Infusing Asian Culture in Media Courses - East

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Infusing Asian Culture in
Media Courses
Victor Evans
Thiel College
August 4, 2011
Asian Topics Infused in Courses
• In the communication department at Thiel,
we don’t have a specific course in Asian
Film, Media or Journalism.
• I will infuse the information I learned at this
institute in the following courses as part of
the regular course topics and objectives:
– Introduction to Journalism (Fall ‘11)
– Introduction to Film Studies (Spring ‘12)
– Film Production and Editing (Fall ‘11)
– Dissecting Disney (Spring ‘12)
China’s Media Censorship
US Media Bias
Fox News Media Bias
Introduction to Journalism
• Media Bias and Censorship
– What is media bias?
– How do you recognize media bias?
– Do media organizations utilize media bias?
– How and why do they engage in media bias?
– What are the effects of media bias?
– Which countries are known for their media
bias and or censorhship?
– The US proclaims an “open” media, but how
does it engage in bias and/or censorship?
Discussion of Media Bias
• How does media bias affect the society?
• What does it mean for the people to be
misinformed or not informed of all of
events that might affect them?
• How does media bias affect the people’s
view of the government?
• Are there some things that the media
should not disclose? Why or why not?
Film Production and Editing
• Cinematography
– Subjective and objective / direct and indirect
points of view
– Camera angles
– Camera movements (pans and tilts)
– Shot techniques (CUs, establishing, long,
etc.)
– How do these cinematic techniques influence
the narrative of films?
The World
Film Discussion
• How did the cinematography affect the
narrative structure of the film?
• How does the cinematography affect the
pacing?
• What emotions did the cinematography
evoke in you as a viewer?
• Did you find these techniques effective?
Why or why not?
Introduction to Film Studies
• Narrative Film Structure
– Why is narrative important in film?
– What are the different ways stories can be
told in film?
– How does these techniques affect the
audience?
– How does the narrative contribute to the film’s
theme?
– How important is narrative and theme when
analyzing a film’s message?
Core Values of Confucius
Ren:
Yi:
Benevolence, Charity & Humanity
Honesty and Uprightness
Zhong:
Xin:
Conscientiousness, Loyalty &
Care for Others
Faithfulness & Integrity
Li:
Correct Behavior, Good Manners
Propriety & Politeness
Buddhism Core Beliefs
Buddhist Symbol: The Dharma Wheel
represents the Noble Eightfold Path, which
are the core beliefs of Buddhism.
Where and When Buddhism Began
• Buddhism began in India
approximately 2,500
years ago. Buddhism’s
roots are in Hinduism,
because the person who
established Buddhism
was a Hindu prince
before he became “the
Buddha” (or “Enlightened
One”) and broke off from
Hinduism to form a new
religion.
Founder of Buddhism: The 1st
Leader of Buddhism
• The Hindu prince’s name was
Siddhartha Gautama.
According to Buddhist
tradition, Siddhartha Gautama
received a revelation from God
when he was 35 years old, and
then he began teaching the
religious ideas that developed
into what is now called
“Buddhism”. Siddhartha lived
approx. 2,500 years ago (born
563 B.C.E.).
Founder of Buddhism, cont’d
• Siddhartha Gautama was born
into the royal family of a small
kingdom in the Himalayan
foothills. Giving up a life of
luxury in his palace to seek the
true purpose of life, Siddhartha
first tried the path of severe
asceticism, only to abandon it
after six years as a futile
exercise. He then sat down in
meditation beneath a banyan
tree until he achieved
enlightenment. That is when
he is said to have received his
revelation from God - and
become “the Buddha”.
Central Beliefs
• Four Noble Truths:
– Sorrow is universal. Everyone
experiences sadness and suffering.
– Sorrow and suffering are caused by
greedy desire, or cravings, for things.
– The cure for sorrow is to eliminate greedy
desire and seek enlightenment.
– The way to seek enlightenment is to follow
the Noble Eightfold Path.
Central Beliefs (continued)
•
Noble Eightfold Path:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
Complete/appropriate
view
intention
speech
action
livelihood
effort
mindfulness
concentration
– The Noble Eightfold Path is also called “The Middle Path” (or “The Middle
Way”), meaning that a person who follows these spiritual guidelines does
not have to “go overboard”. Rather than being an ascetic (one who gives
up every comfort of life) or by being overindulgent (one who enjoys too
many of life’s comforts), instead a person can choose to live a comfortable,
but moderate life style.
– Nirvana: Nirvana is the “enlightenment” or “perfect peace” that an
individual reaches after many lifetimes of trying to follow the Noble
Eightfold Path, so that they never have to reincarnate again. It’s like the
idea of “heaven”.)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and
Spring Again
Film Discussion
• So what was the theme of this film?
• How was the theme revealed in the
narrative?
• Do you think the message of the film was
communicated clearly to the audience?
Why or why not?
• How does Buddhism and Confucian
values play an important role in the film’s
theme?
Dissecting Disney
• This class analyzes Disney films,
specifically looking not only the films’
historical accuracy, but also how racial,
ethnic and gender groups are represented
within the films.
• Asian characters are a section in this
course. To date, Disney has 13 Asian
characters in their animated films, with the
most popular being Mulan and Mulan II.
Disney Discussion
• How does Disney’s Mulan film narrative
compare with the original legend?
• Do the characters in the film demonstrate
Confucian or Buddhist values/core beliefs?
If so how?
• Do the characters in the film embody any
Asian stereotypes? If so, what are they?
• How does the main character and the
narrative reflect gender roles during this
time period?
Chinese Influence
on American Films
• In both Introduction to Film Studies and
Film Production and Editing, I will discuss
how Chinese Filmmakers have influenced
American Filmmakers, like Quentin
Taratino’s Kill Bill series.
• Also in both classes I would like to do a
comparison of American remakes of
Chinese and Korean films: The Departed,
My Sassy Girl, Possession, The Lake
House, The Eye, Uninvited, Tortilla Soup...
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