京都大学 京都大学

Japanese History II-E2

Numbering Code U-LAS01 10004 LE38 Year/Term 2022 ・ Second semester
Number of Credits 2 Course Type Lecture
Target Year All students Target Student For all majors
Language English Day/Period Wed.1
Instructor name Niels van Steenpaal (Graduate School of Education Associate Professor)
Outline and Purpose of the Course This course will offer an introduction to early modern and modern Japanese history (1600~1911) from a global perspective. That is, we will approach the Japanese archipelago not as an isolated territory that seamlessly transformed into the nation state as we now know it, but as a geographical hub that has been shaped by various “foreign” encounters through the centuries. We will look at how trade, war, diplomacy and ideas fostered international connections that have played crucial roles in deciding the trajectory of Japan’s development.
Course Goals Upon the successful completion of this course, students will:
(1) have a general understanding of the major periods and events of early modern and modern Japanese history.
(2) gain a sensibility for the way in which the history of nation states is intimately bound up with, and cannot be told separately from global events.
Schedule and Contents The weekly topic schedule is as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Tokugawa Order
3. Maritime Prohibition
4. The Dutch
5. The Chinese
6. Ryukyu & Ezo
7. The Rise of the West
8. Opium Wars
9. Opening Japan
10. Meiji Restoration
11. Sino-Japanese War
12. Russo-Japanese War I
13. Russo-Japanese War II
14. Q&A
15. (final exam)
16. Feedback
Evaluation Methods and Policy Grading will be based on a final exam only.
100% Final Exam
Course Requirements As a survey introduction class, this course will require no reading preparations, but basic competence in English is required to fruitfully engage in class and the exam. Furthermore, although not a strict requirement, it is recommended that the student will either precede or follow up this course with the spring semester Japanese History I.
Study outside of Class (preparation and review) Reviewing class notes and possibly clarifying unclear items through independent study.
Textbooks Textbooks/References Although this class does not feature any required readings, it does recommend you familiarize yourself with the general outline of the period under discussion each class.
PAGE TOP