JAP520 Japanese Media Culture

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2018
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Igor Pruša, Ph.D. et Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jiří Matela, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Luboš Bělka, CSc.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Monday 14:10–17:25 J22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 75 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/75, only registered: 0/75, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/75
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course provides an introduction to the mediated realms of contemporary Japanese culture. On the one hand, we will discuss various phenomena related to Japanese subcultures - e.g. the fandom of otaku, the space of Akihabara, and the practice of maid cafés. On the other hand, we will touch upon some larger topics that relate to consuming media culture as such - e.g. the role of the Japanese media, the spread of celebrities and anti-heroes, or the function of scandal in Japanese society. The main objectives of the course are to discuss various layers within the mediated culture in contemporary Japan, and to enable students to conduct a critical analysis of various cultural phenomena in a globalized non-Western context.
Syllabus
  • 1. Blok Ia: Introduction (a): course structure, literature preview
  • 2. Blok Ib: Introduction (b): what is „culture“?
  • 3. Blok IIa: The worlds of Japanese popular culture
  • 4. Blok IIb: The worlds of Japanese subculture
  • 5. Blok IIIa: Critical Analysis: otaku, moe, and kawaii
  • 6. Blok IIIb: Case study: Akihabara and maid cafes
  • 7. Blok IVa: Critical Analysis: the Japanese mediascape
  • 8. Blok IVb: Case study: Japanese celebrity scandal
  • 9. Blok Va: Hero and Antihero in Japanese fiction
  • 10. Blok Vb: Guest speaker (TBA)
  • 11. Blok VIa: Conclusion (a): Course summary
  • 12. Blok VIb: Conclusion (b): Test/Paper, discussion
Literature
    recommended literature
  • SUGIMOTO, Yoshio. An introduction to Japanese society. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. xiii, 316. ISBN 0521529255. 2003. info
  • Japanese culture and behavior. Edited by Takie Sugiyama Lebra - William P. Lebra. Rev. ed. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. xix, 428. ISBN 0824810554. 1986. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, work with primary and secondary sources, use of audiovisual materials.
Assessment methods
Written test or final paper.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
General note: Předmět je určen i pro studenty mimo mateřské obory.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2018, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2018/JAP520