INTRODUCTION:This ia an introductory
course on Japanese History from the Tokugawa Period to the present.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:The course provides the general knowledge of Japanese
History observing the political, social, economic and cutural developments over time. The corse
concentrates on the specific periods such as the Tokugawa (Edo), Meiji Restoration, Meiji,
Taisho, Showa periods, and the rise of the Japanese militarism, Post War Showa period,
Economic growth and so on.
REQUIRED READINGS:
COURSE OBJECTIVES:at the end of the semester, you should be able to recognize the
major periods, figures and issues of Japanese History.
The gradings depend on your attendance, writing assignment, mid-term exam, and final exam.
You are required to come to class. Writing assignment and exams are essays.
WRITING ASSIGNMENT Watch movies that depicts Japan such as the Last Samurai,
Sands of Iwo Jima, the Bridge on the River Kwai, the Thin Red Line, Black Rain, Snow Falling on
the Ceders, Mr. Baseball and so on. Write 3 to 5 page review of the movie. Include your opinion
on the Hollywood view of the Japanese Society v. the actual Japanese society.
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS
Brief Japanese History since the beginning to the Tokugawa Period and the Tokugawa Period..
WEEK 2: The end of the Tokugawa Period and the Meiji Restoration.
WEEK 3: The Establishment of the Modern Japan: Meiji Constitution and Emperor System
WEEK 4: Meiji-Taisho and the Rise in the Japanese Militarism.
WEEK 5: The First Great War and Japan
WEEK 6: The Great Depression and the Impact on Japan
WEEK 7: The Second Great War and Japan as a part of the Axis
Mid-Term Week
WEEK 8: The War Termination and Surrender
WEEK 9: Post War Japan and Reconstruction
WEEK 10: The US Interventionism in the Korean war and the Japanese Involvement
WEEK 11: The US Indochina War and the Japanese Involvement
WEEK 12: Rise of Japan as a World Economic Power
WEEK 13: Japan and Ronald Reagan
WEEK 14: Japan in Current Years
WEEK 15: Final Exam Week