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2022　Studies of Culture and Representation B

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Kubo Yuka 
Class Format
Lecture    (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon1-2(H131)  Thr1-2(H131)  
Group
-
Course number
LAH.H215
Credits
2
Academic year
2022
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2022/4/20
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

The development of digital technology since the mid-1990s has given rise to a new behavior called "selfie". Its meaning is "to take a picture of oneself with a camera" and may include "to share it with others via the Internet". Nowadays, people often attend remote classes or remote meetings with self-images generated by "selfies", and it is becoming commonplace.
One of the characteristics of the "selfie" technology is that users have often used the technology in ways that were not intended by the engineers. As a result, the culture of "selfies" has developed in a variety of ways in different regions, attributes, and communities. In this lecture, we will follow the relationship between the technology and culture of "selfies" over the past 25 years, and understand the changes in the "self-image”.
The purpose of this lecture is to explore the future of the "self-image" by looking at the possibilities of virtual avatars and the fears of a surveillance society that the future development of the "selfie" will lead to.

Student learning outcomes

(1)Understand the structure of the popularization of taking, processing, and publishing photographs from the development of digital technology.
(2)Understand the structure of the impact of technological evolution on cultural change with the theme of “selfie”.
(3)Have your own ideas about how future technological developments will change our "self-image”.

Keywords

Selfie, Self-image, Face image processing, Face recognition, Visual communication

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Based on lectures. Students will occasionally submit comments and reports related to the content.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 introduction Understand the basic structure for grasping the technology and culture of the "selfie".
Class 2 The origin of the "selfie" (1): videophone and image sensing Understand the history of videophone technology and image sensing technology at the origin of the "selfie".
Class 3 The origin of the "selfie" (2): Film with lens and street magazines Understand the process of popularization of taking and publishing photographs.
Class 4 The origin of the "selfie" (3): Purikura and the purikura album Understand the birth of Purikura and the culture from it.
Class 5 "Selfies" in the 2000s (1): The birth of a cell phone with a camera Understand the birth of a cell phone with a camera and the culture from it.
Class 6 "Selfies" in the 2000s (2): Japan's uniquely developed cell phones Understanding the process of improving performance of cell phone cameras and increasing the speed of wireless communication.
Class 7 "Selfies" in the 2000s (3): Cell Phone Blogs and Big Eyes Understanding the culture that emerged from cell phone with a camera and cell phone blogs.
Class 8 "Selfies" in the 2010s (1): Selfie spread around the world Understand the worldwide “selfie” culture with the spread of smartphones and SNS.
Class 9 "Selfies" in the 2010s (2): China's "selfie" devices Understanding the development of China's "selfie" technology and the culture from it.
Class 10 "Selfies" in the 2010s (3): Instagram and Instagenic Understanding the culture that emerged from smartphone and Instagram.
Class 11 Current Status of "Selfie" Observing the current situation where "selfies" is becoming commonplace, such as remote meetings and remote classes.
Class 12 The future of the "selfie" (1): Surveillance society Looking to the future of the surveillance society caused by the "selfie.
Class 13 The Future of the "selfie" (2): Virtual Avatars Looking to the future of virtual avatars created with "selfies".
Class 14 The Future of the "selfie" (3): The Future of Self-image Consider the future of self-image as it changes with technology.

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

none. Lecture materials will be distributed.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Yuka Kubo(2019).The Birth of "MORI”. Ohta Publishing.

Assessment criteria and methods

Class participation (40%) and final report (60%)

Related courses

  • LAH.H113 ： Studies of Culture and Representation A
  • LAH.H314 ： Studies of Culture and Representation C
  • LAH.S430 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences34:Studies of Culture and Representation

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

none

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