The Age of Young Media: Japanese Popular Culture from /Anime/ to JDrama (in English)

In this course we will examine how Japanese popular culture has historically co-opted young performers and audiences to present itself as “young media.” We will draw upon examples from anime, television dramas, and elsewhere to reflect upon what it means to live in an age of young media— an age in which media culture presents itself as eternally young and without history. In order to explore this and other issues within their local and global context, we will read essays on media theory and Japanese popular culture, including those of Azuma Hiroki, Marc Steinberg, and Ian Condry. 3 hrs. lect.