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HIST480 HISTORY OF JAPAN

Course Objectives

• Understand the History of Japan: Develop a broad and comprehensive knowledge of Japan’s history, from ancient times to the post-WWII era, covering political, social, cultural, and economic developments.

• Examine Japan’s Modernization Efforts: Analyze Japan’s efforts to modernize, particularly as a non-Western civilization, and understand how Japan navigated the challenges of industrialization, military expansion, and becoming a major global power.

• Explore the Political Evolution of Japan: Study the political history of Japan, including the rise of the imperial system, the feudal era, the Meiji Restoration, and the impact of WWII on Japan’s political landscape.

• Understand Japan's Cultural and Social Structures: Investigate key aspects of Japanese society and culture, including the role of Shinto and Buddhism, class structures, family systems, and cultural traditions that shaped Japanese identity.

• Analyze Japan’s Economic Development: Examine the economic history of Japan, from its early agrarian economy to the rapid industrialization during the Meiji period, and understand how Japan’s economy evolved through the post-WWII era.

• Study the Geography and Islands of Japan: Investigate the geographical factors influencing Japan’s history, including its island status, resource limitations, and how these shaped Japan’s political, social, and economic development.

• Place Japan’s History in a Global Context: Contextualize Japan’s history within the global framework, exploring Japan’s interactions with China, Korea, Western powers, and its place in the broader narrative of world history.

• Understand the Impact of WWII on Japan: Analyze the causes and consequences of WWII on Japan, including its defeat, occupation by Allied forces, and the subsequent social, political, and economic transformation in the post-WWII era.

Course Content

1. A broad knowledge of modernization efforts of a non-western civilization.
2. Japanese history from ancient times to the post –WWII era.
3. History of Japanese islands and the basic understandings necessary to study Japanese society, politics, economics and culture.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

Demonstrate Knowledge of Japan's History: Exhibit a thorough understanding of the major events, periods, and figures in Japanese history, from ancient times to the post-WWII era.

Analyze Japan's Modernization Process: Critically analyze how Japan, as a non-Western civilization, undertook its modernization efforts, particularly focusing on the Meiji Restoration, industrialization, and Japan's emergence as a world power.

Understand Political Changes: Demonstrate a clear understanding of Japan’s political evolution, including the development of the imperial system, feudal structures, and Japan’s political landscape through the Meiji period and WWII.

Examine Social and Cultural Aspects of Japanese Society: Understand and explain the social structures, cultural traditions, and religious practices (Shintoism, Buddhism) that have shaped Japanese society and identity over time.

Program Outcomes Matrix

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution