World Literature: Japanese Popular Culture

Special topics in literary studies. Individual courses might include comparative study of particular literary genres, periods, authors or works from varied international literatures.

Open to degree and PACE students; Synchronous online

Over the past two decades anime, manga, video games, toys, J-pop music, and horror films, among other cultural and consumer products from Japan, have garnered a larger presence in the American, as well as global, popular culture scene. What are some of the reasons for this increased interest? In what ways has the age of globalization and increasing digital media flows altered the way fans of Anime communicate with each other across national borders? What accounts for differences in how anime and collectible items such as Hello Kitty accessories have been marketed in the US as opposed to Japan? Through the course readings and discussions, we will examine these and other questions concerning Japanese popular culture in the age of globalization. Students will be introduced to key concepts and questions concerning Japanese popular culture global flows and be given the opportunity to apply insights gained through course readings, lectures, and discussions to a Japanese popular culture research project of their own design.

Students are expected to complete the reading assignments before coming to class and participate in the class discussions. Students will write three module essays and one final group presentation that integrates their understanding of the three module themes. The three learning modules are 1. Cool Japan, Soft Power, & Localization, 2. Kawaii-cute studies, 3. Narrative and Database Consumption.

Attendance (10%), Essay #1 (10%), Essay #2 (15%), Essay #3 (15%), Final Presentation #4 (20%), Participation (30%)