This course explores the production, circulation, products and practices of Asian popular culture (television drama, film, popular music, animation, comics, game, fashion, celebrity culture, digital culture, etc.) in a transnational context; and how Asian popular culture as a diverse creative force influences people and societies within and outside of Asia. It offers an introduction to the development of Asian popular culture industries and their impacts to the regional and global markets. It introduces to students the characteristics of Asian popular cultures, and the social, cultural and political environments of major production sites. Major theoretical approaches to popular culture and Asian societies will be studied. Upon completion, students will be familiar with the various critical approaches used in the study of popular culture and industries, and the social, political and economic contexts of Asian popular culture.

Popular Culture and Creative Industries in Asia