Japanese Intellectual History II-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS01 20014 LE38 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture |
| Target Year | All students | Target Student | For all majors |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Tue.2 |
| Instructor name | Niels van Steenpaal (Graduate School of Education Associate Professor) | ||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course | This course will introduce the student to the “intellectual history” of Japan, both as a body of knowledge, and as a particular historical method. That is, besides deepening our understanding of the philosophies, ideologies, and mentalities that helped shape Japan, we will also develop the skills necessary to meaningfully examine these ideas as academic problems. Rather than a chronological survey, the approach of this course is thematic. Each class will focus on the significance of one particular idea/phenomenon. They key terms for this semester will be memory and religion. | ||
| Course Goals |
Upon the successful completion of this course, students will: (1) be familiar with the presuppositions and narratives of historical theory. (2) have a general understanding of the ideas and ideologies of the Japanese early modern and modern period. (3) learn to use the historical method to question cultural assumptions. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
The tentative weekly topic schedule is as follows: 1.Introduction 2.What is Intellectual History? 3.What is Japan? 4.Edo as Central Magnificence 5.Edo as Uncivilized 6.Edo as Culture 7.Edo as Feudal 8.Edo as Early Modern 9.Edo as Postmodern 10.Japan as a Religious Community 11.Japan as Christian 12.Japan as Buddhist 13.Japan as Confucian 14.Japan as Shinto 15.(final exam) 16.Feedback (Please note that the above themes and their order might vary from year to year) |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Grading will be based on a final exam only. 100% Final Exam |
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| 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 has a grasp of the basic outlines of Japanese history. | ||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Reviewing class notes and possibly clarifying unclear items through independent study. | ||
