This course introduces students to aspects of popular culture in East Asia. Students learn about major theoretical paradigms in cultural studies, and how they may apply to developments in East Asian popular culture in the past and present. Students explore what drives the consumption of popular culture, and whether that consumption can be argued to represent resistance. Case studies are drawn from, among others, advertising, cinema, gadgets, fashion, pop music, and social media in mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, with a slight emphasis on the latter.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the roots and outcomes of some of the primary idiosyncrasies of East Asian popular culture;
- Apply major paradigms in cultural studies, and evaluate their merits and shortcomings;
- Examine the historical, social and cultural environments that lead to developments in popular culture;
- Analyse the root causes of fan behaviour and consumption patterns;
- Orally present and defend ideas and positions.
Other Information
This is a co-taught course. Any cap on enrolments in one course applies to both courses combined.
All course materials and instructions will be provided through the course Wattle site shortly before the start of the course. Students should familiarise themselves with the course plan and read the two articles listed for week 1 ahead of the first meeting.
Course will run over 12 weeks and be taught as a single block of 3 hours (with a break in the middle). The block comprises:
- 12 lectures (duration ± 2 hours), to be recorded.
- 12 tutorials (duration ± 1 hour), unrecorded. Attendance compulsory.
Indicative Assessment
- Selfeature (10) [LO 3,4]
- Mid-term exam (10) [LO 1]
- Critical reviews (2, of 1,250 words each) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final essay presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final essay (3,500 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The total workload for the course is 130 hours including in class time and independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
N/A
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3588 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |