Japan: From Emperors to Anime
| Course Code | GNED-240 |
|---|---|
| Lecture hours per week | |
| Lab hours per week | |
| Course Availability | Open |
| Description | Being one of the largest economies in the world, Japan is known for its robust automotive industry and manufacturing high-tech electronics. In recent years its cultural influence has undoubtedly become a global phenomenon. Consumption of Japanese popular culture has become increasingly prevalent beyond Asia; An array of cultural products such as manga (comic books), anime (animated shows), and video games are exported worldwide, proliferating its demand for mass consumption. Over the course of the term, students will examine these sites of cultural production in the context of Japanese post-war history and politics. The course provides the foundational knowledge of the society and invites the students to engage in questions such as, “What is the role of the emperor today?” and “What really happened when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki?” Learners will explore how these historical events have helped shape the country that it is today: a global superpower that gave birth to Hello Kitty and advanced technologies. |