MEDS 224 - Japanese Popular Culture and Literature

1 unit(s)

(Same as ASIA 224 and JAPA 224) This course examines Japanese popular culture as seen through popular fiction. Works by writers such as Murakami Haruki, Yoshimoto Banana, and Murakami Ryu, etc. who emerged in the late 1980s to the early 1990s, are discussed. Literary works are compared with various popular media such as film, music, manga, and animation to explore how popular youth culture is constructed and reflects young people’s views on social conditions. This course emphasizes discussion, and theoretical readings are assigned.

Prerequisite(s): One course in Japanese language, literature, culture, Asian Studies or Media Studies, or permission of the instructor.

This course is conducted in English.

Two 75-minute periods.

Not offered in 2026/27.

Course Format: CLS