Overview of Course

This course examines modern East Asia—China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam—through the lens of film, exploring how cinema reflects and shapes the region's history, culture, and social concerns. Spanning works from the 1930s to the present, the course delves into films produced within East Asia, its diasporas, and by filmmakers from the global north and south, including Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Through this global perspective, students will uncover the diverse ways East Asia is imagined and represented in a rapidly globalizing world.

Centered around the theme "The Image of East Asia in a Global Age," the course investigates key topics such as Confucian traditions, evolving gender norms, intergenerational dynamics, communism, nationalism, war, and state-building. Students will explore how films serve as powerful cultural texts, constructing and deconstructing social norms, challenging historical narratives, and creating discourses that resonate across borders.

In addition to historical and cultural analysis, students will learn fundamental techniques in film critique to better understand the art and industry of filmmaking in East Asia. The course also examines the transformation of the region's film industries into global powerhouses, reflecting their economic and cultural influence. From the rise of new generations of filmmakers to the shifts in cinematic trends and markets, students will gain a nuanced appreciation of how East Asian cinema has shaped and has been shaped by the world.