2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Cultures of the English-speaking World
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kumiko Kiuchi / Yuto Koizumi / Yuka Hiromoto
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (M-134)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H115
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is an omnibus lecture by three faculty members of English section in ILA.
This year's course deals in particular with the issue of adaptation from literary works to other media (e.g. film, comics) in modern and contemporary British literature and culture, and with bilingual translation between English and Japanese. The lecture will focus on Jane Austen, one of Britain's leading female writers, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which pioneered in the use of monsters in science fiction, and contemporary British comedies.
English is often characterised as a communication tool for the international community. However, any language is more than a tool; it is an intrinsic part of the identity and culture of its users. In the case of English, due to its global nature, its cultures are always multiple and extremely diverse. This course is designed to study such diversity alongside the diversity of artistic expressions and of English language itself.
With the globalisation of markets and information, it becomes more common to receive and consume cultural products (music, films, novels, comics, games, etc.) across national borders and language barriers. However, this does not mean that we fully understand them as, in many cases, cultural products are defined by their cultural and historical background. The course provides students with the opportunity to learn how to approach cultures other than our own.
Course description and aims
- Students get to know a variety of British cultures are not familiar to you.
- Students learn some methods to research cultures that are new and different in their knowledge.
- Students understand the connections between language, culture and identity, and how they change across time and space.
- Students have the opportunity to think about their science discipline from cultural perspectives.
- Students understand the diversity in English languages and cultures.
Keywords
English-speaking cultures, UK, media, technology, scientific ethics, cultural diversity, translation theory, cross-cultural communication
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each class consists of mini-lectures and discussions. Japanese is used in the lectures and discussions but most of the materials used in class are in English.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction Frankenstein, one of the oldest Sci-Fi novels -Pseudoscience/alchemy, natural science, and anatomy in the concept of making a monster -Self-education, hope, grudge, and revenge of the monster artificially created | By learning some critical theories and applying them to a few parts of the text, students appreciate different aspects of Frankenstein. |
| Class 2 | Frankenstein movies -Two film adaptations: James Whale’s(1931) and Kenneth Branagh’s (1994) -Classic Universal monsters in 30s and Coppola’s horror spectacle in 90s -Visual expressions in comparison: “It’s alive!” scene etc. | By learning some basic ways to analyze movies, students understand how filmmakers uniquely adapt Frankenstein. |
| Class 3 | Frankenstein complex and our contemporary Sci-fi movies | Students can apply the ideas to real life by discussing why and how Frankenstein hugely impacted society. |
| Class 4 | Jane Austen, 'Pride and Prejudice' (novel) 'Pride and Prejudice' (BBC TV series) | Read handouts distributed for the class. |
| Class 5 | Joe Wright, 'Pride and Prejudice' (film) Reiko Mochizuki, 'Kohman to Henken' (manga) | Read handouts distributed for the class. |
| Class 6 | Introduction to Translation Studies (Japanese-English) (1) | Understand the basic analytic framework of translation and some major linguistic differences between English and Japanese |
| Class 7 | Introduction to Translation Studies (Japanese-English) (2) | Peer-critique peer's translation sample and discuss the difficulties involving cultural aspects of translation. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Handouts are provided via T2Schola or in class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handouts are provided via T2Schola or in class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
- Google Forms on the lecture every week: 70%
- End-of-the-semester report: 30% (2500 words in Japanese; 1300 words in English)
Related courses
- LAH.H110 ： Introduction to Foreign Languages 1
- LAH.H111 ： Introduction to Foreign Languages 2
Prerequisites
Intermediate level in English