Japan Courses

English: Moving Image Arts – Geoffrey Marschall

MIA 325/ HUMN 200/ ENGL 370 - Culture and Criticism Through Japanese Cinema

Join us for an immersive journey through Japanese cinema that will enrich your understanding of both film and society. In this course, you'll analyze thought-provoking Japanese films and animation that tackle topics such as immigration, socio-economic divides, ageism, and nuclear conflict.
Through engaging film screenings and discussions, you'll develop a deep understanding of cinematic language and how it portrays complex social issues. Discover how Japanese culture shapes these portrayals and gain insights into the cultural context behind the stories.
The course includes unique field trips to locations featured in the films or that highlight the thematic issues discussed. As a culminating project, you'll write a paper analyzing a Japanese film and its representation of social issues, incorporating elements from our explorations in Japan.

MIA 325/ HUMN 300/ ENGL 375 – Stories and the City

Discover how the essence of a city shapes its stories!
In this course, you will learn the profound impact of location on storytelling, delving into films that are deeply rooted in specific places. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the historic backdrop of Hiroshima, we’ll examine how various cities and countries influence cinematic narratives.
Through a diverse selection of films—both those made in Japan and those set in other global locales—we will analyze how filmmakers create stories that are inextricably linked to their settings. We’ll explore how these films ground their narratives in their unique locations and how the visual language of film enhances the storytelling process.