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 ConfuciusRen:

Benevolence, Charity & Humanity

Xin:Faithfulness & Integrity

Zhong:Conscientiousness, Loyalty &

Care for Others

Li:Correct Behavior, Good Manners

Propriety & Politeness

Yi:Honesty and Uprightness

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 view– Complete/appropriate intention– Complete/appropriate speech– Complete/appropriate action– Complete/appropriate livelihood– Complete/appropriate effort– Complete/appropriate mindfulness– Complete/appropriate 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...