Spring Term 1999, History 292 Professor Jeffrey Hanes

Japan, Past and Present

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14:00-15:20 UH / 221 ALL Download Text-Only
CRN: 33044 Office Hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Japanese culture. Explores myth, tradition, modernity, and post modernity with one eye trained on the future. Examples from personal experience.

COURSE POLICIES

Two short essays (20% each)

a mid-term exam (20%)

a final exam (20%)

and section assignments and participation (20%)

REQUIRED TEXTS

Edwin O. Reischauer, The Japanese Today

Shotaro Ishinomori, Japan Inc.: An Introduction To Japanese Economics

Gail Bernstein, Haruko’s World

Banana Yoshimoto, Kitchen

Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Re-Inventing Japan: Time Space Nation

COURSE SCHEDULE

I.                    INTRODUCTION.

March 30. De-Orientalizing Japan.

April  1. Myth and History.
Reading:  Reischauer, 3-38 and 381-412.

II.                  THE MEDIEVAL WORLD.

April  6. Heijo and Heian: Emperors and Aristocrats.

April  8. Warrior Power.

Reading:  Reischauer, 39-51.

Morris-Suzuki, Re-Inventing Japan, begin.

III.                THE MODERN WORLD.

April 13. Centralized Feudalism: The Tokugawa Shoguns.

April 15. Film: “Osaka Elegy.” Essay on Morris-Suzuki.                                

Reading:  Reischauer, 52-77.

IV.               FROM COSMOPOLITANISM TO IMPERIALISM.

April 20. Meiji and Modernity.

April 22. Taisho Democracy.

Reading:  Reischauer, 78-94.

V.                 WAR, OCCUPATION, RECONSTRUCTION.

April 27. Showa Fascism.

April 29. The American Occupation.

Reading:  Reischauer, 95-120 and 347-369.

Begin reading Ishinomori, Japan Inc.

VI.               THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE.

May 4. Japan Incorporated.

May 6. MID-TERM EXAMINATION.

Reading:  Reischauer, 195-342 and 370-380.

VII.              POLITICS AND SOCIETY.

May 11. Power Politics in the Postwar Era.

May 13. Others and Otherness.

Reading:  Reischauer, 23-291.

Bernstein, Haruko’s World, begin.

VIII.           SOCIETY AND SOCIALIZATION.
May 18. Film: Family Game

May 20. Growing up in a Gendered World.

Reading:  Reischauer, 125-227.

Bernstein, Harukon’s World, finish.

IX.               POSTMODERN CULTURE.

May 25. Commodity Culture. Video: The Japanese Version

May 27. Virtual Realities. Video: Otaku no Video

Reading:  Yoshimoto, Kitchen, begin.

X.                 JAPAN AT THE MILLENIUM.

June 1. Apocalypse Now?

June 3. A Day in the Life.

Reading:  Yoshimoto, Kitchen, finish.

FINAL EXAMINATION: 8-10 AM, Thursday, June 10 in 221 Allen Hall