Every week, you will have either a Lesson or a Writing Project due. For Lessons, choose two Weekly Comments questions from the “Weekly Comments” slide in the Powerpoint lectures. Post a 100-200 word (one paragraph) response per question to the online forum, the Discussions board, on Canvas, by 11 pm on the Saturday of the week they are assigned (see below).
VERY IMPORTANT: Post Weekly Comments together in one post. To post, click on the last link on the Lesson page, then click on “Reply” on the lower right.
An “A” response will include evidence from the readings. For examples of “ideal” posts, responses, and questions, log on to Canvas, click on our class, scroll down, then click on the Orientation – Start Here! page.
After you upload your answers to Turnitin, head to the Discussions board. After you answer the question(s) on the Discussions board and post your response(s), you can view other students’ responses. Reply to at least 2 other students’ posts.
To reply to a post, make sure the post that you want to reply to is highlighted, then click Reply.
Comments must be substantive, that is, add a new point or idea (“I liked this post because…,” “I agree with…but I disagree with…because”). To receive full credit, they must be at least 40 words.
An “A” response respectfully expresses your opinion, gives a reason why you think so, and adds to the conversation. See “Grading Guidelines and Ideal Posts” on the Orientation - Start Here! page in Modules for ideas.
Please be respectful of others’ posts. Be aware that email and Discussions board comments may sound harsher than intended and adjust your comments. Review Netiquette rules if you are unsure about Internet behavior.
There are six projects that are designed to help you write your final research paper. Each constitutes a step towards building your research, writing and analytical skills, and is worth 5% of your grade. You may skip one Writing Project. Writing Projects are due on the day indicated in your class schedule (below).
Papers will be a minimum of 6 pages in length on an historical topic of the student’s choice. Topics are listed on the Your First Assignment page in our class on Canvas.
Students must use a minimum of five sources to support their ideas, and are encouraged to use as many as needed to complete their projects.
Sources may include books, art, architecture, documentaries/specifically educational films, interviews, charts or statistics, or journal articles. If you are unsure about a source, contact me. If you need help finding a source, check out our class Lib Guide.
Of the five sources you will need for your paper, one MUST be a primary source. (See the Your First Assignment page on Canvas for more information, or use this link.)
Two of your five sources MUST be sources we have not used in class. These can't be the same as your primary source; these two, and your primary source, must be three different sources.
In-class readings can also be used for your paper, so long as you have at least two outside sources. An in-class reading can also be used as your primary source.
It is expected that students will properly cite all materials in their texts (see Plagiarism for help).
All final papers must be submitted online through Turnitin on Canvas. Papers received late will be marked late. Additional instructions will be provided throughout the course. See below for the due date and late penalties.
See the “Paper Topics” document on the Your First Assignment page for additional guidelines and support.
This class is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) class. That means that the materials we use are free, open-source textbooks and readings that will be on Canvas and in the Saddleback Library. They are listed with their due dates, below.
If you feel you need more support or are interested in acquiring a textbook that offers an overview of the themes we cover in this course, I recommend the following:
Brett L. Walker, A Concise History of Japan, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015. Access it through this link or download (you will need to use your Saddleback ID and password to access the full text).This book is also available for purchase in eBook and in print- check the website for info.
Elise K. Tipton, Modern Japan: A Social and Political History. You can either access it through this link or download the .pdf (on Canvas- use your Saddleback ID and password to access the text).
For this introductory lesson, you will practice the basic skills needed to to succeed this online course. Follow the instructions online to complete the lesson.
Required Reading: Read the articles linked to the “Your First Assignment” page.
RESPONSE DUE: Saturday, 8/23, by 11 pm
Required Reading: A Concise History of Japan, Ch 1: The Birth of the Yamato State (pp. 10-25); excerpts from History of the Kingdom of the Wei (online- check Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 8/30, by 11 pm
Required Reading: Complete the online assignment. *Start getting sources for your paper!
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 9/6, by 11 pm
Required: Selections from Konjaku monogatari; Sei Shônagon's Pillow Book; Tale of Genji (on Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 9/13, by 11 pm
Required Reading: Selections from the Tale of the Heike; Essays in Idleness (on Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 9/20, by 11 pm
Due on Turnitin: a bibliography for at least 3 sources you will use for your paper. Check Canvas for instructions and examples.
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 9/27, by 11 pm
Required Reading: Merchant house codes; bushidô (the “Way of the Warrior”) (on Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 10/4, by 11 pm
Required Reading: Mikiso Hane, “The Textile Factory Workers” (on Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 10/11, by 11 pm
Required: Read selections from "The Plan to Occupy Manchuria;" Japan at War: An Oral History (“Manchurian Days,” “Poison Gas Island,” and “Human Torpedo”); “Bitter Memories I Am Loath to Recall;" read and view images from Hiroshima/Nagasaki survivors (link or .pdf on Canvas).
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 10/18, by 11 pm
Students submit a one-page summary of one of the readings you will use for your paper on Turnitin. See Canvas for instructions and examples.
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 10/25, by 11 pm
Required: Read excerpts from the 1947 Constitution; watch “Grave of Fireflies;” read Wendy Goldberg’s “Transcending the Victim’s History” (on Canvas). Note: although this anime was designed with middle-school-age viewers in mind, some material may be difficult to watch. View at your discretion. I suggest watching the movie first to get your own ideas before reading the Goldberg article.
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 11/1, by 11 pm
The first page of your paper is due on Turnitin. Students may submit any of the following: the introduction and a paragraph of the paper; an outline of your paper; or a one-page summary of your argument.
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 11/8, by 11 pm
Required: “Nimble Fingers” in Simon Partner, Assembled in Japan, pp. 193-224. Use this link (sign in with Saddleback ID and password) or download the .pdf from Canvas.
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 11/15, by 11 pm
Due: the first draft of your paper. Aim for as complete a draft as possible.
Due next week: Writing Project #6. You must complete Writing Project #5 to start Writing Project #6. Students will share a copy of their final drafts and get feedback from at least one other student and the professor. Check instructions and guidelines on Canvas. ***Keep reading AND WRITING for your paper!
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 11/22, by 11 pm
You must complete Writing Project #5 to access Writing Project #6. Once you complete Writing Project #5, you will see a "To Do" item on Canvas for "Peer Editing." Click on that, download the peer editing form, read a fellow student's paper, and use the form to make helpful suggestions. Optional: do two peer edits instead of just one for extra credit.
PROJECT DUE: SUNDAY, 11/30, by 11 pm***extension for Thanksgiving holiday***
Required Reading: 21st century readings (on Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 12/6, by 11 pm
LATE PAPERS WILL BE DOCKED POINTS AS FOLLOWS: up to 2 hrs late: -2 points; more than 2 hrs - 5 hrs. late: -4 pts. No papers accepted past 8 pm on 12/10!