Admission requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course. Non-major Japanstudies students will also be admitted so long as there is seating available.
Description
What is Japanese politics? Is it different from politics elsewhere? Who determines Japan’s foreign policy? What normative and structural opportunities and constraints determine how actors influence the direction of Japanese politics and international relations? How have Japan’s politics and international relations evolved over time and what are the key issues and events that shape contemporary Japanese politics and international relations? Which theoretical approaches and concepts are helpful in understanding contemporary Japanese politics and international relations? In this course, we will explore these questions and more through a series of interactive lectures.
The course begins by examining Japan’s ‘entry’ into a Janus-faced European International Society. We explore the nexus between imperialism, pan-Asianism, and internationalism that shaped Japan’s international relations from the Meiji era to the early Shōwa period. The next two sessions focus on the aftermath of WWII and Japan’s subsequent economic rise under the ‘1955 system’. Sessions four and five cover the end of the Cold War, the burst of Japan’s economic bubble, political and postal reform, and Japan’s commitment to the liberal international order. Subsequent sessions cover the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administrations from 2009-2012, during which the Okinawa base relocation, 3/11 disaster, and Senkaku/Daioyu island dispute were key issues in Japan’s politics and international relations. The remaining sessions focus on human rights and demographics, Sino-Japanese relations, press freedom and Constitutional Revision, non-state actors and Abenomics, and finally an evaluation of the Abe era and assessment of Japanese politics and international relations today. Throughout the course, students will learn about key issues, norms, actors, and institutions that shape Japan’s politics and international relations, as well as the concepts and theoretical approaches that help us make sense of how Japanese politics and international relations works.
Course objectives
Acquire fundamental knowledge about key issues, norms, actors, and institutions in contemporary Japanese politics and international relations.
Acquire an understanding of and be able to explain central concepts and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of Japanese politics and international relations.
Develop a critical awareness of Japanese politics and international relations as constructed, multiple, political, and dynamic.
Learn how to read academic literature, identify and explain key arguments, and develop the ability to synthesize assigned reading materials.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Assessment method
Assessment:
Exams with open and closed questions
Weekly Assignments
Weighing:
Mid-term Examination (40%)
Final Examination (40%)
Weekly Assignments (20%)
All partial elements (both exams and assignments) of the course must be passed to receive a passing grade for the course. The course grade will be based on the weighted average of all course elements, with the condition that all partial elements must have been completed successfully to receive a passing grade.
Resit
Students whose combined average of the Mid-term and Final Exams is below a passing mark will be administered a combined resit examination (hertentamen) covering the entire course material. The outcome of the combined resit supersedes earlier results on the midterm and final exams. Students who pass the resit must also receive a passing grade for the weekly assignments in order to pass the course.
Inspection and Feedback
Students may make an individual appointment with the instructor within 30 days of the announcement of the exam grades in order to view their exam.
Reading list
Kingston, J. (2019) Japan, Newark: Polity Press – Students are advised to read this short book (available online via the University library) in advance of the lectures.
Additional readings are either on reserve in the library or are available digitally.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr