Fall 2013 - 565:333 Anime: Introduction to Japanese Animation - Course Syllabus

Aug 26, 2026

Fall 2013 course syllabus for “565:333 Anime: Introduction to Japanese Animation,” examining anime as a distinctly Japanese media form from the postwar period through maturity in the 1980s and beyond. Instruction is in English with no prerequisites and no additional research required for major assignments. Weekly discussion prompts follow Wednesday screenings, supported by analytical short papers and an end-of-semester final paper centered on an organized argument about a chosen theme.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Course Description

Requirements

Weekly Questions, Attendance, and Performance

Four Short Papers

Test

Final Paper

Course Logistics

Note on Academic Integrity

Note on Absences

Required Texts

Schedule (Subject to Change)

September 4 - Introduction

September 9 - Preliminary Discussion: What is anime?

September 11 - Screening: shônen TV shows

September 16 - Discussion of shônen TV shows

September 18 - Screening: shôjo TV shows

September 23 - Discussion of shôjo TV shows

September 25 - Screening: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

September 30 - Discussion of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Fall 2013 565:333 Anime: Introduction to Japanese Animation M 5: 3:55pm-5:15pm (RAB-204) W 2, 3: 10:55am-1:55pm (RAB-206) Instructor: Satoru Saito Office: Scott Hall, Room 338 Office Hours: M 11:30am-1:30pm E-mail: [ssaito@rci.rutgers.edu](ssaito@rci.rutgers.edu) Course Description This course examines anime or Japanese animation as a distinctly Japanese media form that began its development in the immediate postwar period and reached maturity in the 1980s. Although some precedents will be discussed, the course’s primary emphasis is the examination of the major examples of Japanese animation from 1980s onward. To do so, we will approach this media form through two broad frameworks. First, we will consider anime from the position of media studies, considering its unique formal characteristics. Second, we will consider anime within the historical and cultural context of postwar and contemporary Japan by tracing its specific themes and characteristics, both on the level of content and consumption. The course will be taught in English, and there are no prerequisites for this course. To allow for screenings of films, one of two class meetings (Wednesdays) will be a doubleperiod, which will combine screenings with introductory lectures. The other meeting (Mondays), by which students should have completed all the reading assignments ofthe week, will provide post-screening lectures and class discussions. Requirements Weekly questions, class attendance and performance 10% Four short papers (3 pages each) 40% Test 15% Final paper (8-10 pages double-spaced) 35% Weekly questions, class attendance and performance Students are expected to attend all classes and participate in class discussions. To facilitate class discussions, students are expected to raise a discussion question/comment on their own after the Wednesday screenings each week. Your question/comment should address an issue that you believe to be a crucial one in your interpretation of the work(s) . Four short papers (3 pages each [1 page scene description; 2 pages scene analysis]) Students are expected produce four short papers in the course of the semester based on the relevant materials and themes ofa given unit. These papers should be analytical in nature (no additional research required) and should be based on specific examples. These papers should display not only the students’ understanding of course material presented and discussed in class but also their engagement with the material in their own terms and through their own ideas. Test Test given toward the end of the semester will check that you have watched all the works carefully and that you have been attentive during class. As such, it will consist, among other components, of passage/character identifications and short answers regarding historical events and concepts discussed in class. Final paper (8-10 pages double-spaced) The final paper is the culmination of the course. The final paper should present an organized argument on a chosen theme. Students are welcome to focus on one anime or compare multiple anime. Just as the case with the three short papers, the final paper should not require additional research beyond lectures, discussions, and reading materials for the class. Students are encouraged to discuss extensively with the instructor to determine their final paper topic. Note on Academic Integrity You are expected to uphold the highest level of academic integrity in this class. For more information, please see [http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/](http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/. I will)[. I will](http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/. I will) also be glad to discuss with you any concerns or questions you have on this issue. Note on absences Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss class, please use the University absence reporting website [https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/](https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate)[ to in

FAQs

What is the course’s main focus and how is anime studied?

The course treats anime as a distinct Japanese media form and emphasizes major examples from the 1980s onward. It uses two frameworks: media studies of anime’s formal characteristics, and historical-cultural analysis of postwar and contemporary Japan through themes and patterns of consumption.

Are there prerequisites for enrolling in this course?

No prerequisites are required, and the course is taught in English.

How do students participate each week and what do the weekly discussion questions cover?

Students are expected to attend all classes and raise a discussion question/comment after the Wednesday screenings. The prompt should address an issue students consider crucial to interpreting the work(s).

What assessment components are required and how is the final paper approached?

Assessment includes weekly questions, attendance, and performance (10%), four short papers (40%), a test near the end of the semester (15%), and a final paper (35%). The final paper presents an organized argument on a chosen theme and can focus on one anime or compare multiple, without requiring additional research beyond course lectures, discussions, and readings.

Aug 26, 2026

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