One of the most common questions I am faced with when presenting anime/manga studies as an area of both academic interest (i.e. research and scholarly publication) and academic activity (teaching) is whether colleges/universities in the USA offer courses on Japanese animation at all and Japanese comics. The answer to this question is a resounding yes – but of course such an answer must be supported. And this list supports the answer. Many colleges and universities in the US offer courses on anime/manga and have been offering such courses for almost twenty years. Of course, the degree programs themselves differ greatly in their focus and scope - often these are determined by the respective departments or programs that actually offer them. Many are designed as simple surveys, while others are aimed specifically at language learners.
This list is for illustrative purposes, is not exhaustive, and is certainly incomplete. It is also specifically limited to courses focused on anime/manga, more Japanese cinema or popular culture more broadly, or animation or comics/sequential arts around the world including Japan. It also specifically excludes classes for drawing manga. Nonetheless, I hope it can back up nicely the statement that many American colleges and universities have embraced anime/manga as a valid subject not only for academics but for teaching as well - and perhaps provide ideas that might be helpful to everyone who wants to develop such a class in the future!
As with many of the resources I maintain, this list is continually updated. If you know of an anime/manga course currently being offered or will be offered in the near future at a post-secondary institution in the US and would like to see it listed here, please let me know!
[Last updated: August 4, 2022]
Angelo State University
Anime: Swords and Alchemy
(Signaturkurs des Freshman College)
“This is an interdisciplinary study and appreciation of contemporary Japanese animation, anime. Students analyze and discuss the stories presented, write about the messages contained in the stories, and coordinate a public presentation of anime. Students also learn fundamental skills needed to succeed in college, such as: B. Using Blackboard, the Library, and the Writing Center.”
Bowdoin College
Japanese animation - history, culture, society
Animation is a dominant cultural force in Japan and perhaps its most important cultural export. This course examines how Japanese animation depicts the history and society of Japan and how it is consumed abroad. How does animation show Japanese perspectives on childhood, sexuality, national identity, and gender roles? How does his way of storytelling connect to traditional visual forms in Japan? Focusing on the aesthetic, thematic, social, and historical characteristics of Japanese animation, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the place of animation in 20th-century Japan. Movies include Grave of Fireflies, Spirited Away, Ghost in the Shell, Akira, and Princess Kaguya.
Japanimation and Manga (Spring 2001)
“Japanese animation and manga comics cater to all levels of Japanese society, from schoolgirls in sailor suits to clerical men in business suits. Yet only a small portion of this genre made it to the United States, leading to a distorted image of Japan. Analyzes anime and manga in their historical and social context and provides an insight into social change in Japan during modern times. No knowledge of Japanese required.”
University of Brown
anime studies
(Modern culture and media)
“The scholarly study of anime has matured rapidly in recent years and now represents an important arena for debates about the social status of drawn characters, the role of animation in larger media ecologies, and the transnational reach of Japanese popular culture central books of anime studies and the major works of anime history, this course explores how anime has forced rethinking of gender, sexuality, labor, intellectual property, storytelling, and the convergence of on-screen and off-screen space.”
Global anime
(Modern culture and media)
This course provides a systematic introduction to the forms, history, and culture of Japanese animation (anime). This course examines the historical developments, artistic styles, main themes, and subgenres of anime both in the national context of Japan and in the wider course of globalization, and focuses on analyzing the forms and idioms of anime in relation to changing technological conditions and their cultural implications . Students are expected to relate anime culture to their experience of new media technologies and to expand their artistic interest in anime to broader theoretical issues such as posthumanism, globalism, techno-orientalism, and media convergence.
California College of the Arts
Media History – Japan: Manga/Anime
“Animé is not relegated to the silver screen in Japan: it permeates many aspects of modern everyday life, from the Tokyo Anime Center in Akihabara, considered “holy ground” for Japan's otaku culture; to public statues of characters from Pokemon, Evangelion, and Gundam; to Electric Town, a place for electronics and gadgets of all kinds. Although designed for animation majors, this program is open to students of all disciplines and explores the diversity of Japanese animation arts in all of its myriad forms. The course begins in Tokyo where we explore Japanese culture and animation production, including feature films, video games, television production, computer animation, and independent filmmaking. We will experience first-hand Tokyo's Comiket (Comic Market), the largest Japanese anime, manga and games fair that takes place only twice a year. We will then travel to Hiroshima by bullet train to attend the biennial Hiroshima International Animation Festival.”
California State University, Fullerton
Japanese Culture and Society: Anime
"Japanese culture and society as well as multicultural analysis of global issues as reflected in Japanese animation films."
California State University, Long Beach
Japanese anime and manga
“Students investigate, analyze and discuss selected issues of Japanese culture and modern society by analyzing Japanese animation (anime) and printed animation (manga). Knowledge of the Japanese language is desirable but not required.”
California State University, Monterey Bay
Manga, Anime and Modern Japan
“This class uses Japanese manga (animated cartoons) and anime as modern mirrors reflecting the Japanese experience of rapid economic and social change over the past 150 years. Starting with an exploration of the ancient Japanese style of visual expression, in this course we will trace how popular visual texts such as manga and anime outline a parallel world that is both historically and culturally connected to the Japanese nation's “imagined community”. Condition."
California State University, Sacramento
A story of manga
[curriculum– Herbst 2018]
“An overview of the history of manga (Japanese graphic novels), tracing the historical antecedents of manga from ancient Japan to the present day. The course focuses on major artists, genres and manga works that have been produced in Japan and translated into English.”
Carleton-College
Modern Japanese Literature and Manga in Translation
(Fall 2016, Japanese)
„This course looks at the major works of modern fiction in Japan and their recent adaptations into manga. We pay special attention to cultural, aesthetic and ideological aspects of 20th century Japanese literature and to the relationship between text, author and society. We will also read their adaptations in the manga. Manga has become the most popular literary medium over the last century and we will look at the relationship between modern Japanese literature and manga. This course requires no prior knowledge of Japanese language, literature, manga, or culture.„
The world of anime in translation
“This course explores the extraordinary achievement of anime (Japanese animation), from the modern classics of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Mamoru Oshii to more recent anime directors. The anime will be examined for its aesthetic, cultural, and authorial context. Particular attention is paid to anime's relationship to traditional art, culture and society. This course is conducted in English and all course materials are in English translation or with English subtitles.”
World of Japanese manga in translation
„This course is about manga (Japanese comics that first appeared in post-war Japan). Manga are avidly read in Japan as a main part of Japanese popular culture. They have a huge impact on other media such as movies and anime. The genre has greatly expanded its readership outside of Japan over the past decade. We will read a variety of manga aimed at different genders and ages in English translation. The lyrics are interpreted as a means of understanding the worldviews of the Japanese people and the development of Japanese society in recent decades.„
Carnegie Mellon University
Anime - Visual interaction between Japan and the world (modern languages)
In contemporary Japanese culture, anime plays an important role, unfolding a wide range of non-linear and linear types of storytelling with its different forms of visual representation, such as , and complementary to other culture forms (e.g. literature, film and art). Examining Japanese anime that appeals to international audiences today, this course focuses on cultural/social analyzes of animated works such as Studio Ghibli's fantastical production and the post-apocalyptic worldview of cyberpunks in consultation with the scholarship of anime as a global cultural phenomenon. Equally important is to locate the origin of Japanese animation, which will also be explored by analyzing pre- and post-war animation works in conjunction with related forms such as manga or comic strips (e.g. Disney) and discussing the potential of anime as an art form.
Miyazaki: Anime Legend - His Life and Work
“Hayao Miyazaki is Japan's and perhaps the world's greatest animation director of all time. The entertaining plots, compelling characters and stunning animation in his films have earned him international critical acclaim as well as public acclaim in Japan.
In this course we will examine the aesthetic, thematic and historical characteristics of each of his films. Which social conflicts inspired his work? Who were the bases of his characters? Who did he inspire? In addition to his films, we will also briefly review his other work, including short films and TV series.
The course is open to all interested students, no prior knowledge of Miyazaki or Anime is required.”
Center College
Manga and Anime: Form and Practice
“This course explores the history and genres of Japanese manga (graphic novels) and animated films. In addition to discussing common themes and narrative forms used, we will learn to distinguish and describe different drawing styles and frame structures. The final project challenges students to create their own manga or anime (a sample piece and explanation of the remaining narrative, with comments on how this fits into the larger field.).
Chapman University
anime and war
(Herbst 2016, University Honors Program)
"Japanese animation, or anime, has become much more popular in the United States over the past three decades, and today Japanese state policy recognizes the medium as an important 'cultural asset'. In fact, one could argue that many visual animation technologies predate their cinematic cousins. As Paul Virilio and others have argued, the history of both animated and live-action film is closely linked to the parallel history of 20th-century warfare. This course will trace the development of Japanese animated films in the mid and late 20th century in relation to their relationship to war. Analyzing Japanese films at historical, narrative, diegetic and formal levels, we will consider the relationships between image production and viewing in terms of economic, cultural, social and political parameters. Readings include classic theoretical texts on war and cinema, as well as more recent historical and sociological readings specifically tailored for Japanese and Pacific contexts. This course focuses on the following four sub-units; 1) animation theory and modern Japanese visual history 2) Pacific War and memory politics 3) Cold War, ideological alliances and cultural-economic empires and finally 4) animated projections and the war on terror.”
City College of San Francisco
manga and anime
(Asian Studies)
Course Overview
"An overview of the history and styles of Japanese comics (manga) and animation (anime) and the roles they play in Japanese, American, and world culture, both as artistic expressions and as representations of social and political issues."
University of Columbia
The Anime Effect: Media and Technoculture in Contemporary Japan
“Culture, Technology and Media in Contemporary Japan. Theoretical and ethnographic explorations of forms of mass mediation, including anime, manga, video, and mobile phone novels. Considers larger global economic and political contexts, including post-Fukushima transformations.”
Cypress College
Anime I: Studying Culture
Anime II: Language in Film
Anime III: Manga-Kultur in den USA
Anime IV: Literature & Culture
DePaul University
anime story
“This course is an introduction to the history, development and cultural significance of Japanese animation. We will examine how historical and cultural concepts of Japan translated to the screen, as well as the influence of economic forces and changing technologies. Students will gain insight into the origins and cultural influences of anime through an examination of Japan's historical periods during World War II, the post-war period, and the mid- and late-20th century. This course analyzes specific examples of anime and anime artists in their historical context, with an emphasis on the use of primary sources.”
DePauw University
Anime! Japanese culture exposed
(autumn 2017, basic seminar)
“This course introduces students to Japan and Japanese culture through the lens of the popular media form, anime (animated film). In addition to anime visits and seminar-style class reunions, the course also includes demonstrations, events, and possibly a field trip or two. Students will learn to analyze anime visually, situate anime in a specific historical moment, identify artistic/literary/religious/linguistic traditions to which anime relates, and view anime critically using methodological approaches derived from key readings were derived. This course will therefore develop students' ability to articulate analysis of the animated art form both orally and in writing.”
East Tennessee State University
Japanese Manga & Anime Translation (Japanese)
Presents translation theories used to produce practical translations, mainly from Japanese to English.This course teaches basic translation skills for Japanese manga and animation through an interdisciplinary approach by including translations from various authentic materials from Japanese manga, books, videos and films.
Elmhurst College
Japanese for anime enthusiasts
“This is a Japanese course for beginners with an emphasis on developing students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in the target language. Students are introduced to basic language structure and vocabulary, as well as two of the three writing systems: hiragana and katakana. The grammatical components are linked to topic-based units that examine the cultural aspects of everyday life in Japan. Students will continue to explore these topics and use the structures they have learned by analyzing and discussing their favorite anime as well as the animes that are considered classics in Japan. Using commercially produced software, students apply the skills learned to create their own anime/manga. The software comes with templates for students to use, so drawing skills are not a necessary requirement. Additionally, this course does not have an art component, instead exploring the cultural and linguistic side of anime. Students are graded on their use of appropriate language structures and cultural references in their work.”
Emory University
Non-Western National Cinemas - Japanese Anime
(spring 2017, film studies)
[Research Guide]
Florida State University
Japanese animation
“This course follows the history of Japanese animation from the early 20th century to the present, with a particular focus on the contemporary period. The course explores not only the richness of what is commonly referred to as anime, but also the diverse origins of anime in Japan and abroad.”
Japanese manga
"This course traces the history of manga from its hybrid prehistory to its development as a post-war industrial and cultural form, examining manga's connections to adjacent media practices and its social and cultural significance at home and abroad."
Georgetown University
Japanese anime film
“In general, we will each spend multiple sessions on anime films considered outstanding by most critics, which often consist of a constellation of series episodes, films, OAVs, etc. We'll generally deal with pairings of films that can be compared or productively contrasted, along with some other related films in some cases. We'll also be introduced to leading anime creators like Miyazaki Hayao, Oshii Mamoru, Kon Satoshi, Shinkai Makoto, and Kamiyama Kenji. We will focus on the "historical" significance, thematic relationships, artistic qualities, and technical aspects of these anime films. Individual sessions will be devoted to new or recent anime that are particularly notable and of value for thematic, artistic, and technical comparisons with other major animes in the program. We will also examine connections to manga versions and other literary and historical sources for Japanese anime films. Students are expected to attend class regularly and work with the assignments and materials on the course board. In addition to short reports and comparisons, a long-term work of at least 25 pages or alternatively a shorter interim and final work on different topics of at least 12 pages each is written.
George Mason University
Introduction to Anime and Manga Studies
[Syllabus – Fall 2018]
“Hundreds of fan conventions dedicated to Japanese popular culture are held in North America each year, and there are dozens more in South America, Europe and Asia. New anime and manga titles are constantly being licensed and released in the United States and other overseas territories, and pirate sites are providing additional translated and subtitled works to eager consumers in all parts of the world. The worldwide popularity of Japanese entertainment media is undeniable, as is its impact on artistic communities and Fannic subcultures. In this course we will watch, read and study anime and manga to gain a deeper understanding and understanding of the cultures and stories that gave birth to these art forms and how they continue to shape international media landscapes.
This course serves as an introduction to four main strands of scholarly study of anime, manga, and related media and fan practices. We will examine anime and manga from a historical perspective, a cinematic and literary perspective, a cultural studies perspective, and the perspective of the emerging discipline of fan studies. During the semester we return to the topics of transnational economies and gender, both of which are integral parts of the study of demographic intellectual property rights. By the end of the course, students will be intellectually equipped to delve deeply into not only anime and manga, but a broader spectrum of global entertainment media.”
Georgia Institute of Technology
Japanese culture and society through anime
“The anime class examines the history of anime in Japan, compares techniques between Japanese anime and Hollywood animation, and explores various themes expressed in Japanese anime, from feminism to environmental protection, war to everyday life, puns to linguistic differences and sombre animator lives the glory of Japanese anime on the global stage. It also showcases cultural clashes, compromises and collaborations seen in joint ventures between Japanese anime production companies and their Hollywood counterparts.”
Sociolinguistics through Manga (Japanese)
Gilford-College
Anime, Japanese culture and globalization
(autumn 2017, first semester seminar)
“This interdisciplinary course looks at Japanese culture and society through the lens of anime (Japanese animated films). We will primarily examine Studio Ghibli work from multiple perspectives, considering how history, gender, race/ethnicity, spirituality, nature/environment, and nationality, among others, are imagined and contested in the context of accelerated globalization. We will also ask how and why anime (and other Japanese popular culture products) are crossing national borders into American society.”
Harvard University
Anime as Global Popular Culture
(autumn 2019, general education course)
What can the development of anime in Japan and its global spread teach us about the chaotic world of contemporary media culture, where art and commerce, aesthetics and technology, and producer and consumer are inextricably intertwined?
Hawaii Pacific University
Superheroes in Anime and Manga (Art History
This course promotes literacy through visual education by examining selected images of superheroes from Japanese manga (comics in printed media) and anime (animated comics). The students will examine the socio-political, economic, religious-cultural, historical and gender-specific issues of these images and trace their production and reception from their beginnings to the present day. The course combines lectures and seminars with reading assignments and active participation in viewing the manga and anime examples in class.
High Point University
Origins of Anime
(Honours, Spring 2019)
"Do you like anime? Want to learn more about Japanese storytelling? The Origins of Anime course unveils the roots of popular Japanese films and stories by exploring pre-modern Japanese texts (in English translation) and modern literary theory. Throughout the semester we will pay special attention to the similarities between Japanese pre-modern texts and modern stories, and the extent to which they differ based on temporal/social/religious/political concerns. Western and Asian literary theories, particularly on subjects such as translation, substitution, engagement with classics, and gender and sexuality, are also explored extensively. We will interpret the historical human quest for storytelling in the contexts of time and space with a keen sense of our own positions in the modern world.”
Hiram-College
History of manga and anime
(Herbst 2017)
“This class will look at Japanese manga (comics) and anime (animation) from their point of view
Beginnings in the mid-20th century to the present. Although manga and anime appeal to an international audience, this course will examine them as a Japanese medium and critically examine how they reflect Japanese social history. Students are encouraged to contribute a favorite manga or anime to the shared reading list. Topics highlighted include gender and sexuality, spirituality, environment and the future. This course takes students through a structured process to help them develop strong oral and written communication skills so they can succeed in college. In order to participate in the curriculum, students must complete all lecture readings and be prepared to discuss them thoughtfully
and co-curricular activities at college, giving at least one oral presentation and writing two three- to five-page essays and one five-page research paper.”
Hunter College
The world of manga and anime
"Why is Japanese manga universally popular and how did it achieve such phenomenal success? This course introduces the history of manga and anime from their classical beginnings to the present day. Students will learn how these literary art forms have become important expressions of Japanese culture and discover Japanese manga artists and their key works. No prior knowledge of manga, anime, or Japanese language and culture is required.”
Illinois Wesleyan University
Japanese Studies through Popular Culture
“This course examines Japanese language, culture and history as observed in Japanese popular culture. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of cultural and historical illustrations in anime.”
Indiana University
The world of anime and manga
“This course is designed primarily for undergraduate students who have completed the third year of Japanese or above, or have an equivalent level of Japanese. Students enrolled in the fourth year of Japanese will find it ideal to take this course at the same time. Although the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing are taught, more emphasis is placed on speaking and listening. Excerpts from animation films by Miyazaki Hayao and others are mainly watched in class. However, from time to time, students may need to watch animated films outside of class as well. The cultural themes presented in the films are at the center of the analysis and discussion. We will also read manga, paying attention to the language usage and unique characteristics of manga. We will examine the ins and outs of manga writing and discuss topics covered in the stories. Students are assessed on their preparation for and participation in class. There will often be short tests covering mainly listening and reading comprehension. Students must complete a course project.”
Irvine Valley College
Japanese anime and manga
“This course examines, analyzes and discusses central themes and issues of Japanese culture and society through the lens of Japanese animation (anime) and printed cartoons/graphic novels (manga). Students also look at the work of major anime and manga artists to gain insight into the evolution of these genres and how they influenced the development of global popular culture. The lessons are in English.”
Kalamazoo College
Manga/Anime and Gender in Modern Japan
“Why are manga/anime so popular? let's find out This course undertakes a critical analysis of manga (comics) and anime (animation). We will examine the historical origins of these media, their narrative characteristics, worldwide reception and much more. The samurai warrior, the bishônen (handsome boy) and the sexy cyborg gender have vivid depictions in Japanese culture. This course examines constructions of masculinity and femininity, paying attention to the characters of the girl as a post-war Bishon descendant, the supposedly under-socialized otaku and yaoi culture, and transgender manga in which the imagination opens the door to alternative and critical realities.”
Macalester-College
Girl Manga: Gender/Sexuality in Japan through Popular Culture
(Fall 2016, Asian Languages & Cultures/Japanese/Women's, Gender and Sex Studies)
“This course is a brief overview of girl comics in Japan, also known as shōjo manga, which are mostly produced by women for girls. We will trace major historical trends in manga and girls' culture from around 1910 to the early 21st century. As a basis for the course, we will read manga series to try out the wide range of style and content that has evolved over manga's relatively short history, while also gaining a basic understanding of the main artists and working methods of shojo manga -Develop industry (magazines, readers -artist relationship). We will also work on visual analysis skills and explore the relationship between style/technique, narratives and identities. Short secondary readings are awarded, mostly related to shōjo manga but also related to feminist theory, media studies, etc.
As a course on gender and sexuality, this course is about: What is the meaning of manga “for girls” in terms of content, readers, makers, etc.? How do these narratives and images delight in / resist / reproduce / etc. different gender/sexual norms? Rather than judging lyrics as “good” or “bad,” we focus on tracing forms of desire in shojo manga—whether “guilty,” feminist, or ambiguous—in the historical context of modern Japanese society. We will seek to challenge prejudices about subjects and objects of desire and to understand forms of logic behind shocking or surprising depictions of sexualities. Please note that we occasionally come across graphic content depicting sex and violence (e.g. sexual assault, rape) that is discussed in class. (If you have any concerns please speak to me as soon as possible and we can check if the course is right for you or if you can do an alternative task etc.) In short this course will improve your ability to think , speak, and write (even draw) about gender and sexuality, and engage with popular culture texts from a wider range of perspectives. A background in queer and feminist studies, Japan and/or art is certainly welcome but not essential.”
[Ed. Note: Previously offered at Yale University. The curriculum for this isAvailable online.]
Middlebury College
Anime: Masterpieces of Japanese Animation
(Autumn 2018, Film & Media Culture/Japanese Studies)
„How did anime become a distinctive national genre in global popular culture at the turn of the 21st century? What social conditions in Japan encouraged adaptations of manga (graphic novels) into feature films for adult audiences? In this course, students will explore these questions by analyzing the forms and contexts of ten masterpieces by Japanese animation's most prominent directors. We will examine anime's relationship to classic Disney films, live-action Hollywood cinema, and Japanese aesthetic traditions. Students will examine the political and ethical questions raised by anime about the atomic bombings of World War II, individual identity, consciousness and the body, and man's impact on the natural environment. We will study several directors and pay special attention to Miyazaki as anime writers. movies includedTomb of the Fireflies,Akira,ghost in the shell,Perfect Blue,My neighbor Totoro,spirited away, AndThe wind is getting stronger.„
New York University
Animes
“This course introduces students to the artistic and cultural aspects of anime – Japanese animation. The release of the recent direct-to-video link-in film, The Animatrix, is proof that this culture-specific cinematic practice has transcended its national boundaries and become a truly global phenomenon. For Japanese film producers, anime is not only a critical component of a strategy to compete with Hollywood's box office and home video dominance, it is often an intervention in cultural debates about the meaning and identity of the Japanese nation. The class will consider the aesthetics of Japanese animation, its distinct visual styles and complex narrative constructions, as well as its recurring themes, archetypes and generic expressions, and examine how these cinematic products address the concerns of contemporary Japanese society. The focus will be on the full-length films by anime writers including Miyazaki Hayao, Tezuka Osamu, Oshii Mamoru, Takahata Isao and Kawajiri Yoshiaki.”
University of Northern Arizona
Apocalyptic anime
(Spring 2017, First Year Seminar)
"Is the end of the world near? Are we all lost Featuring in-depth discussions and presentations, this seminar offers students a guided opportunity to delve deep beneath the surface of dystopian and apocalyptic anime and manga to examine ethical, moral, and human values associated with specific works. Students practice critical thinking and effective oral communication skills by…
– Participation in dynamic, student-led class discussions
– Examination of the relationships between historical and modern contexts and creative human expressions
– Exploring the hope for a brighter future for humanity through final digital storytelling group projects.”
Self-exploration through anime
(autumn 2017, first semester seminar)
“Do you identify with a certain anime character? Have you ever thought about WHY you have this connection to a certain character in anime, manga or modern Japanese literature? This seminar discusses various social and environmental issues affecting the authors of important Japanese works. Students have the opportunity to…
- Explore the cultural background of anime
- Learn critical thinking and oral communication skills as you develop your own "digital storytelling" project
– Sign up for a 4-week summer session (after completing this course) for a Japanese culture and language course in Japan taught by your teacher!”
Oberlin College
girl manga and more
(Herbst 2017)
“This course introduces important issues related to gender and sexuality through an examination of girl manga or comics (also known as shojo manga) in Japan. What is the meaning of manga “for girls” in terms of content, producers and readers? How does manga resist or reproduce gender/sexual norms? We'll trace the beginnings of Japanese girl culture in the early 20th century, read canonical manga dating back to the 1970s, and examine more recent manga, anime, and live-action works to examine how aesthetics and tropes shaped Japanese popular culture more broadly have shaped. ”
Japanese Religion and Popular Culture: Manga and Anime
“This course examines the depiction of religion in manga and anime and explores the role these new media have played in reshaping the religious and cultural landscape of modern Japan. In addition to analyzing the form and content of this new media, we will look at the production of manga and anime by religious organizations and analyze the reception of this popular media by religious fans and religious practitioners.”
Pace University
Japanese Manga and Anime: History of Asian Media
(Global Asia, Fall)
“This course introduces students to the historical development of Japanese manga and anime in the post-war period. It explores the transformation of traditional Japanese art styles and their influence on contemporary manga, anime, and video game design.”
Pomona-College
Graphically speaking: Japanese manga and its buds
(Japanese, Spring 2017)
Text? Picture? Manga positions itself in the field of tension between image and word, mainstream and subculture, local and global economy. This course examines its historical and cultural context, its technical and narrative strategies, and its local and global significance by reading shôjo girls, shônen boys, information and “other” manga, as well as pop culture, visual education, and graphic arts articles.
Portland State University
Manga: Japanese graphic novels
(Japanese, Fall 2017)
Reading of Japanese comic book masterpieces, analysis of writing on the form of graphic novels. Manga readings are followed by discussions about artistic style, questions about Japanese society, and each novel's place in the history of the genre. Readings/discussions will be held in English. Expected preparation: 8 credits for literature.
Can be used to fulfill one of the postgraduate electivesComics Studies Certificate Program
manga now!
(Japanese, Spring 2019)
“What is the status of Japanese comic (manga) art and storytelling in 21st century Japan? This course examines contemporary Japanese graphic novels, exploring contributions from writer/artists such as Yoshinaga Fumi, Tagame Gengorō, and Higashimura Akiko, who have emerged to critical and popular acclaim since 2001. We focus on issues such as identity, society and gender in Japan through the lens of these contemporary comics and we examine how Japanese people are developing answers to difficult questions posed in their society today.
No knowledge of Japanese language or knowledge of Japanese culture is required.”
Princeton University
Manga: Visual Culture in Modern Japan
(East Asian Studies / Comparative Literature / Art and Archaeology, Spring 2018)
“This course examines the comic book as a medium of expression in Japan. Reading a range of classic and contemporary works from different genres, we consider: how did Japan's particular history shape drawing as an art form there? What critical approaches can help us think productively about comics (and other pop culture)? How can we translate the impact of a visual medium into the written language of science? What do changes in media technology, literacy and distribution mean for comics today? The coursework combines readings, written analysis and technical exercises. All readings in English. No visual arts experience required.”
Queens-College
Modern Japanese in translation
(East Asian Studies, Spring 2016)
“In this course, anime (Japanese animation) is studied as a form expressing Japanese social and psychological conditions after World War II. The course focuses on the works of Osamu Tezuka and Hayao Miyazaki, the two most influential animators of the 20th centurythand 21stCentury, as well as other related anime plays and films.”
Rice University
Critical Analysis of Anime
“This course will consist of case studies that highlight unique elements within the anime industry. The topics of discussion touch on different thematic interpretations between East and West and culturally relevant perspectives on social and philosophical issues. Students will also encounter discussions about translations, animation studios, and the anime creation process.”
Rochester Institute of Technology
Animes
This introductory overview course explores the history, aesthetics, and style of Japanese animation, or "anime." The course provides a vocabulary for analyzing anime and the critical and analytical skills to interpret anime as an art form. This course develops students' skills to contemplate, analyze, interpret, and evaluate the art of anime. Students will learn to analyze major series and films and connect anime to contemporary and historical trends in Japan. The focus is on analyzing the work of major directors and studios including: Tezuka, Sugii, Miyazaki, Oshii, Kon, Takahata, Shinkai, Watanabe, Studio Ghibli, Studio 4C and Madhouse. Background knowledge of animation, film or anime is helpful, but no special knowledge is assumed or expected.
Rutgers, New Jersey State University
Anime: Introduction to Japanese Animation
"Anime as a subject of cultural, historical and media studies analysis. Development of Japanese animation from after 1945 to the present, with a special focus on examples from the 1980s onwards. Uses a variety of approaches to anime, including media theory, reception theory, globalization issues, and cross-cultural adaptation.”
San Francisco State University
Themen in Comics: Manga!
(Humanities, Spring 2019)
“Curious about manga or want to test your otaku knowledge? Discover the hidden manga stories in Japan and worldwide; Read pioneering works and learn about the culture and circumstances that led to one of Japan's most famous exports! We'll focus on the transformations in the look and feel of manga over the past century and explore its relationships with fashion trends and the visual arts. We'll also look at the types of relationships manga builds with its audience, and look at the history of manga's reception in popular culture (including cosplay, dojinshi, fan fiction, manga cafes, and more) and academia.”
Can be used as one of the undergraduate electivesMinor Comic Studies.
Sarah-Lawrence-College
Introduction to Japanese Anime (Movie History)
Japanese animation, or anime, is a global phenomenon - a cultural export that represents Japan itself in much of the world. Defined as “Japanese” by a national identity but loved by an international audience of fans and creators, anime is a contradictory and diverse set of texts that allows us to reflect on what it means for culture to exist in the 20th and 21st centuries .century global flows centuries. In this course, students will learn about the history of Japanese animation from the 1920s to the present day. The course offers a broad perspective on Japanese animation, from mainstream television animation to experimental art animation, but with an emphasis on the specific tradition of Japanese animation production that has come to be known as "anime" around the world. We will discuss anime as an intermedia consumer art form that is deeply connected to other media, such as manga (comics), toys, video games, literature, music, traditional art, and live-action film. Our own experiences with anime as consumers/fans are set in the context of academic animation theories and anime research methods. Students will learn about the cultural and historical context of Japan while examining their own position in creating global anime reception. Assignments help students develop research skills in Japanese studies, formal film analysis skills, and creative methods for scholarly engagement. Topics include production and marketing (e.g. “media mix”), technology and labor, gender and sexuality, propaganda and political interests (e.g. “Cool Japan”), race and colonialism, genre, authorship, reception and fan culture (e.g. "otaku" and "fujoshi"), religion, comedy, video games and interactive media, and intertextuality. Works discussed includeAstro Boy; films by Miyazaki Hayao,Galaxy Express 999,Sailor Moon,Doraemon,Mobile Suit Gundam,Naruto, manga by Hagio Moto,Neon-Genesis-Evangelion,ghost in the shell,Osomatsu-san, stop-motion animation by Kawamoto Kihachirō and the works of Shinkai Makoto.
Smith College
Manga in a Thousand Years: Critical Approaches to Manga and Anime
„This course examines the emergence and development of manga, places manga in its historical context, and honors it as an integral part of Japanese art and culture, which is as complex and compelling as it is popular. Exploring a range of manga genres and manga-related media—illustrated narrative scrolls, woodcuts, popular picture books, strip comics, and animation—we revisit traditional notions of what the popular visual form was and can be. Some of the issues we address are narrativity and visuality, the production of satirical imagery and visual modernity, and censorship.”
University at Stanford
decode anime
(Music 25)
“Anime as an artistic form often features highly imaginative graphics, impressive music, vivid characters, and fantastic stories. The course aims to decipher the expressive power of anime using a method of multimedia analysis focused on the interaction between its components: story, image, sound and music. Through close reading of the works of five leading and innovative directors, students will develop tools to analyze and interpret anime in a larger cultural context.”
Dramatic manga
“In-depth reading and analysis of so-called “dramatic” or “realistic” manga (gekiga), focusing on one of the main protagonists of this genre (Saito Takao, Tatsumi Yoshihiro, Taniguchi Jiro, Sugiura Hinako, Mase Motoro and others). Readings in Japanese and English translation.”
Manga als Literatur
"Analysis of representative manga as narratives combining verbal and visual elements, considering the historical and cultural background. Representative manga by Tezuka Osamu, Tatsumi Yoshihiro, Koike Kazuo, Taniguchi Jiro, Natsume Ono, Kono Fumiyo and others. All readings in English.”
Religion in anime and manga
(Winter 2017, Religious Studies)
“Religious themes and topoi are ubiquitous in Japanese anime and manga. In this course we will explore how religions are portrayed in these new media and explore the role of religions in contemporary Japan. In this way, students also learn basic concepts of Buddhism and Shinto.”
Stevenson University
St. Olaf-College
history of anime
(Asia Studies, Autumn 2014)
Die Philosophy of Anime
(Asian Studies)
“This course covers Japanese anime works from the post-WWII era to the present. The course begins with an introduction to the language and theory of Anime Studies. In the weeks that follow, students watch and analyze a variety of anime genres. This course uses a comparative approach to studying anime; each anime is paired with excerpts from german works of philosophy or literature. All anime watched for this course will have English subtitles. Can be credited for the majors in Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Film Studies and Media Studies.”
Stony Brook University
Humanities Topics: Manga and Anime
“Manga and anime are now extremely popular in the US as well as in most other countries. Where did you start? And what are you? This course gives an overview where watching anime and reading manga will be the core of the course. This course will complement this overview with an examination of the history, current state, and complexities of manga and anime through reflection, classroom discussion, and short readings.”
SUNY Oneonta
Anime and manga history
(world history)
“This course traces the history of Japanese anime (animation) and manga (comics) from the Japanese traditions of illustrated scrolls and woodcuts to the explosion of comics in post-war Japan and the saturation of Japanese television with anime in the late 20th century and early 20th century of the twenty-first century. In 2015, manga accounted for a third of all Japanese print publications (over ten thousand different releases), while Japan's animation industry (with the help of other Asian studios) produced over three hundred and forty different anime series for television. Today, people all over the world enjoy anime and manga, but this course will examine them to understand their Japanese cultural significance and how they reflect the social, political, and military history of Japan and the rest of the world. In addition, we will discuss the production of anime and manga and how it differs from animation and comics produced in the United States. A-E only. Offered annually.”
Die Ohio State University
Analyzing the appeal of manga
“In recent years, artifacts of Japanese popular culture have spread around the world, creating a global youth culture that is attracting research interest. This seminar focuses on manga that has been translated into English.
The goal of this course is to introduce students to manga as a research resource that can be analyzed from many perspectives. The manga selected for the course are by some of Japan's most famous cartoonists and represent a range of genres and styles. Students will improve their information literacy and develop presentation skills while exploring the fascinating world of manga.”
The University of Kansas
Manga: Stories and Theories
(art history/history)
Manga (Japanese comics) has long been an extremely popular and influential medium in Japan and internationally. Manga offer engaging narratives and visual images that reveal central concerns not only of Japanese culture, history, society, and politics, but also of the global culture industry. The medium has been studied through various disciplinary lenses ranging from art history to visual culture and media studies to literature, sociology and anthropology. By examining multiple manga artists and works from the late 19th century to the present, and reading a wide range of scholarship, this course explores the key themes and theoretical approaches used in interdisciplinary manga study.
The University of Texas, Dallas
Fantasy-Literatur: Anime/Manga – Serious Fun
[curriculum]
“In this course we will present a selection of Japanese anime (animation), manga (graphic novels/comics), poetry and light novels, focusing on how they represent and adapt a variety of fantasy themes and conventions. For many centuries, human cultures have used visual and verbal fantasy narratives as modes of philosophical speculation and exploration, as well as popular forms of entertainment. Anime and manga represent new manifestations of this ancient quest and pose interesting challenges for us as readers (performers) and consumers of culture, as well as creative contributors.”
The University of the South
The fantastic world of anime
(Asian Studies)
This course explores the many worlds represented in Japanese animation and draws on researchAnimeStudies to trace the history of animation from its origins in 17th-century woodcuts to postmodernism. As Japan's greatest cultural export, the art of animated film and animation has spread to all corners of the world. The course examines animated films and animation as a genre rooted in Japanese culture, while also considering theAnimeSubculture that has gained popularity in America and elsewhere.
The University of Utah
Japanese anime
“This class introduces anime, Japanese animation, including its history, genres, and cultural and social contexts. Through critical analysis, reflection, and interpretation of anime, this course provides participants with an understanding of postmodern visual culture and examines issues of globalization, visual simulation, nature and technologies, viewer subjectivity, and the representation of gender and sexuality.”
To my knowledge, Utah is the only university in the US that currently offers a full animation studies program (B.A., film and media arts, focus on animation), with this class as a possible elective.
Towson University
Japanese culture and civilization through manga
"Outline of the history and culture of Japan from 1868 to 1989 through manga. Conducted in Japanese.”
Tufts University
Japanese Film Director: Hayao Miyazaki (Seminar: Special Topics)
“This course takes an in-depth look at the works of Hayao Miyazaki, who is now considered by many to be the world's greatest living animator. Beginning with his first hit TV series Future Boy Conan, we go chronologically through his major films and end with his latest available work, Ponyo. Along the way we will explore recurring themes and issues such as the role of trauma, apocalypse and the child's perspective and animation techniques, use of imagery and music. We will also be looking at several Western films (Wall-e, Where the Wild Things Are and Avatar) for comparison purposes.”
[This course is taught by Prof. Susan Napier, author ofPanic Pages: The Japanese Idea of DisastersGodzillaToAkira(Journal of Japanese Studies, 19:2, Summer 1993), the first article on Japanese animation to be published in a scholarly journal in English, andAnime from Akira to Mononoke: Experience contemporary Japanese animation, (2001), the first book on anime to be published by a major Western academic publisher.]
Union College
Discover Japanese manga and anime
„This course explores the rich world of Japanese manga (comic books) and anime (animation), one of Japan's most significant cultural products and a dominant global media export. Topics include the issues of the relationship between man and nature; gender relations; people and technology; "Japaneseness" from Anime; and globalization of manga. This course is taught in English and no prior knowledge of Japanese is required.„
University of Buffalo(New York State University)
The fantastic world of Japanese anime
(Asian Studies)
“Over the past three decades, Japanese popular culture has overtaken the technology industry to become Japan's biggest export. In particular, anime (Japanese animation), the most profitable form of Japanese popular culture, has become increasingly visible around the world. Though anchored by several mass-effective works in the United States, anime fandom remains a subculture with increasingly influential followers occupying a cultural fringe. This course introduces students to this unique subculture and presents an academic approach to viewing the anime art form. In addition to focusing on specific anime genres, this course pays special attention to four influential anime directors. Oshii Mamoru, Satoshi Kon, Hosoda Mamoru and Miyazaki Hayao. This course is designed to be interactive while building a thorough understanding of the anime medium through its history, artists, and institutions. The course will not only focus on the critical analysis of films, but will also use anime as a medium to study Japanese culture in general, with a certain focus on production. The teaching is in English.”
University of California, Berkeley
Animes
(Summer 2019, Film & Media)
“In this course we will examine Japanese anime, from early experiments in animation at the turn of the 20th century to its current status as a popular art form and industry worldwide. This course covers the history of anime, emphasizing the specific political, economic, and cultural contexts of its production and reception. The students learn to deal critically with the historical, narrative and formal dimensions of the medium. These include (but are not limited to) investigations into national identity and history, global political economy, gender and sexuality, fan cultures, and genres. We will also use anime to consider animation's position in the broader discipline of film and media, and ask how anime's specific technical and aesthetic conditions complicate issues such as realism, indexicality, and media specificity. The readings offer a wide range of methods for studying anime, presenting theoretical perspectives on the form and historical and cultural contextualization. Movies and series include Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Spirited Away, Paprika, Attack on Titan, Your Name and more.”
National Cinemas: Anime
(Spring 2017, Film & Media)
“How does anime create meaning? How has it become a central form of expression in many cultures today? How does it reveal cultural changes and create new ways of processing strong feelings? How does the anime industry work and what does it show about global change? How does watching anime change our understanding of our life experiences?
This course is a lecture and discussion course focused on delving deeper into Japanese animation or anime as a medium, from its earliest forms to contemporary works. We will ponder issues of digital culture, seriality, East Asian transnational circulation, and the relationship between anime, manga (comics), games, and cinema; limited and full animation; cultural catastrophe and post-war period; Body and Sexuality, Queer/Yaoi (BL) and Otaku Culture, and Anime's Place in Contemporary Media Theory. We will see works by Miyazaki Hayao, Kon Satoshi, Anno Hideaki, Oshii Mamoru and many others.”
University of California, Davis
Ecology, Technology and Anime
(autumn 2016, basic seminar)
“In this course we will look at selected anime films and shows to examine the ecology, science and technology of the contemporary Anthropocene (man-altered planet). In a world of global climate change, genetic engineering, cyborgs, robots and other sentient non-humans, Japanese and Japanese-inspired anime and manga offer an intriguing, spooky, and fun way to explore the serious issues of the Anthropocene's ecology and science with a study in technology. In this course, students watch selected anime films and shows and read some accompanying theoretical and poetic texts. The course will explore topics and issues such as global warming, extinction, biomedicalization, anthropomorphism, animalization and other interhuman and nonhuman relationships - both technological and biological, augmentation and change.”
University of California, Santa Barbara
understand manga
(History of Art and Architecture)
“This class will read manga (animated cartoons/comics/graphic novels by Japanese people) up close, using examples from the 19th century to the present day. We analyze the visual design, the narrative flow and the word-image relationship. Historically, we will reflect on the changing definition of manga over time and how politics, changing media and globalization played a role in defining the form. Student discussion, presentations and a paper required.
Previous knowledge of manga is welcome (or more generally in Japan and Japanese).”
University of Central Florida
Manga, Anime & Gender: Intercultural Texts & Communication
“This seminar will examine contemporary Japanese magna (graphic novels) and amine (animated television and film), combining intercultural competence and communication with critical literary and textual analysis. The course focuses primarily on the message construction of gender norms (and the critique of those norms) in various genres of contemporary magna and anime, considering not only what these constructions mean in their Japanese context, but also what happens when they do be translated for American audiences. All tests are conducted in English translation or with subtitles.”
University of Florida
Read the manga
[curriculum]
“This course aims to improve students' reading skills in Japanese as well as skills in the remaining four main areas of language learning (speaking, listening and writing) through manga. Students review and learn Japanese structures and expressions and have the opportunity to experience colloquialisms, contractions, interjections and other elements of language. Because this class has students with different ability levels, it includes individual reading activities using Extensive Reading (also known as Graded Reading). For this, students choose their own materials and focus on acquiring skills to enjoy the content of manga without translation. As part of the class, students learn and discuss the world of Japanese comics and visual novels in English so they can continue to enjoy manga from many perspectives.”
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Japanese Cultural Studies (Manga and Anime)
“EALL 375 is an overview of Japanese manga (comics) and anime (animation) from their beginnings in the mid-20th century to the present. Although manga and anime appeal to an international audience, this course will examine them as a Japanese medium and critically examine how they interact with ideology and history in Japan.”
University of Idaho
Japanese Anime (Foreign Language – English)
Selected Japanese animation films are examined as cultural products; Each film is embedded in its socio-economic, political, cultural and/or historical context. Knowledge of Japanese is not required.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Manga/Anime
“Having angered much of the rest of the world during World War II and then engaged in a struggle for economic dominance in the 1980s, Japan is now in the odd position of being a phenomenally successful exporter of pop culture. The face of this wave of cultural exports has been manga (animated cartoons, comics and graphic novels) and anime (animation). This course has three basic objectives. First, to give students tools to understand manga and anime on their own terms. Second, to examine the role that manga and anime play in Japan. Third, to examine how manga and anime flow from one place to another and see what assumptions control or limit that flow. For this purpose, we will examine manga and anime in their various forms such as: For example, newspaper comics, serialized graphic novels, television animation, OVA (original video animation), and feature-length cinema animation.”
University of Michigan
Japanese freshman through anime/manga
(Herbst 2017)
ASIANLAN 123 is the first half of the first-year Japanese course taught through different types of media, mainly anime and manga. It is intended for students who have some prior knowledge of Japanese (recognition of hiragana/katakana, basic greetings, etc.) but not enough to advance to a higher level. The course integrates various forms of Japanese media into class activities to improve students' language skills. This approach not only makes language learning more fun, but also increases familiarity with aspects of both traditional and modern Japanese culture that are necessary for language proficiency. This course also encourages students to become autonomous language learners by providing personalized assignments that students can adapt to their own needs and interests (such as drawing original manga).
By the end of this course, students will have:
– built a repertoire of vocabulary and basic sentence patterns that enables them to talk about themselves and personally relevant topics exclusively in Japanese;
– Developing the pragmatic and socio-cultural skills needed to gain a basic understanding of anime, manga and other Japanese media;
– mastered the writing systems Hiragana and Katakana and around 50 Kanji (Chinese characters); And
– learned to use the Japanese writing system to read parts of the manga and prepared texts and to write about topics relevant to themselves and personally.
Course requirements:
Attendance, class performance and participation, assignments, personalized projects, quizzes and classroom tests, final written and oral exams and final project
Target group:
Students from many disciplines who want to start learning Japanese. The course is not designed for native speakers who: 1) speak Japanese as a native language 2) have completed their high school education at an institution where the language of instruction is Japanese only.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Manga as Japanese Art and Culture
“This course explores contemporary Japanese language and culture through the pop culture media of manga and anime. Topics include manga history, production and various genres of Japanese comics, manga.”
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Anime and popular culture
(Japanese, Spring 2017)
“The goal of this course is to provide an overview of anime as a film category. The course covers the unique characteristics of anime, its genres and classifications, major films/shows and movements, and a brief overview of its history. No prior knowledge of anime or film or the Japanese language is required.”
[curriculum]
University of North Florida
Anime-Movies
(movie, spring 2019)
"Anime Cinema explores the history of Japanese animation (anime) and provides a critical analysis of the cultural and aesthetic achievements of prominent anime directors from the 1980s to the present day."
University of North Georgia
Japanese anime
(media studies)
“This course explores the cultural, historical, and (trans)national origins of Japanese anime and their enduring influence on its later development. A product of both Japanese cultural traditions and external global influences, anime has evolved from a niche market into one with broader global appeal. Anime is a complex reflection of cultural flow, reflecting aspects of Japan's post-war identity while serving as a prime example of how culture flows between nations. By exploring the different facets of anime and its relationship to other media, students learn more about Japanese cultural history, racial identity, and how culture flows around the world—including right here at home.”
University of Oregon
history of the manga
(Spring 2017, also offered Spring 2016, Winter 2015)
Manga Millennium
(Spring 2015)
“MANGA MILLENNIUM explores the thousand-year history of visual-verbal narratives - comics - in Japan. Manga, the modern Japanese form of comics, has become an inescapable part of global popular culture, but few fans are aware of the rich tradition of comics and comic-book-like narratives that existed in Japan before the development of manga.
This course provides an overview of the history of this medium from its classical beginnings to the present day. We focus in particular on three forms of visual-verbal literature: the narrative picture scrolls of the classic and medieval periods (approx. 11th-16th centuries), the "yellowback" comics of the early modern period (18th-19th centuries), and the manga of the 20th-21st century. No familiarity with Japan is required; This course also serves as an introduction to Japanese culture. In addition to the history of comics in Japan, we look at the relationship of comics to Japanese literature, art, theater and film. We will also explore the relationship between text and image, the evolution of popular culture, and the nature of the comic medium itself.”
Transnational Japanese Animation History and Theory
[curriculum]
University of Pennsylvania
Religion of Anime
Be it shrine maidens, gods of death and bodhisattvas fighting for justice; Apocalypse, afterlife and apotheosis… the popular Japanese illustrated media of manga and anime are full of religious characters and religious ideas. This course uses popular illustrated media as a tool to trace the long history of deep interdependence between media and religion in Japan.
[Pennsylvania daily article, 20. September 2019] — [curriculum]
University of Pittsburgh
Global anime
(Herbst 2015)
“This course provides a systematic introduction to the forms, history and culture of Japanese animation (anime). While examining the historical developments, artistic styles, main themes, and subgenres of anime both in the national context of Japan and in the wider course of globalization, this course particularly focuses on analyzing the forms and idioms of anime in the context of changing technological conditions and their cultural impact. Students are expected to relate the aesthetic and cultural characteristics of anime to their own daily experience of browsing the internet, video games and social networks, and to expand their artistic interest in anime to broader theoretical questions particularly relevant to information are like posthumanism, techno-orientalism, media convergence and participatory cultures. Teaching methods include assigned readings; film screenings in class; lectures and discussions; a takeaway midterm exam; oral presentation; and thesis.”
University of Rochester
Anime: Japanese animation
life and anime
(Japanese, Spring 2018
cross-listed: Comparative Studies, English Studies, Film & Media Studies)
„The etymology of the word "anime" leads from the English "animate" to the Latin "animare" - to breathe life. This course explores both how anime brings philosophy to life and the questions anime raises about the good (and bad) life. This course covers Japanese anime works from the post-WWII era to the present day. We begin with an introduction to the language and theory of Anime Studies. In the weeks that follow, students watch and analyze a variety of anime genres. This course uses a comparative approach to studying anime: each anime is paired with excerpts from German works of philosophy or literature. The course concludes with pairings of visits and readings chosen by the students. All anime watched for this course will have English subtitles.„
[Ed. Note: Prof. William Bridges previously taught this course at St. Olaf College. The curriculum he has prepared for the 2014 semester isarchivedon the personal page of Prof. Bridges.]
University of San Diego
Global Anime and Manga: Reading Contemporary Culture
(English, Spring 2018)
“This course examines anime and manga as significant narrative forms that give us critical insights into contemporary culture and its future. Starting with critically acclaimed anime and manga texts from East Asia, we will also delve into their European and North American counterparts to gain insight into transcultural production, circulation and consumption in the age of globalization. As we analyze anime and manga against the backdrop of the rise of global visual culture, we place particular emphasis on issues such as globalization and cultural hybridity; nature and ecology; reality vs. simulation; utopia and apocalypse; new media and cyberspace; man-machine interface; posthumanism; and techno-orientalism.”
University of Southern California
Dreams of Madness: The Art of the Japanese Animation Age
(Spring 2018)
“This class provides an in-depth look at the art, politics, and cultural influence of several Japanese filmmakers, including Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda, and Makoto Shinkai.
Course description:
We will examine films from three different periods to understand the material, cultural, spiritual, and political themes that emerge in the work of Japanese anime over a 30-year period, and examine how they are reflected, communicated, and represented in animation art become. Taking the medium of animation itself as a core theme, we will explore the questions of what animation art in general can uniquely express and how each director uses the “art of movement” to convey specific themes and themes. Format: After completing the introductory lectures and discussion, we follow a format based on the following: 1. Introduction and Viewing Each film is screened and students are provided with a list of 10-12 discussion suggestions to help focus the discussion on the film and become specific to engage topics of the reading week. 2. Weekly seminar The seminar consists of two parts: a lecture followed by a student discussion. The lecture will focus on the thematic analysis of each film structured around key concepts (2 hours). The students will then take part in an hour-long guided discussion, debating questions or moral dilemmas raised in the film.”
"Examines the visual, dramatic, and social conventions of Japanese animation in film and television. Examines anime fan communities, manga and its impact.”
Ursinus College
Animes
(Autumn 2016, East Asian Studies/Film Studies)
“It's not just for otaku anymore. In this course on Japanese anime, one of Japan's greatest contributions to global culture, we will explore the history of anime, its social and historical context, its approach to storytelling, and its themes, ranging from mecha and cyborg genres to reach to history. Romance and Miyazaki Hayao. We will see both long-form and short-form anime and examine their connections to manga. And yes, we even take a look at fan culture. The course is taught in English and all videos have English subtitles. The course fulfills the core requirement "G" (Global Study) or "H" (Humanities) and the national cinema requirement for the minor subject Film Studies. All students must register for screenings (FS250S) which take place on Monday evenings.”
Japanese anime
“A study of Japanese anime (animation) from its inception to the present, with a particular focus on its historical development and sociocultural context. The course features anime from creators such as Tezuka Osamu, Miyazaki Hayao, Otomo Katsuhiro, Takahashi Rumiko, Matsumoto Leiji, Anno Hideaki, Rintaro, Kon Satoshi, and Oshii Mamoru. Both short- and feature-length anime will be considered, as well as representative works from a variety of genres, including mecha, romance, history, and the supernatural. The connections between manga and anime are covered, as well as various aspects of anime production, technology, economics, and distribution. Questions raised in this course include: (1) How does anime address what it means to be Japanese and to grow up and live in Japanese society, and (2) How does anime address what it means being human as opposed to, for example, a cyborg or a mutant? The course is taught in English and all films have English subtitles. No prerequisites. Required screenings are on Mondays at 7 p.m. This course meets the Global Interconnections (GN) requirement for the college core curriculum. All students must register for FS250S.A (screenings).”
Vanderbilt University
Self and Cyborg in Japanese Animation
(Asian Studies)
“Can one be human in a non-human body? At what point do technological improvements in the body diminish humanity? To what extent can an artificial intelligence develop a sense of self? What is the relationship between body, mind, self and identity? How do visual and electronic media construct and deconstruct self-identity? Who are you? These are just a few of the questions this course addresses through the medium of Japanese animation (AnimeThe anime covered includes the works of Oshii Mamoru, Kon Satoshi, and Nakamura Ryutaro.”
Washington-Universität St. Louis
Freshman Seminar – Japanese Animation
“In today's media landscape, film, television, games, publishing and merchandising are increasingly interconnected, helping to spread cultural products around the world. Japanese animation is one of the earliest and most successful examples of this powerful strategy. This course examines the global Japanese anime franchising industry to explore fundamental questions about media and popular culture: How do we define a medium? How do consumer practices shape the media and popular culture? What are the effects of globalization on the media and global media on national culture? Our investigations into "cool" Japan and its enthusiastic consumer cultures include: animation aesthetics and technology; media convergence; anime fan cultures; Science fiction and global media's reshaping of the body, history and identity. No prerequisites.”
Washington State University
Transnational Anime: History and Theory of Japanese Animation
(Spring 2019)
Media coverage:
YaleJapanese anime characters help teach language and culture skills
(WSU-Insider, 22. Dez. 2018)
Wellesley-College
Japanese animation
“How does Japan tick? New visitors to Japan are always struck by the persistence of traditional aesthetics, art and values in a highly industrialized society fascinated by novelty. Through animation films (English subtitles) and lectures about animation, we will explore this phenomenon from the inside. The focus is on the works of Tezuka Osamu, Hayao Miyazaki and others. No Japanese language required.”
Wesleyan University
Introduction to Japanese History: The Life of a Manga Artist in 20th Century Japan
(story, Spring 2019)
“This course uses the four-volume autobiographical manga by Mizuki Shigeru (1922-2015) entitled 'Showa: A History of Japan' to provide an overview of most of 20th-century Japanese history and some basic concepts and methods introduce the historical investigation. Mizuki is best known for manga depicting supernatural characters - yokai - based on Japanese folk tales. One, GeGeGe no Kitaro, became a hugely popular animated series (check it out on YouTube). We will use this four-volume series, along with various primary sources and other materials, to trace 20th-century Japan's journey from democracy to militarism back to democracy in the lives of ordinary Japanese.”
Wichita State University
*** NEU ***
Japanese manga and anime
(Japanese, Fall 2019)