Pop Music Revolutionaries in Modern Japan
CEAS 285
Spring 2025
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01
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How do musicians, fans, industry stakeholders, and holders of political power use music to tell stories of everyday life? How does music become a means through which different visions for social, cultural, and political life are imagined and articulated, especially in moments of crisis and upheaval? This course introduces the work of influential musical figures in modern and contemporary Japan-from rock stars to folk singers, enka crooners to "idols"-and considers trends and topics in modern Japanese society through the lens of different forms of musical expression. By considering the work of these figures in their own historical contexts and in light of relevant scholarship, the course provides an opportunity to learn not only about songs and artists not often encountered outside of Japan, but also about the everyday historical, social, and political contexts within which they are embedded-and to which, often, they aim to speak back. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CEAS |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-MN)(CEAS)(CEAS-Lit&Cult) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
In this course we will explore the music and lyrics of influential performers and songwriters from across modern Japanese history, including protest-folk singers Takada Wataru and Kagawa Ry¿, rock superstars Hamada Shogo and Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, enka crooners Hosokawa Takashi and Miyako Harumi, 'idol' artists including Matsuda Seiko and Nakaori Akina, groups like AKB 48 and Princess Princess, and more. We will also read secondary-source material selected conceive productively of popular music in/as scholarship, and develop historical and contextual understandings of the music and performances that we encounter. Musical selections and readings may change from year to year; refer to the course syllabus for comprehensive list of materials to be covered.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Periodic reflection papers, participation in class discussions. For the final assignment students may choose between creative or research work. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
English-language translations will be provided for all lyrics and other textual materials. No formal background in music studies, or knowledge of Japanese language, history, or culture, is needed to succeed in this course. |
| Instructor(s): Aalgaard,Scott Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: FISK302; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 4 | FR: 4 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 2 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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