ASB08001 Urban Culture

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School School of Integrated Arts and Sciences Department of Integrated Arts and Sciences

Lecture Code ASB08001 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 都市文化論

Subject Name
（Katakana）トシブンカロン

Subject Name in
English Urban Culture

Instructor YOSHIMOTO KAZUHIRO

Instructor
(Katakana) ヨシモト　カズヒロ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 2nd-Year,  Second Semester,  Second Semester

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (2nd) Thur7-8：IAS K205

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Face-to-face, Lecture, discussion and presentation.
Reading of related texts.

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 2 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 14 : Cultural Studies

Eligible Students

Keywords Urban Culture, Cultural Studies, 19th Century London, Adventure, Gothic, Crime, Science Fiction, British Imperialism and Colonialism, Photography and Fine Art, Exhibition, Class, Surveillance, Destruction of the City

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) High-intermediate
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Integrated Arts and Sciences
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・Knowledge and understanding of the importance and characteristics of each discipline and basic theoretical framework.
（Abilities and Skills）
・The ability and skills to specify necessary theories and methods for consideration of issues.
（Comprehensive Abilities）
・The ability to conduct research proactively by combining knowledge,  understanding, and skills for the tasks, based on flexible creativity and imagination.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline Theme:
This course explores themes such as urban culture, imperialism, colonial issues, and the interplay between media and culture by examining literary works and cultural phenomena that depict the relationship between the center and periphery of 19th-century London and the British Empire. Students will read excerpts from original texts to deepen their understanding.
Objectives:
• [Knowledge & Skills]: Explain the relationship between British literature and history, analyze literary works, and describe key authors and texts.
• [Thinking, Judgment, & Expression]: Discuss the issues within literary works using critical theory.
• [Initiative & Collaboration]: Develop the ability to interpret classical works through discussion, synthesize opinions, and apply them to contemporary issues.
Course Description:
This course provides foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for studying British literature, society, and history. It is also a valuable course for those pursuing English literature research or aspiring to become English language educators.
1. Historical Overview:
Examine the formation of the United Kingdom as a multiethnic state and the history of the British Empire, exploring concepts such as center and periphery, urban and rural, self and other. Recognize the significant influence of British history on the modern world.
2. Literature and History:
Analyze literary works depicting Britain and London as the center and the colonies as the periphery. Investigate the relationship between literature and history, addressing critical cultural studies concepts such as postcolonialism, cultural hybridity, gender issues, and intercultural communication.
3. Cultural Studies Fundamentals:
Learn the basics of Cultural Studies to develop academic discussion skills for a graduation thesis. Set goals to find a research topic and engage in scholarly discourse.
Course Content:
The course will involve discussions on the representations of metropolitan London in 19th-century English literature and visual culture. Topics include:
• The meaning of the metropolis as a space.
• The interaction between the center and periphery during the British Empire's imperial expansion.
Through this process, students will gain knowledge of significant 19th-century British literary works and key cultural studies concepts. The ultimate goal is to explore how each individual can interpret the concept of "the city" as a contemporary issue.

Class Schedule lesson1 Course introduction and urban culture in 19th-century London
lesson2 Origins of Adventure Novels: Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and its reinterpretations—London as the center and the wilderness as the periphery
lesson3 The End of Adventure Novels: J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and the refusal to grow up—Adventure as play
lesson4 The End of Narratives: Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass—Photography and identity
lesson5 Creation of Monsters: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein—Science and God (Film viewing, Part 1)
lesson6 Lineage of Monsters (1): (Film viewing, Part 2)
Modern versions of Frankenstein’s creature: Blade Runner (film)
lesson7 Class Consciousness and the City: Charles Dickens' Great Expectations—The Empire and the colonies, center and periphery, the image of a gentleman
lesson8 Emergence of Gothic Novels: Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—Urban crime, duality, and class
lesson9 The Popularity of Detective Novels: Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of the Four—Detectives, the city, crime, and colonial exploitation
lesson10 Gothic Novels (2): Bram Stoker’s Dracula—Fear of London’s invasion and the periphery’s retaliation
lesson11 London as a Crime City: ‘The Jack the Ripper’ case, media, police power, and the ‘femme fatale’
lesson12 Introduction of Science Fiction: H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine—The future of class society
lesson13 Summary and selection of research topics by students
lesson14 Presentations by the Students (1)
lesson15 Presentations by the Students (2)

Text/Reference
Books,etc. English texts, translations, and research papers required for the course will be provided as handouts by the instructor. Students looking to improve their English skills are encouraged to thoroughly read the original literary works covered in class. For the final report, students will select one work, establish a theme, analyze it, present their findings, and write the final essay, ideally engaging with the original text as much as possible.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, Other (see [More Details]), moodle

(More Details) YouTube

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning), Project Learning, Post-class Report

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review lessons 1-13:Sufficient preparations, including close reading of the text, are required.
lessons 14-15:Prepare for the presentation each student is supposed to make.

Requirements Motivation and interest in reading and understanding English literary text is required. Japanese translations can be used as reference.

Grading Method • Attendance and Participation: 20%
• Quizzes and Assignments: 30%
• Research Presentation and Final Essay: 50%

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2025Year	School/Graduate School	School of Integrated Arts and Sciences Department of Integrated Arts and Sciences
Lecture Code	ASB08001	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	都市文化論
Subject Name （Katakana）	トシブンカロン
Subject Name in English	Urban Culture
Instructor	YOSHIMOTO KAZUHIRO
Instructor (Katakana)	ヨシモト　カズヒロ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	2nd-Year, Second Semester, Second Semester
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(2nd) Thur7-8：IAS K205
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Face-to-face, Lecture, discussion and presentation. Reading of related texts.
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	2	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	14 : Cultural Studies
Eligible Students
Keywords	Urban Culture, Cultural Studies, 19th Century London, Adventure, Gothic, Crime, Science Fiction, British Imperialism and Colonialism, Photography and Fine Art, Exhibition, Class, Surveillance, Destruction of the City
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	High-intermediate
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Integrated Arts and Sciences （Knowledge and Understanding）・Knowledge and understanding of the importance and characteristics of each discipline and basic theoretical framework. （Abilities and Skills）・The ability and skills to specify necessary theories and methods for consideration of issues. （Comprehensive Abilities）・The ability to conduct research proactively by combining knowledge, understanding, and skills for the tasks, based on flexible creativity and imagination.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	Theme: This course explores themes such as urban culture, imperialism, colonial issues, and the interplay between media and culture by examining literary works and cultural phenomena that depict the relationship between the center and periphery of 19th-century London and the British Empire. Students will read excerpts from original texts to deepen their understanding. Objectives: • [Knowledge & Skills]: Explain the relationship between British literature and history, analyze literary works, and describe key authors and texts. • [Thinking, Judgment, & Expression]: Discuss the issues within literary works using critical theory. • [Initiative & Collaboration]: Develop the ability to interpret classical works through discussion, synthesize opinions, and apply them to contemporary issues. Course Description: This course provides foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for studying British literature, society, and history. It is also a valuable course for those pursuing English literature research or aspiring to become English language educators. 1. Historical Overview: Examine the formation of the United Kingdom as a multiethnic state and the history of the British Empire, exploring concepts such as center and periphery, urban and rural, self and other. Recognize the significant influence of British history on the modern world. 2. Literature and History: Analyze literary works depicting Britain and London as the center and the colonies as the periphery. Investigate the relationship between literature and history, addressing critical cultural studies concepts such as postcolonialism, cultural hybridity, gender issues, and intercultural communication. 3. Cultural Studies Fundamentals: Learn the basics of Cultural Studies to develop academic discussion skills for a graduation thesis. Set goals to find a research topic and engage in scholarly discourse. Course Content: The course will involve discussions on the representations of metropolitan London in 19th-century English literature and visual culture. Topics include: • The meaning of the metropolis as a space. • The interaction between the center and periphery during the British Empire's imperial expansion. Through this process, students will gain knowledge of significant 19th-century British literary works and key cultural studies concepts. The ultimate goal is to explore how each individual can interpret the concept of "the city" as a contemporary issue.
Class Schedule	lesson1 Course introduction and urban culture in 19th-century London lesson2 Origins of Adventure Novels: Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and its reinterpretations—London as the center and the wilderness as the periphery lesson3 The End of Adventure Novels: J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and the refusal to grow up—Adventure as play lesson4 The End of Narratives: Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass—Photography and identity lesson5 Creation of Monsters: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein—Science and God (Film viewing, Part 1) lesson6 Lineage of Monsters (1): (Film viewing, Part 2) Modern versions of Frankenstein’s creature: Blade Runner (film) lesson7 Class Consciousness and the City: Charles Dickens' Great Expectations—The Empire and the colonies, center and periphery, the image of a gentleman lesson8 Emergence of Gothic Novels: Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—Urban crime, duality, and class lesson9 The Popularity of Detective Novels: Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of the Four—Detectives, the city, crime, and colonial exploitation lesson10 Gothic Novels (2): Bram Stoker’s Dracula—Fear of London’s invasion and the periphery’s retaliation lesson11 London as a Crime City: ‘The Jack the Ripper’ case, media, police power, and the ‘femme fatale’ lesson12 Introduction of Science Fiction: H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine—The future of class society lesson13 Summary and selection of research topics by students lesson14 Presentations by the Students (1) lesson15 Presentations by the Students (2)
Text/Reference Books,etc.	English texts, translations, and research papers required for the course will be provided as handouts by the instructor. Students looking to improve their English skills are encouraged to thoroughly read the original literary works covered in class. For the final report, students will select one work, establish a theme, analyze it, present their findings, and write the final essay, ideally engaging with the original text as much as possible.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, Other (see [More Details]), moodle
(More Details)	YouTube
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, PBL (Problem-based Learning)/ TBL (Team-based Learning), Project Learning, Post-class Report
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	lessons 1-13:Sufficient preparations, including close reading of the text, are required. lessons 14-15:Prepare for the presentation each student is supposed to make.
Requirements	Motivation and interest in reading and understanding English literary text is required. Japanese translations can be used as reference.
Grading Method	• Attendance and Participation: 20% • Quizzes and Assignments: 30% • Research Presentation and Final Essay: 50%
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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