Japanese Courses

1058 Westerns and Samurai Films

11935 McDonald (W, 2-4:55, 1501 WWPH)

1. This course focuses on a cross-cultural study of the major works that represent the rich cinematic heritage of Japan and the U.S.: the Samurai and the Western. Some important questions to explore through comparative analyses are: how do these films elucidate the socio-cultural milieus of their respective countries? How do two films from different cultural traditions share similarities in narrative, character types, and world view? How does a Japanese filmmaker borrow from the West and vice versa, in order to pursue his thematic vein? In addition, students will be offered experience in film appreciation, since the course is also designed to show how critical methods work at reading Westerns and Samurai films.

2. No prerequisites.

3. No recitations.

4. Expected class size: 70.

5. This course is offered on a regular basis.