Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description
Japanese Animation
Instructor(s): Masako Inamoto, World Languages and Literatures
What is anime and what are its origins? Why does it appeal to audiences beyond Japanese
cultural boundaries? In this seminar, students will explore the world of Japanese
animation, one of the most important and popular cultural products in contemporary
Japan. After examining the origins of anime and its relationship to the traditional
picto-centric culture in Japan, students will study some of the prevailing themes
and genres of anime (i.e., apocalypse, gender and sexuality, and metamorphosis) in
their cultural and historical contexts. Through this exploration, students will learn
about some of the most important Japanese social and historical conventions that inform
anime.
Course Offered: