The Cultural History of Japanese Cinema
The course, which is given in collaboration between Cinema Studies, the Department of Media Studies and the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, provides a general introduction to the cultural history of Japanese film. Cultural theoretical, technological, intermedia and political perspectives on "modernity" and "tradition" in Japanese film are related to the role of the concepts in the film history of other countries. The course also considers the ways in which "national film" has been a central historical theoretical concept in the understanding of style and theme in films produced in both Japan and the West.
LANGUAGE:
Fall 2025 Taught in English
The course is given part-time in the evenings for about 10 weeks in the first half of the semester with lectures and associated film screenings in Filmhuset.
Teaching Format
The teaching consists of film screenings and lectures. The teaching is in English or Swedish, as specified for each semester.
We want students to have after the course
1. a general knowledge of the cultural, political, thematic and stylistic fundamentals of Japanese film;
2. knowledge of historical theoretical problems linked to modernity and tradition.
Assessment
Home exam
Examiner
Fall 2025: Ian Conrich
On this page, literature lists are published two months before the start of the course. Please refer to the semester you will study.
Student Counsellor Mattias Johannesson
studievagledare@ims.su.se
