Prospectus

nl en

History of Japan to 1868

Course
2009-2010

Description

This course examines the history of organized human societies in the Japanese archipelago from pre-history to the second half of the nineteenth century. We will focus particularly on the historical narrative traditionally used to represent the formation of what in modern times is referred to as “the Japanese nation”. In other words, this course deliberately focuses on mainstream political histories of Japan. This is partly because most studies of Japanese literature, society, politics, law, art or economics are heavily influenced by this mainstream, traditional approach to Japanese history. It is also because most global histories, even today, tend to rely on this approach when integrating Japan into world history. Therefore it is important for students to have an in-depth understanding of this way of looking at Japanese history, and to be capable of taking a critical stance towards it.

Although we will utilize this traditional narrative to work through around 1500 years of Japanese history, the course also aims to give students a basic introduction to skills through which they can develop their own critical approaches to such narratives. The primary way we do this is by introducing translated source documents and encouraging students to use these sources to build-on, support and/or criticize the mainstream historical narratives which are introduced.
most studies of Japanese literature, society, politics, law, art or economics are heavily influenced by this mainstream, traditional approach to Japanese history. It is also because most global histories, even today, tend to rely on this approach when integrating Japan into world history. Therefore it is important for students to have an in-depth understanding of this way of looking at Japanese history, and to be capable of taking a critical stance towards it.

Although we will utilize this traditional narrative to work through around 1500 years of Japanese history, the course also aims to give students a basic introduction to skills through which they can develop their own critical approaches to such narratives. The primary way we do this is by introducing translated source documents and encouraging students to use these sources to build-on, support and/or criticize the mainstream historical narratives which are introduced.

Teaching method

Lecture

Admission requirements

None

Course objectives

This course aims to equip students with a base knowledge of major events and narratives in the history of Japan up to the late 1800s. This includes equipping students with a solid understanding of the relationship between Japanese, East Asian and World histories over this period.

The course also aims to give the first year student an introduction to methods of exploring and resolving the tension between “sources” and “narrative” inherent in much historical research on this period. It does that by encouraging students to read and use translated historical source material.

Course load

n.a.

Required reading

W.J. Boot, Keizers en Shōgun – Een geschiedenis van Japan tot 1868, Amsterdam: Salomé – Amsterdam University Press, 2001

Test method

Midterm take-home test: 35%
Final paper: 65%

Time table

Time table

Information

Dhr. Dr. K. Paramore

Registration

Via U-twist, check aanmeldingsprocedure

Blackboard

yes

Remarks

n.a.