Gender in Japanese Culture

Catalog description

his course introduces students to the workings of gender roles and images in Japanese culture and society from ancient times to the present day. We will begin with a general introduction to key terms: the notions of gender and the body, gender relations, power, performance, cultural re/presentation, sexuality and eroticism. Then we will address various gender issues in Japan from a historical and cultural perspective, focusing on the complexity of gender images and functions in Japanese history, exploring in particular the role of women in the cultural processes. We will also make references to similar gender topics in Western and other Asian societies.