ASIAN 2260 - Japanese Pop Culture

(crosslisted) FGSS 2260, PMA 2460, SHUM 2460
(ALC-AS) (CA-AG, LA-AG)

Spring. 3 credits. Student option grading.

K.T. Wong.

Japanese pop culture—anime, manga, video games, music and more—has been a major phenomenon with massive worldwide popularity for the last three decades. In this course, we will explore a wide range of Japanese pop cultural forms, exploring the interactions between different media, Japanese pop culture as global pop culture, and a variety of modes of analyzing visual and audio materials. We will also see how pop cultural works themselves, in their content and form, engage with questions of gender, technology, fandom, nation, and the environment. No prior knowledge of Japanese language, culture, or history required. All readings and screenings will be available in English or with English subtitles. (SC)