Professors William Carroll and Guo-Juin Hong

Course Description: This course focuses on East Asia as seen in the documentary mode of representation. Different and yet interconnected cultures and histories are examined and questioned. Documentary films are treated not merely as documents, as facts that inform and impart knowledge; they are first and foremost representation, a significant mode of cultural production that forms distinct sets of discourses and is formed and informed by the filmmakers, the subjects, and the larger context. Particular frameworks are the lasting legacy of Japanese imperialism, Cold War politics, and the growing impact of globalization. Special attention is paid to not only the content of documentary representation but also its formal construction and ethical implications.

Complete syllabus available upon request.