EALC 463 Topics in East Asian Film and Media

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COURSE TITLE

EALC 463 Topics in East Asian Film and Media

East Asian Gangster Films and Culture

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The gangster film is the one most readily identified as an American genre. Despite that, it can be seen from a transnational perspective. This course will explore the genre in East Asian contexts. We will take into consideration the gangster films as well as gangster cultures including kkgangpae from Korea, jianghu and hungmen from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, yakuza from Japan. We will examine the literature, cycles, myths, and trends of the genre throughout its history of and socio-political contexts as well as the style and conventions of the genre. At the core of the gangster film and its culture, it is about the representation of violence as well as the violence of representation. The course takes issues with the dominant values of class, gender, and race and will discuss how the gangster film functions as a social criticism, a site to experiment with the aesthetic of violence, and a medium to get recognition in world cinemas. Films and filmmakers to be studied include: Young and Dangerous (1996), Election (2005), Andrew Lau, Johnnie To, and Takeshi Kitano.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND ACADEMIC RATIONALE

· ENHANCING DIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA COURSES – This course aims to diversify the East Asian Languages and Cultures curriculum by delving into the dark sides of society. It will examine the realities and cinematic representations of issues such as drug, violence, prostitution, illegal human trafficking. The objective is to provide students with an understanding of those topics without glorifying gangster culture in East Asia, emphasizing its roots in colonialism and capitalism.

· INVITING STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUND – This course is designed to attract students from different majors and backgrounds. East Asia Studies students can gain insights into societal structures through cinematic arts, while Cinematic Arts students can rethink the canon of American gangster films. Topics like the boundary between law and outlaw will attract law students or government policy. This course offers a broader perspective to USC students, exploring how Hollywood’s cultural representations of the gangster converge, diverge, evolve, adapt, and persist alongside East Asian films throughout film histories. The course helps students understand broadly how the gangster film travels and comes back to the United States. For example, Andrew Lau’s Infernal Affairs (2002) was adapted by Martin Scorsese as The Departed (2006).

· THINKING WITHIN A GLOBAL FRAMEWORK – This course is essential for providing students with a global perspective to explore different meanings of the gangster film and culture. The gangster genre is understood as a world phenomenon that addresses social and even political problems. For example, Jonnie To’s Election (2005) criticizes the Hong Kong election with an allegory of the secret society’s election, and Michael Mak’s The Island of Greed (1997) is a direct attack on the collaboration between politicians and the secret society in Taiwan. Students will gain an understanding of the gangster film beyond national borders, exploring the relationship between East Asian cinema, aesthetics, popular genre, and world cinema.

COURSE REQUIREMENT AND GRADING

· Attendance and Participation (15%) 

Students with more than FOUR absences WITHOUT AN EXCUSE will lose the entire attendance grade (15%). Students who accumulate more than FOUR unexcused absences (from lectures and/ or discussion sections combined) will receive zero credit for Attendance and Participation grade (15%). Acceptable excuses are strictly limited to medical or family emergencies. Supporting documentation (e.g., medical certificates, doctor’s note, or family letter) is required for an absence to be considered excused.

Participation is a crucial component of the course. Students are expected to engage critically and creatively with course materials and to contribute actively by asking questions, offering comments, and participating in discussions and activities. If you are unable to attend a lecture or discussion section, you must notify the instructor or your TA at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible. If you arrive late to a lecture, please sit in the front rows to minimize disruption. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to a discussion section without prior notice, it will be recorded as an unexcused absence. If you anticipate being late, you must inform your TA in advance. Similarly, leaving class more than 15 minutes before the scheduled end time without prior notice will be considered an unexcused absence.

*EXTRA CREDIT: Throughout the semester, there will be in-class activities during lectures that offer opportunities to earn additional participation points.

· Student-led Discussion (15%)

Students will SIGN UP for a student-led discussion from week 3 on. The student-led discussion can begin by summarizing the main points of the film and readings, and sharing insights, close reading, and interpretation. The student-led discussion will take place during Thursday’s class. Students responsible for that week’s presentation should prepare a PowerPoint that includes your understanding of the topic and relevant film excerpts. Your presentation should be 15 minutes long. Following the presentation, you will host a discussion with your classmates.

· Two Film Reviews (10%)

For each film review, students will discuss one or two themes they find most compelling in the assigned film in relation to the required readings for that week. Reviews must include specific references to at least one film clip and at least one course reading. Each review should be at least 350 words. A writing workshop will be held prior to each review assignment.

Grading Criteria of Film Reviews: Structure and organization: 2%. Clarity and strength of analysis: 2%. Format and integration of readings (from course materials and/or relevant outside sources): 1%

Each writing assignment is worth 5%, for a total of 10% of the final course grade.

· Two-page Mid-term Proposal (10%) - DEADLINE: Mar 12

For the midterm proposal, students are required to identify and develop the topic they plan to explore in their final project. All proposals must be approved by the instructor. Students should select a topic from the list provided in the syllabus and expand it into a two-page proposal. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, gangster film culture in China, the concept of the outlaw in Japanese gangster films, transnational gangster connections in East Asia, and Asian American gangster representations.

In the proposal, students must clearly indicate whether the final project will take the form of a traditional academic paper or a video essay. The proposal should demonstrate engagement with existing scholarship by explaining how scholars have approached the chosen topic and by offering the student’s own reflections on these scholarly perspectives (worth 5% of the final grade). For example, scholars may focus on gender in a particular gangster film, while the student might extend this discussion by offering new insights or critiquing the assumptions and limitations of existing research.

In addition, the proposal must clearly articulate the student’s central argument or research question (worth 5% of the final grade). For instance, a proposal might argue that gangster films are not only about the underdog’s desire but also about the global circulation and localization of Hollywood gangster culture. I will provide feedback on each proposal to help students refine and expand their ideas into the final paper or video essay.

· In-class Final Examination (20%) – May 13 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

This exam in a close-book examination. It will consist of two parts: multiple-choice questions and short essay questions.

All students are required to install the Respondus LockDown Browser prior to the exam. Please note that the exam cannot be taken on a phone. You must bring a fully charged laptop to class in order to complete the exam. Failure to do so may result in being unable to complete the exam.

· Research Paper or Video Essay (30%)- Deadline: April 23

This takes the most part of the grade. It includes originality, the use of theories and academic sources, strong argument and creativity. Papers are 10-15 pages. Font style: Times New Roman; font size: 12 point, double spaced. Regular margin. Video essays must be around 10 - 15 minutes long, and have equal sophistication to a research paper. Late submission will not be allowed. The topics of your paper NEED TO BE APPROVED by me. Please submit your papers to Brightspace. Any scheduling issues should be brought up with the instructor as early as possible. Unexcused late paper assignments will NOT BE ACCPETED. 

Academic Paper (10 to 12 pages): The academic paper offers students the opportunity to delve deeper into the topics covered in the course. The paper can take many forms depending on individual preferences. Student may choose to maintain a focus on the detailed reading of selected texts covered in the course, emphasizing close reading of the narrative and rhetorical devices employed in the film texts. Alternatively, students may also choose to do a more historical study of certain other texts that were not covered extensively in the course or were only briefly examined. Topics may include: montage and gangster culture, reception of Korean gangster films in contemporary China, a real gangster in Hong Kong gangster films, Hong Kong gangsters and film industry, etc.

The grading criteria for the final project will be as follows:

1. Writing Style or Video Editing Style (10%):

For projects in text format, the grading will assess the quality of writing style, clarity of expression, organization of ideas, coherence, and overall presentation. The text should be well-written, demonstrating effective communication and adherence to appropriate academic conventions. For projects in video format, the grading will evaluate the video editing style, including visual aesthetics, transitions, use of multimedia elements, and overall production quality. The video should be engaging, visually appealing, and effectively convey the intended message.

2. Strength of Argument or Points (10%):

This criterion focuses on the strength and coherence of the argument presented or the points made regarding specific aspects of East Asian experiences or debates. The project should demonstrate critical thinking skills, depth of analysis, and the ability to construct a persuasive and well-supported argument. Students should effectively utilize evidence, examples, and relevant concepts to bolster their claims.

3. Integration of Scholarly Articles (10%):

This criterion assesses the integration of scholarly articles and texts into the project. Students should demonstrate a solid understanding of the course materials and relevant scholarly literature. The project should effectively incorporate and engage with the assigned readings, as well as additional academic sources when appropriate. Proper citation and referencing should be observed. To excel in this criterion, students should showcase their ability to go beyond simply summarizing the scholarly articles. Instead, they should demonstrate how they intervene and engage with these sources to develop their own unique voices.

NOTE ON GRADING POLICY

· Late Submission: No late submissions are allowed unless proof of MEDICAL REASONS or FAMILY EMERGENCY is provided. This no-late submission policy applies to READING RESPONSES, MID-TERM PROPOSAL and FINAL PAPER

· Request for late submission should be made before the deadline.

· If you are dissatisfied with your final grade and wish for us to regrade, please prepare a 500-word statement to explain your request. Upon receiving the statement, TAs and I will convene to consider the regrade. However, note that a regrade may potentially lower your current grade.

· Course Grading Scale -