JAPANESE 241 : Japanese Popular Culture since 1945

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines post-1945 Japanese popular culture such as manga, anime, music and literature, from the perspective of how they have dealt with issues such as national/cultural identity, 'race', war memory, gender and globalisation. The historical and political context of each text and cultural practice is emphasised. No knowledge of Japanese language required.

Course Overview

This course examines Japanese popular culture as a historically situated socio-cultural practice. We will focus on the relationship between popular culture (as commodity, text and practice) and Japanese history and society. How does popular culture reflect the socio-political and material contexts in which it is produced? In what way does pop culture challenge and/or complicate norms and values of the society? What ideology is communicated via narrative and visual forms of popular cultural products, and how do consumers "read" them? We will address such questions in the context of the post-war cultural hegemony of the United States and 21st C cultural globalization. Modules include "Popular Cutlure and War memory," "Japan and its Others," Gender in Popular Cutlure."

While essay writing is a major component of the course, there will also be an emphasis on discussion and collaboration. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion (both in lectures and tutorials) and bring their own knowledge and ideas to the course. In group presentation, you will be asked to work with others in your group to apply/develop what you have learned in the course to a new popular cultural text of your choice. 

While no prior study of Japan or Japanese language is required, JAPANESE150 and/or ASIAN100 would serve as useful preparation for this course.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 45 points in BA courses Restriction: JAPANESE 341

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Gain basic knowledge of several key elements in post-war Japanese popular culture. (Capability 1.1)
  2. To be able to explain ways in which post-war Japanese popular culture have been shaped by their social and historical context. (Capability 1.1 and 2.3)
  3. Have the ability to employ vocabulary, concepts and methods appropriate to the study of post-war Japanese popular culture. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  4. Be able to formulate one's own argument on post-war Japanese popular culture and their socio-historical contexts through presentation, reading, writing and class discussion. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  5. Develop appreciation of cultural forms other than one's own. (Capability 1.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Group & Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week on each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is NOT available for students studying remotely, outside Auckland or offshore in 2023.

All timetabled live lectures will be recorded and available via Canvas.

Attendance is required at scheduled tutorials / seminars / discussion classes to receive credit for some components of the course.

Due to their interactive nature, the above sessions will not be available as recordings.

Some course activities may be delivered on-line.

Attendance on campus is required for tests and exams.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

In 2023, this course will be 100% coursework.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 21/10/2022 04:17 p.m.