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

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

• None.

• None.

• 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.

• 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.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• 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.

Subject-specific Skills:

• 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.

Key Skills:

• 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.

• 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.

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