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Modern Asian Cultures: A Visual Perspective
ALIT205 SP

Crosslistings: EAST211

Through film classics of Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong (1950-90s), the course surveys how Asian cultural and historical heritages are contested and reinvented in modern Asian societies via filmic portrayals. We will focus on the key aspects in which Asian directors try to capture distinct ethnic and cultural ethos, social customs and personal psychology in Asia today. Due emphasis will be laid on their adaptive uses of use of western cinematic techniques. We will pay increasing attention to issues of cultural reproduction, identity formation and cross-cultural exchange and transfer.

MAJOR READINGS

CINEMA EAST: A CRITICAL STUDY OF MAJOR JAPANESE FILMS by Keiko McDonald Sheldon X. Lu: TRANSNATIONAL CHINESE CINEMAS FILM AS SOCIAL PRACTICE, Graeme Turner A Reading Packet: CRITICAL/BACKGROUND READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be four segmentation exercises, a mid-term exam, one term paper (9-10 pp) and a two-part final.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

All selected Asian films are shown in video or VCD formats with English subtitles; previous knowledge of either Asian languages or western film studies are not required. An additional class of screening is usually scheduled before the normal weekly classes, and attendance is required.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA AL&L    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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