JAPN-3021: Japanese Through Pop Culture

Course Description: Japanese pop culture has been gaining popularity across the world, and popular media such as manga, anime, games, and music serves as a contact point for Japanese language and culture for learners of Japanese. In light of the critical role that popular media culture plays in providing linguistically and culturally rich information, this course is designed to improve pre-advanced or advanced students’ spoken and written communication skills through an examination of the trend and history of Japanese pop culture. Using recent periodicals, audio-visual resources, and written materials drawn from popular media, students will (a) develop knowledge of the historical backgrounds of topics in modern Japanese popular culture while familiarizing themselves with different pop culture genres (e.g., manga, anime, films, TV dramas, songs and music, dance, modern and traditional performing arts, etc.), (b) improve interpretive and interpersonal communication skills while learning advanced vocabulary and expressions, and (c) expand their perspectives on Japanese pop culture and learn to present them in a coherent, persuasive manner. By the end of the course, students should be able to (a) deepen their understanding of Japanese popular media culture, (b) comprehend and enjoy authentic audio-visual as well as written cultural resources, and (c) discuss and present their own thoughts and opinions on issues related to Japanese pop culture. The course requires rigorous participation in class activities, various oral and written assignments/projects, frequent quizzes and tests, and mid-term and final exams.