Japn 308: Japanese Pop Culture
Course Description:
This course explores post WWII Japanese music, literature, artistic media, and hi-tech products. Investigates social themes ranging from post-holocaust Japanese hedonism to childhood fantasies by looking at Manga comic books, Anime animated movies, and popular music from Enka to J-Pop to Karaoke, as well as fashion and style, popular technology, consumerism, and environmental issues. Explores the evolution of pop culture and its impact on society. Taught in English. (Credit/No Credit Available)
Course Narrative:
If there was any class that better fit why I took the Japanese major in the first place, it would have to be this one. Pop culture is key for many people to see a completely different side of Japan. After discussing with classmate who were not Japanese majors or were interested in the language, I found that they were very intrigued with the Pop culture of Japan. This class covered an array of topics, such as food, movies, books, and anything that was widespread and talked about in Japan. We defined pop culture as widespread ideas, attributes, or perspectives throughout a society. We were able to explore this subject though reading discussions and media clips provided to see with our eyes the phenomenon occurring. This class we were required to write an essay on a movie we watched in class called Swing Girls, and compare certain aspects of Japanese culture that were different from ours. (Swing Girls Essay) We had two presentations required, one being a group presentation on a topic we were interested collectively were Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPG PowerPoint). We also had an individual presentation on a pop culture topic we were interested in (Pokémon PowerPoint) and were required to research on write our final paper on it as well. (Pokémon Paper) For me, Pokémon was the number one pop culture influence to get me interested in Japanese in the first place. I felt by doing this topic, I was able to finally show my respect for this powerful sensation and pay attribute to it.
This course explores post WWII Japanese music, literature, artistic media, and hi-tech products. Investigates social themes ranging from post-holocaust Japanese hedonism to childhood fantasies by looking at Manga comic books, Anime animated movies, and popular music from Enka to J-Pop to Karaoke, as well as fashion and style, popular technology, consumerism, and environmental issues. Explores the evolution of pop culture and its impact on society. Taught in English. (Credit/No Credit Available)
Course Narrative:
If there was any class that better fit why I took the Japanese major in the first place, it would have to be this one. Pop culture is key for many people to see a completely different side of Japan. After discussing with classmate who were not Japanese majors or were interested in the language, I found that they were very intrigued with the Pop culture of Japan. This class covered an array of topics, such as food, movies, books, and anything that was widespread and talked about in Japan. We defined pop culture as widespread ideas, attributes, or perspectives throughout a society. We were able to explore this subject though reading discussions and media clips provided to see with our eyes the phenomenon occurring. This class we were required to write an essay on a movie we watched in class called Swing Girls, and compare certain aspects of Japanese culture that were different from ours. (Swing Girls Essay) We had two presentations required, one being a group presentation on a topic we were interested collectively were Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPG PowerPoint). We also had an individual presentation on a pop culture topic we were interested in (Pokémon PowerPoint) and were required to research on write our final paper on it as well. (Pokémon Paper) For me, Pokémon was the number one pop culture influence to get me interested in Japanese in the first place. I felt by doing this topic, I was able to finally show my respect for this powerful sensation and pay attribute to it.
japn_308_swing_girls_movie_analysis.pdf | |
File Size: | 112 kb |
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japn_308_presentation_group.pdf | |
File Size: | 1290 kb |
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japn_308_powerpoint_individual.pdf | |
File Size: | 732 kb |
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japn_308_final_paper.pdf | |
File Size: | 168 kb |
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