ASIA261
Cultural History of Japan: From Jōmon Pottery to Manga
Subject code
ASIA
Course Number
261
Department(s)
Instructor(s)
Department/Program Faculty
Course Long Title
Cultural History of Japan: From Jōmon Pottery to Manga
Cross Listed Courses
Description
This course starts with two questions: What is cultural history? Has there been just one culture in the history of the Japanese isles? The course considers cultural features of the prehistoric Japanese isles and then explores the development of aristocratic, warrior, and mercantile cultures in premodern and early modern Japan, focusing on literature, the arts, and religion. The course then considers culture in modern Japan. How have the premodern arts informed the cultural development of modern Japan? How does popular culture reflect earlier cultural concerns while reformulating them in novel ways? The aim of the course is to promote critical engagement with Japanese cultures. Readings are in English, and no previous familiarity with Japanese culture is required.
Modes of Inquiry
Analysis and Critique [AC], Historical and Social Inquiry [HS]
Writing Credit
No writing credit
INDS Program Relationship
IDAS - ASIA Program
GEC This Course Belongs To
-