معرفی
Susan Napier is a Professor of International Literary and Cultural Studies at Tufts University, holding the Goldthwaite Chair of Rhetoric. She specializes in modern Japanese literature, anime studies, and cultural theory. Her research explores Japanese animation (Studio Ghibli), manga, popular culture, gender representations, and trauma narratives. Napier earned her PhD from Harvard University (1984) after earlier degrees from the same institution (AB 1977, AM 1980).
Education:
- PhD, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, 1984
- AM, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, 1980
- AB, East Asian Studies, Harvard University, 1977
Research Interests:
Napier’s work bridges literary studies and visual culture, focusing on how Japanese animation and literature reflect societal themes like identity, technology, and trauma. She critiques global reception of anime and its role in cross-cultural dialogue. Her analysis of authors like Mishima Yukio and Oe Kenzaburo highlights existential and cultural tensions.
Publications:
Her 2021 article Playing in the Shadows examines postwar Japanese literature’s engagement with race, while 2018’s Miyazakiworld offers a seminal study of Studio Ghibli’s cultural significance. Recent talks include discussions on Kyoto Animation’s legacy and Miyazaki’s global impact.
Professional Engagement:
Napier has spoken at international conferences, including the Tokyo University Symposium on Mishima and events at Harvard and the Japan Society. She contributes to media commentary on Japanese culture (e.g., CNN’s coverage of Kyoto Animation).
Teaching:
She teaches courses like Disney vs. Ghibli, Cinema of Apocalypse, and The Eerie: An Exploration, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to cultural analysis.
