JAPN 0812     

This course is designed for a diverse group of students with various Japanese learning experiences, including both advanced-level Japanese learners who have completed JAPN700 or the equivalent, and Japanese heritage language (JHL) speakers*.  The objective of the course is to further develop your linguistic proficiency and to broaden your knowledge of Japanese language, culture, and society by studying contemporary Japanese films through the lens of social justice.  You will watch films from a wide range of genres, including mainstream blockbusters and documentaries.  Our discussions will focus on diversity and social justice in Japan, including minorities issues in Japan (Ainu, Zainichi, Okinawan, “hafu”, LGBTQ, etc.) and economic inequality.  You will explore your interests in social justice issues and develop linguistic proficiency through writing/reading/listening assignments, discussions, and a final project. This course is a writing-designated course (WRIT): you will write two papers with multiple drafts with substantive feedback from the instructor and your peers, as well as writing assignments for each module.

*JHL speakers are those who have been brought up in a household where Japanese is spoken.