Japanese popular culture and identity

In this capstone unit you will consolidate general knowledge about Japan and its popular culture by approaching popular cultures as a means by which personal and national identities are constructed. You will consider popular culture as a directive as well as a reflection of collective ideology. The genre of manga and anime, television and film, music, fashion and food cultures provide the contexts for you to deepen your understanding of Japan's postwar cultural history. You will also explore the role of new media and technology in society; personal identity as expressed through consumption and lifestyle; and important cultural expressions of socio-political resistance to hegemony.