ASST 218(S) Modern Japan (Same as History 218 and Japanese 218)

HIST 218(S) Modern Japan (Same as Asian Studies 218 and Japanese 218)
A modernizing revolution, the construction and collapse of an empire, devastating defeat in a World War, occupation by a foreign power, and postwar economic take off and rough landing have marked Japan's modern experience. This course will examine the main themes of modern Japanese history with a focus on how various "ordinary people" have lived through the extraordinary changes of the past century and a half. Through the perspectives of ordinary people, from a young girl working in a cotton textile factory in the 1920s to a salaryman in the post-World War II period, issues of national identity, democracy, gender, family, work, race and ethnicity, and consumerism will be addressed. Reading materials will include autobiographies, oral histories, and anthropological studies.
Format: discussion/lecture. Evaluation will be based on class participation, response papers, two short papers (5 pages) and a self-scheduled final exam.
No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 30). Open to all.
Group B
Hour: SINIAWER