Sophomore Seminar: The Public Servant and Other Heroes: A History of Japan through Film

This course is an examination of key turning points in Japan from the mid-19th century to the present. It focuses on the important role that bureaucracies, staffed by public servants, have played in shaping the political and social life on the archipelago and in the region. We will engage representations of political and social life in Japan by making use of its rich visual culture by viewing and discussing Japanese films. The assigned films, which will be screened in Japanese with English subtitles, will likely include "The Twilight Samurai," "To Live," and "Shin Godzilla," among others. These films provide representations of how people in Japan have responded to crises, including revolution, war, and natural disasters. Through written and visual materials, students will gain a better understanding of history in Japan, public service, and the utility of film for engaging the past. Film screenings are mandatory.
Course Attributes: BU BA; BU IS; AS HUM; AS LCD; FA HUM; AR HUM; EN H

Sophomore Seminar: The Public Servant and Other Heroes: A History of Japan through Film

EAST ASIAN STUDIES 280

Section A

Section 01