HIST 78
History of Japan
Fall 2026 - Section #70778 - Full Semester
Saddleback College
Embedded Files
Welcome to Hist 78!
Welcome to Hist 78!
My name is Christina Ghanbarpour, and I am the instructor for this course.
I specialize in world history and East Asian history with a focus on 20th c. Japan. At Saddleback, I teach the world history survey and East Asian history (Hist 4, 5, 70, 71, 72, 78).
I am originally from New York, NY but have travelled a lot, mostly to China, Japan, and France. This is a picture of me at the Mingei Museum in San Diego. "Mingei" means "folk art" in Japanese. Read more on my website.
About This Site
About This Site
This website is our syllabus. If you are a student in Hist 78 and you are using a desktop or laptop, go ahead and bookmark this page. If you are on a phone, add a shortcut to it. If none of these work for you and you would just prefer a regular paper copy... that's available, too. Below are some helpful links:
How to Use This Site
How to Use This Site
Start with this page, the home page. Scroll down for an overview of the class and resources to help you get through the course. Then, click on:
Policies to view the grading policy and class rules;
Schedule to view assignments, due dates, and guidelines; and
Plagiarism to learn about how we cite sources in this class (it's really important to get this right!).
Depending on which type of device you are using, you can access these either at the top right of this page or through the hamburger menu (three lines) at the top left.
When you feel like you have a good grasp of the course, click on Canvas to log on to our class and start doing assignments.
Course Description
Course Description
History 78 is a survey of Japan’s history from the emergence of the earliest societies to the present. Topics include agriculture, religion, philosophy, relations with other Asian countries and the West, the samurai tradition, capitalism, industrialization, anime, manga, sports and art.
This course will also help you develop the skills necessary to write a thoughtful, well-argued research paper. Class assignments will include writing parts of what will become your final paper. Assignments are designed to build on each other.
ZTC COURSE
ZTC COURSE
This class is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) class. The materials we use are free, open-source textbooks and readings that will be on Canvas. They are listed in the Schedule.
Humanoid robots doing industry-related tasks at the annual Tokyo Robot Show in 2008. As Japan's population has aged, companies have turned increasingly to robots to fill in the gaps caused by labor shortages. (Author's photo)
Want to know more about samurai? Watch this 3-minute video showing Isao Machii, a modern-day sword master, demonstrate samurai-style swordsmanship using the samurai's main weapon, the katana. (In Japanese only - but still fun to watch!)
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
This class focuses on building the following academic skills:
Critical Thinking: Analyze, using historical evidence, three major turning points in Japanese history to the present;
Research: Learn methodologies common to professional historians, including research, critical analysis, and synthesis;
Sources: Investigate, differentiate, and synthesize historical evidence.
To Succeed in this Course...
To Succeed in this Course...
Students must have a reliable Internet connection; email access; and the ability to read documents ending in the following: .pdf, .jpg, .doc, .xls, .ppt, and FLV (Flash—Youtube format). NOTE: If you have a working Saddleback or IVC email address…. you have FREE access to Microsoft Office. Contact our Tech Support at 949-582-4363 if you need help downloading this Google doc.
For this full-semester course, students should expect to spend about 3 hours a week reading the lectures, viewing the interactive features, doing the assignments, and taking notes. I recommend bookmarking, short-cutting or printing out important information such as this syllabus. I do not recommend last-minute cramming for exams, as students who fail to keep up with the readings run out of time during the timed exams.
Diversity Statement
Diversity Statement
I would like to create a learning environment where diverse perspectives are recognized, respected and seen as a source of strength. This class presents a variety of perspectives within the course materials and through our class discussions and assignments. In addition, to help accomplish this goal, I ask the following:
I (like many people) am still in the process of learning about diverse perspectives and identities. If something was said in class (by anyone) that made you feel uncomfortable, please talk to me about it. (Anonymous feedback is always an option- an anonymous student survey is available on Canvas.)
If you feel like your class performance is being affected by your experiences outside of class, please don't hesitate to come and talk with me. I want to be a resource for you. You can also submit anonymous feedback (which may lead to me making a general announcement if needed).
If you are a veteran and you find our discussions of war and its aftermath distressing, or if you want to talk about them, contact me.
Students who have a disability or other condition necessitating accommodation are encouraged to discuss their needs with the instructor.
If you have a name and/or set of pronouns that differ from those that appear in your official records, please let me know!
Accessibility and Special Services
Accessibility and Special Services
This course meets the requirements set forth in the accessibility checklist and universal design grid provided by Special Services. The web pages, video presentations, textbooks and class materials used in this course are accessible to students.
How to Reach Your Instructor
How to Reach Your Instructor
The best way to contact me is by email, cghanbarpour@saddleback.edu. I will also have live office hours on Zoom on Fris from 10 am- 12 pm - check Canvas for information. You can contact me through the Canvas portal or directly via this email address. If you don’t hear back from me in 48 hours… then either your email didn’t go through or I am dead. (Hopefully it’s the former.) Try to email me again, or stop by office hours, or call the SBS Division Office at (949) 582-4733.
NEED HELP?
NEED HELP?
At Saddleback College, we support YOUR success. Saddleback College provides resources ranging from the academic to the personal. What are you waiting for?
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT!
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
FREE tutoring - LRC
TARGETED RESOURCES
IT support- Email, MySite, Canvas
DSPS (Disability) Center support
ESL - English as a Second Language
ISP - International Students Program
WELCOME TO OUR CLASS!
WELCOME TO OUR CLASS!
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