Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Film and Media Studies
Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-198191 FMST 210-01 After the Quake: Introduction to Disaster Literature and Cinema in Japan Fall 2025 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 615 PM 730 PM 08/25/2025 12/17/2025
Enrollment: Enrolled     
14
Capacity     
15
Co-Located: CLTR 209D-01 (P), CLTR 409D-01, ENGL 311-01, FMST 210-01, JPNS 209-1
Instructors: Lin Meng Walsh
Delivery Mode: In-Person
Description: This course introduces students to the rich body of disaster literature and cinema in Japan. We will explore how Japanese artists creatively reflected on themes of loss, grief, trauma, survival, and healing; we will critically analyze how disaster writings and films probe the issues of socio-political infrastructure as well as human pain and strength. Described as events that cause “the breach of collective expectations in institutions and practices that make everyday life work” (Curato and Corpus Ong 2015), the “disasters” we encounter in this class include both natural and human-generated calamities such as fire, earthquake, war, atomic bombing, and epidemic. Also covered in this class are writings on “imagined disasters” as found in science fiction and dystopian fantasy (for example, the 1973 novel Japan Sinks by Komatsu Sakyō and its parody “The World Sinks Except Japan” by Tsutsui Yasutaka).

All readings will be in English; knowledge of Japanese language is welcome but not required

Offered: Fall Spring Summer

Course Section Listing Course Course Title Term Credits Status
COURSE_SECTION-3-185537 FMST 210-01 After the Quake: Introduction to Disaster Literature and Cinema in Japan Fall 2024 4.0 Open
Schedule:
Day Begin End Location Start Date End Date
TR 615 PM 730 PM 08/26/2024 12/18/2024
Enrollment: Enrolled     
10
Capacity     
15
Co-Located: CLTR 209D-01 (P), CLTR 409D-01, ENGL 311-01, FMST 210-01, JPNS 209-1
Instructors: Lin Meng Walsh
Delivery Mode: In-Person
Description: This course introduces students to the rich body of disaster literature and cinema in Japan. We will explore how Japanese artists creatively reflected on themes of loss, grief, trauma, survival, and healing; we will critically analyze how disaster writings and films probe the issues of socio-political infrastructure as well as human pain and strength. Described as events that cause “the breach of collective expectations in institutions and practices that make everyday life work” (Curato and Corpus Ong 2015), the “disasters” we encounter in this class include both natural and human-generated calamities such as fire, earthquake, war, atomic bombing, and epidemic. Also covered in this class are writings on “imagined disasters” as found in science fiction and dystopian fantasy (for example, the 1973 novel Japan Sinks by Komatsu Sakyō and its parody “The World Sinks Except Japan” by Tsutsui Yasutaka).

All readings will be in English; knowledge of Japanese language is welcome but not required

Offered: Fall Spring Summer