Drawing on the key genres of Japanese modern and contemporary cultural production – manga, anime, film and visual arts – Japanese Popular Culture introduces students to the cultural narratives of post-war Japan and examines how the traditions and cultural roots of the past continue to influence cultural behavior and production today. Approaching these visual texts from a variety of socio-cultural, psychological and literary perspectives, the course will examine how meanings are produced in image and text and how these visual representations construct identities and present such social issues as gender, youth culture, the individual, the family and the community.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of the defining characteristics of Japanese visual culture, and of how the traditions and cultural roots of the past continue to influence cultural behaviour and practice today;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical paradigms that apply to cultural studies and an ability to draw on this theoretical and cultural knowledge to analyse primary materials
3. Develop a variety of analytic, research and communicative skills; information gathering and evaluation, academic writing, debating, discussion leading and presentation skills;
4. Develop the ability to work in cooperative groups on key issues in the field of Japanese cultural studies and to communicate findings to others.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Definitions of ‘Popular Culture’: Tastes of Japan Pop Culture Import/Export - Demon Slayer, Samurai, Monkey & Pokemon	Op Ed 1 Lead 1 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 1
2	Tezuka Osamu & Miyazaki Hayao – Kings of Story Manga/Anime	Op Ed 1 Lead 2 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 2
3	Apocalypse & Rebirth & Legacies of Defeat The Grave of Fireflies, Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion	Op Ed 1 Lead 3 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 3
4	Identity and Otherness – Demon Slayer, 'Oni', the art of Murakami Takashi & Kusuma Yayoi	Op Ed 1 Lead 4 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 4
5	Cultural Response to Disaster Earthquakes & Tsunami & Cultural Consciousness	Op Ed 1 Lead 5 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 5
6	Images of Contemporary Japan - Photography & Visual Arts Yanagi Miwa, Ninagawa Mika, Shibata Toshio & Araki Nobuyoshi	Op Ed 1 Lead 6 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 6 6 September OP ED DUE
7	Values, Family & Relationships in Popular Culture Tokyo Story (1953), Summer Wars (2009), Demon Slayer (2016-2020)	Vodcast 1 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 7
8	Youth, Angst & Rebellion Cruel Story of Youth (1960), Death Note (2003), Battle Royale (2000)	Vodcast 2 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 8
9	Contemporary Art - Kiki Ando: Highest Mountain and Deepest Bay Melbournian Japanese Artist - textile, ceramics, performance and design	Vodcast 3 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 9
10	Girl Power & Shojo Manga – traditions and trends From Ikeda Riyoko's The Rose of Versailles (1972) and Takeuchi Naoko's Sailor Moon (1991) to more contemporary works	Vodcast 4 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 10
11	Masculinity & Shonen Manga – traditions and trends Samurai, Heroes, Mateship: One Piece (1997), Samurai Champloo (2005), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012)	Vodcast 5 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 11
12	Hafu, Minority Identity and ideas of Japaneseness Debating ideas of Japaneseness & Popular Japanese Culture	Vodcast 6 + Tut Forum Posts Tutorial Reading Response 12

Tutorial Registration

See Wattle to sign up

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
TWO Tutorial Reading Responses - 20%	20 %	*	*	1,2,3
Media Opinion Piece (Op Ed) - 20%	20 %	06/09/2021	20/09/2021	1,2,3
Vodcast - 15%	15 %	*	*	1,2,3
Essay - 40%	40 %	24/10/2021	01/11/2021	1,2,3
Participation - 5%	5 %	*	*	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Note that active, engaged participation is included in the course assessment.

Assessment Task 1

TWO Tutorial Reading Responses - 20%

Tutorial Reading Responses - 10% each (1, 2, 3)

• The tutorial reading responses are 600 word responses to ONE of the week’sTutorial Discussion Questions.
• The goal of this assessment task is to encourage each student to develop their writing skills and to engage critically with the weekly readings, summarise the arguments presented and provide an analysis of how the readings help when analysing the primary sources for the week.
• Students may choose which tutorial reading responses to submit - however the first must be submitted by the end of Week 6, and the second in Weeks 7-12.
• More than two responses can be submitted and then the best two marks will be selected.
• Graded responses with feedback will be returned the week after submission.
• Refer to Wattle for more details.

Assessment Task 2

Media Opinion Piece (Op Ed) - 20%

• There are two assessed components in this task
• Op-Ed Tut Discussion Lead in Weeks 1-6 (5%)
• Final Op-Ed Word length: 800 words (15%)
• The goal of this task is to encourage students to write a persuasive opinion piece on a hot topic – to explore a current, interesting or important issue, event, experience or idea associated with Japanese popular culture. 
• The Discussion Lead must source and critique a relevant Op-Ed and post to the Tut Forum – the aim here is to review a number of published Op-Eds before writing your own.
• As part of course participation peers must post weekly peer review comments on one Op Ed Lead's critique each week by the Tuesday 11:55 pm – see participation
• Refer to the Task Sheet on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Vodcast - 15%

Vodcast -15% (1, 2, 3, 4)

• The goal of this task is to encourage each student to develop presentation and critical thinking skills.
• Your vodcast must draw on one or two of the primary sources covered and use one or two of the secondary sources to help frame the argument. 
• Each vodcast must end with A QUESTION for the class (which we will endeavour to answer as a group in class)
• Due by 11:55 pm the Monday before the relevant Wednesday tutorial in the second teaching term.
• Vodcasts must be submitted through the assignment link and posted on your tutorial forum
• Graded vodcasts with feedback will be returned the week after submission. 
• As part of course participation peers must post weekly peer review comments on one Vodcast each week by the Tuesday 11:55 pm – see participation

Assessment Task 4

Essay - 40%

Essay - 40%

• The goal of this task is to write to academic essay.
• The essay involves researching, critical thinking, source evaluation, organisation, and composition. The goal is to draw on what others have to say about a topic and to draw evidence from the sources to thoughtfully offer your own perspective on the issue at hand.
• Due by 11:55 pm the Monday, 24 October.
• You are required to respond to one of the essay questions provided.
• You can only include primary works covered in the course.
• The reference list/bibliography is not included in the word count.
• Footnotes and embedded quotes are included in the word count.

Assessment Task 5

Participation - 5%

Participation - 5% (1, 2, 3, 4)

• Participation is an important part of the course and active engagement both in class and on the course-forum will be recorded.
• It is hard to participate if you do not attend class. Students with a legitimate clash must submit a clash form to that effect within the first two weeks of classes.
• eers must post peer review comments on posted as noted above (except the weeks they are presenting) – this will be included in the participation grade. Comments to include a short critical response to the op ed topic, or the vodcast question posed.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 5 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students