This course examines the use of the Japanese language in different media in contemporary Japan. The course starts by discussing how media discourse is different from everyday interaction, and how differently language is used in different types of media. It then focuses on the characteristics of Japanese found in the media. Specific words, sentence structures, and styles of language use both in written and spoken data are analyzed. Such data include Japanese used in news, advertisements, public signs, music lyrics, and blogs. Students also compare the language with examples of similar contexts in English. Through these analyses, the course fosters 1) ability to explore and express ideas about the Japanese language and media discourse, 2) comprehension of the ways interlocutors interact with their audiences through various Japanese media, and 3) cultural insights that manifest in media discourse in Japanese. During the course, students are expected to survey research on each topic and later conduct original research.
