JAPAN 80
How Does It Move? Action and Moving Image in Modern Japan
Description: Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. How is action constituted on the screen? How has modern technological media informed and transformed our experience and understanding of action? Exploration of how our experience and conception of action is mediated by technological aesthetic media by tracing history of portrayal and experience of action both in media theory and practice. Emphasis on moving image practices surrounding production and reception of popular action film genres from Japan such as chambara or samurai film and yakuza film. Consideration also of their relationship to international film cultures and genres (e.g. Hollywood Western, gangster film, Chinese martial arts cinema, and contemporary Hollywood blockbusters) in context of broader historical transformations in media practices and in modes of distribution and reception. Study of theoretical debates, institutional practices, and ethical and political questions that inform our inquiries into moving image as action, and into action as/through moving image. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2020 - This class is an interesting GE option, as it will introduce you to some Japanese films that you likely have not yet seen. Professor Yamazaki is also very nice and will do her best to be flexible and resolve any issues that may arise. Regarding the grading breakdown, there is a participation component worth 15%, discussion board postings that account for 20%, a paper worth 20%, pop quizzes that total 5%, an in-discussion assignment worth 10%, and a final paper worth 30%. Participating grading is fairly lenient, as I contributed just an average amount and still got 100%. Discussion board postings are weekly and are about 250 words each. Grading on these was tougher at the beginning of the quarter than the end. The midterm paper was just three pages or so, and was not overwhelming by any means. The pop quizzes and in-discussion assignment are nothing to be concerned about - participation is the primary aspect being graded in both instances. The final paper, for me, was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore was made optional. However, I still did it because I'm dedicated to the Bruinwalk community and wanted to provide a thorough review. There are three options, two of which are papers and one which is a creative project. I opted for one of the papers, which was 5-7 pages long and entailed comparing two of the films we watched. This option is structured around your choice of prompt that Professor Yamazaki provides, and therefore you are provided some guidance in that sense. I suspect grading was fairly lenient given the circumstances surrounding the end of this quarter. Other items of note: There is no textbook, as all of the readings are on CCLE. The workload is moderate due to the films that you must watch on your own. Also, the grading scheme is favorable, as she rounds up to the nearest integer (so a 92.01% becomes a 93%, and therefore an A). Moreover, extra credit is offered (up to 2%), which further benefits students grade-wise. TL;DR: An interesting, unique GE with a nice Professor and a favorable grading scheme.
Winter 2020 - This class is an interesting GE option, as it will introduce you to some Japanese films that you likely have not yet seen. Professor Yamazaki is also very nice and will do her best to be flexible and resolve any issues that may arise. Regarding the grading breakdown, there is a participation component worth 15%, discussion board postings that account for 20%, a paper worth 20%, pop quizzes that total 5%, an in-discussion assignment worth 10%, and a final paper worth 30%. Participating grading is fairly lenient, as I contributed just an average amount and still got 100%. Discussion board postings are weekly and are about 250 words each. Grading on these was tougher at the beginning of the quarter than the end. The midterm paper was just three pages or so, and was not overwhelming by any means. The pop quizzes and in-discussion assignment are nothing to be concerned about - participation is the primary aspect being graded in both instances. The final paper, for me, was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore was made optional. However, I still did it because I'm dedicated to the Bruinwalk community and wanted to provide a thorough review. There are three options, two of which are papers and one which is a creative project. I opted for one of the papers, which was 5-7 pages long and entailed comparing two of the films we watched. This option is structured around your choice of prompt that Professor Yamazaki provides, and therefore you are provided some guidance in that sense. I suspect grading was fairly lenient given the circumstances surrounding the end of this quarter. Other items of note: There is no textbook, as all of the readings are on CCLE. The workload is moderate due to the films that you must watch on your own. Also, the grading scheme is favorable, as she rounds up to the nearest integer (so a 92.01% becomes a 93%, and therefore an A). Moreover, extra credit is offered (up to 2%), which further benefits students grade-wise. TL;DR: An interesting, unique GE with a nice Professor and a favorable grading scheme.
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