2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Studies of Culture and Representation A
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kyohhei Kitamura
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.H113
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Currently, Japanese animation is the most flourishing visual culture in history and has an overwhelming presence in Japanese pop culture. In this lecture, we will study the history of animation in postwar Japan and the visual expressions of animation authors. In the class, we will watch a variety of animations together and discuss the creative activities of Japan's leading animation artists. Students will be asked to think independently about the images to be analyzed and exchange opinions in groups, so active participation in discussions is expected.
The aim of this course is to provide students with basic knowledge to understand the history and expression of animation, and ultimately to develop skills to analyze not only Japanese animation but also animation from around the world.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Acquire basic knowledge of the history and expression of animation.
2) Think about familiar culture from varied standpoints.
3) Cultivate the ability to analytically verbalize objects.
Keywords
Animation, Japanimation, Visual culture, Character, Animation studio
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Based on lectures using power point. Students are occasionally given practice exercises related to the contents.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Guidance and introduction | Understand what kind of medium of expression animation is. |
| Class 2 | Miyazaki Hayao and Studio Ghibli | Learn about the expression of Miyazaki Hayao's animation and the history of Studio Ghibli. |
| Class 3 | Oshii Mamoru and Anno Hideaki | Learn about visual expressions at a turning point in Japanese animation history. |
| Class 4 | Kon Satoshi and Metafiction | Consider Kon Satoshi's theme and expression. |
| Class 5 | Hosoda Mamoru's Family Movie | Hosoda Mamoru's expressions by animation will be analyzed. |
| Class 6 | Shinkai Makoto as an Individual Artist | Understand the visual and acoustic aspects of Shinkai Makoto's animations. |
| Class 7 | The expression of Yamada Naoko's animation and final exam | Discuss the expression of animation by Yamada Naoko. |
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)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Because there are many reference books, the instructor introduces them in class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class participation (50%) and final exam (50%)
No credit will be given for more than three absences.
Related courses
- LAH.H215 ： Studies of Culture and Representation B
- LAH.H314 ： Studies of Culture and Representation C
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
kitamura.k.af[at]m.titech.ac.jp