LAS151 History and Culture in Japan

Overview

This module explores what it means to study Japan at university level, and considers how ‘area studies’ research on Japan fits within disciplines such as history, literature, international relations, and cultural studies. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore Japan’s transformation into a modern nation state (1868-1945). We will consider how studies of Japan are built, how researchers use primary evidence in text and/or images to understand change; how to navigate key debates in a field and evaluate competing arguments. You will finish this module with a deeper understanding of modern Japan and the disciplinary approaches that frame it, and a foundation in critical research and writing skills that you can apply and develop in further study.

Topics Covered

• Introduction to modern Japanese history

• Japanese society from 1868 until 1945

• Why and how do we study Japanese history?

• The Meiji Period - Embracing Modernity and Nation Building

• Studying Japanese history using different materials

• Imperial Japan and Empire -  The experiences of colonial subjects

• Library Visit and searching for Literature

• The Taishō Period - Democracy and the Emergence of Mass Culture

• Gender in Imperial Japan

• The early Shōwa Period and the Asia-Pacific War

• The Aftermath of WWII in East Asia and its Memory

Skills Development

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Academic writing

• Communication skills

• Cultural agility

• Knowledge

Study Hours

The University recommends that you spend 200 hours working on a 20-credit module. This will include:

• Lecture: 4 hours

• Seminar: 10 hours

• Independent study: 186 hours

Assessment

Portfolio 100%