University of California, Tokyo Study Center, Academic Orientation

Exercise in filling out the Course Information Sheet

Course Title: Japanese Animation

Example sentences provided by 2009 ICU/Tsukuba EAP students, August 5, 2009.

1. This course (examines, describes, deals with):

• examines Japanese animation and how it influences Japanese society.
• examines how animation plays a fundamental role in modern Japanese society, culture and everyday life.
• examines the various techniques used by animation directors such as Miyazaki Hayao.
• examines complexity of animation in Japanese animation.
• examines the fundamental elements and themes concerning the inner workings of Japanese animation and its contribution to Japanese culture.

2. The course (traces the development/history of, shows the evolution of):

• traces the history, evolution, and development of animation in Japan after WWII.
• traces the development of Japanese animation by examining its concurrence with Japan’s critical historical events.
• traces the development of Japanese animation from Osamu Tezuka’s Astroboy tithe present.
• traces the development of Japanese animation from its early beginnings to its modern medium as a world-wide cultural phenomenon
• traces the history of Japanese animation throughout its history and offers a comparative view between different countries compared with Japan.

3. Students (memorize, derive, design):

• first analyze a wide array of Japanese animation. Given this foundation, they proceed to create their own animation.
• analyze works from various Japanese animations, design short films, participate in in-class discussions, and design their own storyboard based on current Japanese social trends.
• participate in discussions requiring critical analysis of themes presented in class.
• discuss and analyze various aspects of character development, plot concepts, and animation techniques.

4. Emphasis is placed on:

• participation, conceptual analysis, and elaborating principles and morals underlying the surface of the works.
• how the above reflects developments in Japanese society.
• understanding its influence on modern society and how it affects other countries’ view of Japan
• the reflection of social trends in Japanese animation.

5. Students (compare & contrast, show the relationship between, derive the relationship between):

• compare & contrast imagination and reality.
• compare & contrast the influence of Japanese animation in Japan and other countries.
• derive the relationship between society and animation.
• show the relationship between Japanese society/economy and cultural influences on Japanese animation.

6. (Additionally, furthermore, finally, lastly,) students (examine, describe, discuss):

• Additionally, students discuss the process of development in the world of Japanese animation
• Additionally, students will have the opportunity to view several Japanese animation films and discuss with Japanese animation students about the differences seen. Also, there is the chance to visit Japanese animation studios and gain hands-on experience.
• Additionally, students examine how having seen anime has affected their view of Japan.
• Additionally, students examine Japanese animation via daily screenings of anime series/movies to enhance their knowledge of various styles.