ATS3951 · Japanese popular culture and identity

Overview

In this capstone unit you will consolidate general knowledge about Japan and its popular culture by approaching popular cultures as a means by which personal and national identities are constructed. You will consider popular culture as a directive as well as a reflection of collective ideology. The genre of manga and anime, television and film, music, fashion and food cultures provide the contexts for you to deepen your understanding of Japan's postwar cultural history. You will also explore the role of new media and technology in society; personal identity as expressed through consumption and lifestyle; and important cultural expressions of socio-political resistance to hegemony.

Areas of study: Global asia Japanese studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. identify genre-specific features of Japanese language in popular culture and analyse the ways in which they reflect and construct the social meanings embedded in the genre;
2. express ideas about Japanese culture and society verbally and in writing in sophisticated and nuanced ways;
3. critique Japanese popular cultural representations, problematise social concepts and develop your own critical frameworks for understanding these genres;
4. demonstrate cross-cultural and inter-cultural competence by reflecting on meanings in Japanese culture associated with your own popular culture and national identity;
5. demonstrate a world view and ethical values by exploring social issues in Japanese culture and reflecting on your social values, respect for diversity and the ethical conduct and communication of research;
6. utilise research skills and critical thinking, use available technologies, and demonstrate a personal voice in independent research.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.