East Asian Popular Cultures

An examination of different forms of popular culture in East Asian from historical, sociological, anthropological and media studies perspectives. Looking at TV drama, cinema, animation, music, fashion and fast food, the course investigate how popular culture works and how it shapes people's lives. In particular, how are cultural forms communicated and circulated in different places, in regional as well as global contexts and how do local dynamics re-shape the forms? Seeing popular culture as terrains of power struggles and articulation, we will explore how class, gender and national identities are constructed and contested through popular culture that is in turn shaped by these social relationships in specific political and historical contexts.

Cross-listed as: CIN 325, COM 325, EAS 325

032877