Module VISU3051: Polygraphing Japonisme: (Re)tracing the circulation of cultural imaginaries

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Visual)

VISU3051: Polygraphing Japonisme: (Re)tracing the circulation of cultural imaginaries

Prerequisites

• None; the module will be taught in English based on texts provided in English translation where the originals are in Japanese or other languages.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To explore representations related to Japonisme in literature, visual culture and performance.
• To approach Japonisme not only as visually-oriented 'Japan/East craze' but as a critical focus for depicting and engaging with 'other' cultures.
• To critically analyse the formation and development of cultural theory, especially related to East/West, from the late nineteenth century up to present.

Content

• This module explores Japonisme-related representations, examining how various ways of 'graph'-ing (tracing creatively) cultural imaginaries informed one another and shaped the wider trend of Japonisme.
• Multimedia texts/examples will include travel writing/diaries, novels, operas and music scores, film and visual culture created by those who visitied/lived/were interested in Japan, and by Japanese natives, with cross-cultural interactions if any existed.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should / will / are expected to possess:
• Critical knowledge and understanding of a range of texts, images and representations with relevant theoretical frameworks;
• An understanding of how Japonisme intersects with relevant artistic, theoretical and political trends as well as debates in a global sphere;
• Knowledge of relevant cultural debates such as orientalism, colonialism/post-colonialism, modernism in directly relevant fields such as Japanese studies, cultural studies and comparative/world literature.

• By the end of this module, stidents will have the ability to:
• Carry out critical analysis of a variety of textual genres and performance and visual culture (opera, film, photography/paintings);
• Think across disciplines, creating dialogues between Japanese studies, literary studies, cultural studies (performance and visual) and intellectual history;
• Undertake cross-cultural comparison while proactively thinking about ways to bridge cultural and social differences.

• By the end of this module, students will have enhanced abilities in:
• Critical and analytical thinking;
• Essay-writing and oral presentation;
• Independent learning and research.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module will be taught intensively in Term 1 or Term 2 on a 'short-fat 'basis; assessment will be by 1 commentary and 1 dossier.
• This module will be taught by means of weekly 2-hour lectures and 1-hour seminars.
• Teaching and assesment will be in English; when the suggested readings include texts written in other languages than English, English translation will be provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Seminar Presentations

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University