1. Prof. Natalia Vesselova nvess040@uottawa.ca
LLM1100 INTRODUCTION
Prof. Natalia Vesselova

2. COURSE DESCRIPTION
An interaction between world cultures can take different forms and incorporate various kinds of complexities.
We will analyze one case of interaction of cultures: the relationships between the “Western” culture and that of Japan.
This interaction started relatively late and developed rapidly, providing rich demonstrable material.
Other cultural contexts will be frequently used to clarify theoretical concepts or to illustrate certain perspectives.

3. COURSE OBJECTIVE
The main objective is to explore how cultures of the world are transmitted and received beyond their context of origin across different languages, nations, and traditions.
The concrete material will be put within a theoretical framework that can be applied to the analysis of other world cultures, their interaction and mutual perception.

4. METHOD
Case studies of interdisciplinary analysis of pictorial, literary, and filmic material through:
Lectures
Discussions
Student presentations

5. EVALUATION Participation, in-class responses: 10%
Book/film review: 10%
Presentation: 10%
Midterm exam: 20 %
Research paper proposal: 5%
Research paper: 15%
Final exam: 30%

6. Encountering The Other
Case Study 1
Encountering The Other

7. Who is The Other?

8. The Other is anyone who is not YOU

9. Has different characteristics Belongs to another group
The Other
Has different characteristics
Belongs to another group

10. The Other according to Lacan
The other/the Other - a term coined by Jacques Lacan, a French psychoanalyst; “other” is the Imaginary Ego, a reflection of one’s Ego; “Other” = radical otherness, a figure outside one’s conscious identity. Uncontrollable.
The Symbolic Other – trans-individual structures forming inter-subjective interactions (Society, Nature,
History, State, Religion, etc.);
a Real Other – another subject.
Language originates in the Other.

11. Negative Othering The Other is often defined by a lack of something.
“Othering” (Edward Said) is connected with marginalization of the Other and is a part of power games and colonial domination.
Inequality and subordination within societies and between nations; imperialist order; nationalism.
“Othering” leads to a uni-polar worldview
(ex., “history is written by the victors”).
Questionable objectivity of knowledge.

12. Recent Perspectives
The term has both negative and positive connotations.
The postmodern idea of the Other is connected to multiculturalism.
Gender studies explore the concepts of self and the Other in terms of gender and sexuality.
Should be used with caution, with commonality
in mind (provokes ethical issues).

13. The Other + The Other
An encounter of different cultures involves such things as:
Contact
“Othering” one another and stereotyping
Conflict, power games
Mutual curiosity
Exploration
Description
Dialog