FYS501

Japan has created some of the most vibrant films in the world. Breathtaking animation, playful comedies, samurai epics, and groundbreaking silents are all a part of Japan's cinema output. But many students leave high school with a media diet dominated by Hollywood. What can we learn by studying a country's movies from outside that country? How can studying Asian film help break unnoticed patterns of bias in media consumption? This introduction to film studies centers on five prominent Japanese films by major directors. Students learn how to read films beyond narrative, acquiring skills for formal film analysis. Taught in reverse chronological order, students encounter films by greats such as Kurosawa Akira and Ozu Yasujirō. Readings and assignments consider questions of the auteur, film form, film history, and the place of film in Japanese society. Mid-week meetings are set aside for in-class film screenings and advising .

No prior knowledge of Japan or Japanese language needed. Films shown with English subtitles.