Gender and Culture: Japanese and American Literature, Cinema and Popular Culture

Description

Due to globalized communication, we have become increasingly aware that there may be multiple perspectives on reality. We now question the reality that we perceive as an absolute and universal reality. We wonder if that ultimate reality is or has ever been accessible to human consciousness. In short, we have begun to understand that the reality that we see is heavily colored by the social and cultural ideologies that have been instilled in us from birth by means of the language we use, the culture we are raised in, the education we receive and the mass media that bombards us. The concept of gender is no exception. It is ultimately a constructed reality.

It is often said that American and Japanese cultures represent diametrically opposed values in many aspects of human behaviors and customs. While Japanese women are valued most as wives and mothers, the traditional gender roles, American women are valued as wage earners and sex partners. Needless to say, such a stereotypical view of gender is becoming rapidly outdated in Japan as well as in the United States. Nevertheless, this dichotomized cross-cultural frame presents an illuminating context in which we can explore gender issues. In this program, we explore the concept of gender through a critical examination of anthropological, sociological and psychological articles, as well as American and Japanese literature, cinema and popular culture.

At the beginning of the quarter, students will be introduced to the rudiments of film analysis to develop a more critical attitude toward the film-viewing experience as well as major literary theories in order to become aware of varied approaches to literary analysis and interpretation. After familiarizing themselves with these analytical and theoretical foundations, students will examine representations of gender and culture, as well as their interrelationships, through lectures, workshops, book and film seminars and expository writings.