Japanese society is currently confronted with a massive array of social and cultural anomalies among its youth. In the culture which values and emphasizes conformity, the phenomenon is utterly unprecedented. Accordingly, in this course, we will first explore the defining features of these anomalies ? by examining how Japanese youth were portrayed in fictions and films in the 90?s. We will then scrutinize the extent to which these portrayals actually reflect real lives of young Japanese by analyzing newspaper articles and essays commenting on the social issues surrounding them. Finally, we will take a close look at the dramatic social changes, over the past three decades, to trace their long-term impacts ? as a significant factor contributing to the emergence of the new "culture," particularly with respect to the changing youth behaviors. Prerequisite: 82-372, or permission of the instructor.
