Media and Communications in Japan

Sachiko KONDO

Objective
   This lecture is designed for students who wish to study critical readings on news stories (i.e. media literacy). In this series of lectures, not only theories of communication, but also the history of mass media in modern Japanese society will be discussed. In so doing, several aspects of the mass media will be studied, such as newspapers, broadcast (TV), magazine journalism, and so on. Based on lectures and discussions, students will be required to formulate ideas about the contribution of the media to the maintenance of 'democratic' societies, and the problems the media faces.

Course Schedule
   Topics Discussed in Each Week (These may be revised at the beginning of the semester.)

1. Introduction / What is 'Communication', what is 'Media'?
2. Media and Communication Theories 1
3. Media and Communication Theories 2
4. Media and Society (Post-Meiji Japan)
5. Media and Society (Post-war Japan)
6. Theories of Social Psychology
7. News Papers (problems such as the 'club system') / Stereotypes 1
8. Broadcasting (history / problems) / 'Banal Nationalism'
9. Magazine Journalism / 'Making News'
10. Imperial Coverage and Japanese Media
11. Publishing industry
12. News Agency
13. Summery
14. Examination
15. Revision and summery

Textbook and Reference

• Billig, M. (1995). Banal Nationalism. London: Sage.
• Lippmann, W. (1922). Public Opinion. New York: MacMillan.
• Said, E. W. (1981). Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World. New York: Pantheon Books.
• Tuchman, G. (1978). Making News: A Study in the Construction of Reality. New York: Free Press.
• Wetherell, M. (ed.). Identities Groups and Social Issues. London: Sage.
• Watanabe, T. (1996). Japan's Media at Present

Grading

• Class participation:40%
• Examination/Quiz:60%