaded to HOPPII.

Grading criteria

Class participation (10%)
Reading assignments (20%)
Asking questions, speaking up during class discussions, and participation behavior (20%)
Midterm exam (20%)
Final exam (30%)

Changes following student comments

Not applicable.

Equipment student needs to prepare

Pen and paper notebook. Students are not allowed to use computers, tablets or smartphones in this class so students must take hand-written notes in class. They must also bring hard copies of the required readings to class.

Others

Do not miss the first class as a selection process may occur. The content of this syllabus may be subject to change.

Prerequisite

None.