This quarter I am teaching a freshman seminar — the syllabus is posted below:
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Arts and Sciences 138.05: Freshman Seminar
Analyzing the Appeal of Manga
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In recent years artifacts of Japanese popular culture have spread worldwide, creating a global youth culture that has only begun to attract research interest. This seminar focuses on printed manga now being translated into English at an unprecedented rate.
The objective of this course is to introduce students to manga as research resources that can be analyzed from many perspectives. Manga selected for the course are by some of the most famous Japanese cartoonists and represent a range of genres and styles. Students will enhance their information literacy skills and develop presentation techniques while exploring the fascinating world of manga.
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Course Format
* This one-credit course will meet once a week for 48 minutes.
* The course is divided into two units: 1) Introduction, early manga; 2) manga of the 60s and 70s; 3) manga of the 80s and 90s.
* Approximately two hours of work is expected to be completed in preparation for each class. Students read as much as possible of the assignments in two hours.
* Although some of these manga have been made into anime, students are expected to read the printed manga rather than watch the animated versions.
* All readings are in English.
* Assigned readings are available on Reserve as well as for purchase at the University Bookstore.
* Students sign up to take turns leading class discussions on specific manga.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken during every class meeting. Participation in class discussion is required and will be noted during every class meeting. Students are expected to have read assigned manga carefully so as to be able to participate actively in class discussions.
Classroom Discussion Format
Classes are divided into three 16-minute segments. Two of the segments are for students (who will sign up ahead of time) to make five to seven minute presentations on specific aspects of the assigned manga, followed by general class discussion. The third segment will be for the instructor’s mini-lecture on a specific topic, introducing the history of manga, manga studies, and methods of analyzing manga.
Grading : Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (Satisfactory = 80%)
Attendance 20%
Class participation 50%
Discussion leadership 30%
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Weekly Syllabus
Unit 1: Introduction; early manga
Week 1: Course overview; introductory lecture on the history of manga
Introductions
Students sign up to prepare and lead discussions of two manga
Assignment: Scott McCloud. Understanding Comics. Chapter 1
Henry Kiyama. The Four Immigrants Manga
Week 2: Topic: Manga as sequential art
Discussion focus: Henry Kiyama. The Four Immigrants Manga (1931)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 2
Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1
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Unit 2: Manga of the ‘60s and ‘70s
Week 3: Topic: Iconic Characters and Realistic Backgrounds in Manga
Discussion focus: Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1 (1963)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 3
Tezuka, Osamu. Phoenix: Dawn
Week 4: Topic: Closure (panel to panel transitions) in Manga
Discussion focus: Tezuka Osamu. Phoenix (1967)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 4
Monkey Punch. Lupin III. Volume 1
Week 5 Topic: Time and Motion in Manga
Discussion focus: Monkey Punch. Lupin III (1967)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 5
Koike, Kazuo & Kojima, Goseki. Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1
Week 6: Topic: Senses and Emotions in Manga
Discussion focus: Koike, Kazuo & Kojima, Goseki. Lone Wolf and Cub Vol.1 (1970)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 6
Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1
Week 7 Topic: Gender and Sexuality in Manga
Discussion focus: Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1 (1976)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 7
Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1
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Unit 3: Manga of the ‘80s and ‘90s
Week 8 Topic: Genres and the Commodification of Manga
Discussion focus: Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1 (1984)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 8
Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 1
Week 9 The Craft of Manga; Social Commentary in Manga
Discussion focus: Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1 (1984)
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 1 (1995)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 9
Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu-yasha. Volume 1
Week 10 Fan Culture and Manga
Discussion focus: Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu-yasha. Volume 1 (1997)
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Texts (two copies of each are on Reserve in Main Library)
Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1 (La Jolla: DC Comics, 2005)
Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1 (Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2003)
Kiyama, Henry. The Four Immigrants Manga (Berkeley: Stone Bridge Press, 1999)
Koike, Kazuo and Goseki Kojima.
Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1 (Milwaukee, OR: Dark Horse, 2000)
McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: the Invisible Art (HarperCollins, 1994)
Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2004)
Monkey Punch. Lupin III. Volume 1 (Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2002)
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2004)
Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu Yasha Volume 1. 2d ed. (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)
Tezuka, Osamu. Phoenix: Volume 1: Dawn (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)
Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)
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Academic Misconduct
It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct (http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/info_for_students/csc.asp).
Disability Services
Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact the Office for Disability Services (http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/) at 614-292-3307 TDD 292-0901 in 150 Pomerene Hall to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
