Description
This course examines the role of political discourse and ideology in the development of the modern Japanese nation state between 1500 and 1900. In particular, this course focuses on the utilization of religion by governments to enhance legal frameworks, political control and unified identity in Japan under the leadership of the state. The course aims to equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to initiate their own graduation project, on a topic of their choice relating to this period.
Students from any of the East Asia related area departments, the history department, or students involved in any aspect of religious or politics related studies should benefit from this course in acquiring firstly an understanding of important political and ideological aspects of the formation of modern Japan, and secondly a theoretical grounding in common approaches to the role of ideology and religion in political modernization.
This course therefore has three main aims. Firstly to simply equip students with an understanding of a range of issues in the political history of early-modern Japan.
Secondly to equip students with analytical skills which can be applied to deconstructing long term narratives of history by using particular theoretical paradigms of modernization discourse. This course will particularly concentrate on introducing students to theories relating to the role of ideology and religion in modern state formation.
The course will use these elements to begin preparation of the student for work on a BA thesis in the follow-up 2nd semester course
Teaching method
Tutorial
The language of instruction will be: 1st semester: English and Dutch, 2nd semester: Japanese and English
Admission requirements
Student should have taken at least one 2nd or 3rd year course taught by any of the following: Dr Paramore, Prof Blusse, Prof Gommans, Prof Ivo Smits, Prof Barend ter Haar, Prof. Boudewijn Walraven, Dr. Koen de Ceuster, Dr Ethan Mark, or Dr H. Van De Veere.
Course objectives
Students from any of the East Asia related area departments, the history department, or students involved in any aspect of religious or politics related studies should benefit from this course in acquiring firstly an understanding of important political and ideological aspects of the formation of modern Japan, and secondly a theoretical grounding in common approaches to the role of ideology and religion in political modernization.
This course therefore has three main aims. Firstly to simply equip students with an understanding of a range of issues in the political history of early-modern Japan.
Secondly to equip students with analytical skills which can be applied to deconstructing long term narratives of history by using particular theoretical paradigms of modernization discourse. This course will particularly concentrate on introducing students to theories relating to the role of ideology and religion in modern state formation.
The course will use these elements to begin preparation of the student for work on a BA thesis in the follow-up 2nd semester course.
Course load
N.a.
Required reading
N.a.
Test method
Participation element (attendance, class discussion (including participation in online forums between classes)) 30%
Review element (literature review (1,000-1,500): 20%
Final paper (research essay with summative analysis (2,500-3,000 words)): 30%
Summative element (joint research project and presentation) 20%
Time table
For more information, check time table.
Contact
Registration
Via U-twist, check enrollment
Blackboard
yes