LAS456 Media, Culture and Society in East Asia

Spring Semester 2025/26

15 credits

Module Organiser: Dr Wayne Wong (k.wong@sheffield.ac.uk)

Overview

This module introduces key ideas surrounding media and culture in the context of East Asian society. Via selected case studies we will explore issues such as power and control, propaganda, politics of memory, politics of representation, media production and consumption, globalisation, transnational cultural exchange, media and nationhood and the changing status of the creative industries in East Asia. This course will examine a variety of media products including film, TV, radio, digital archives, animation, memorials and museums and will engage with the media and culture of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the PRC respectively.  

Topics Covered 

• Media and Nation

• Cool Japan

• South Korean Hallyu

• Screening China

• East Asian Franchises

• Music: Transnationality and Gender

• Fandom and Media Consumption

• Digital World: Video Games

Skills Development

• Academic Writing will be developed through one reflection paper and the final essay. There will be a number of sessions where we will discuss the elements of academic writing.

• Critical Ability will be developed as students engage with ideas in the readings and analyse media and issues through written assignments.

• Knowledge will be developed through lecture content, completion of assigned readings, and further independent study.

• Communication Skills will be developed as students work on communicating specific concepts and contents in a compelling way through the assignments.

• Cultural Agility will be developed as students engage with cultures and societies outside their own.

• Independent learning – The ability to gather information and evaluate a range of source material at home and during discussions with peers.

Study Hours

The University recommends that you spend 150 hours working on a 15-credit module. This will include:

• Lecture: 10 hours

• Seminar: 10 hours

• Independent study hours: 130 hrs