Self and Culture: Studies in Japanese and American Literature and Cinema

Description

Modernity in the west established the concept of a human being as a thinking subject whose existence alone cannot be questioned through Descartes' seminal discourse Meditations in First Philosophy. Though occasionally under attack, the concept of autonomous thinking and perceiving the subject as the center of reality—as the source of truth—has been the dominant ideology in the west since the eighteenth century, particularly in the United States. These days, due to our globalized communication and cultural exchanges, we have begun to question many ideas that have been taken for granted. The concept of self is no exception.

It is often said that American and Japanese cultures represent mirror images of human values. For instance, while American culture emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and self-autonomy, Japanese culture dictates group cohesion and harmony. Certainly, the reality is not as simple as these stereotypes indicate; nevertheless, this dichotomized comparative cultural frame presents an interesting context in which we can explore the concept of self. We will explore the concept of self through the critical examination of American and Japanese literature, cinema and popular media.

At the beginning of the quarter, students will be introduced to the rudiments of film analysis in order to develop a more critical attitude toward the film-viewing experience. Students will also be introduced to major literary theories in order to familiarize themselves with varied approaches to the interpretation of literature. Then, students will examine representations of individual selves and cultures in American and Japanese literature through seminars and critical writings, with weekly film viewing and film seminars to facilitate a deeper exploration of the topics and issues presented in the literary works.