LAS228 Modern Japanese History 

Overview

This module will explore key themes in the modern history of Japan from the mid-nineteenth to the late twentieth century, while developing core skills in reading primary sources and historical analysis. Broad themes include identity and nation-building, social and economic change, war and its practical and cultural legacies. Key sub-disciplinary approaches will be based in social and cultural history, with some excursions into other historiographical approaches. It will be delivered through weekly lectures, and seminars structured around developing primary source analysis skills and relating these to appropriate secondary literature.  

Major Themes Covered

• What is modernity and how did Japan relate to it?

• Has what we understand as Japan changed over the years since 1868?

• How do we do history?

Specific Topics Covered

• How the Japanese nation was built during the Meiji period

• The Taishō period and debates over modernity

• The motivations for the expansion of the Japanese Empire

• How the war is remembered

• The impact of the US Occupation and Cold War Alliances

• Outcomes of postwar capitalist development

• The changing politics of identity

• The “Lost Decade(s)” and the end of the postwar period

Skills developed

On completion of this module, as well as enhanced understanding of the module content and themes outlined above, you will also be able to demonstrate:

• Critical thinking – You will critically assess different approaches to how history is made, challenged and deployed;

• Analytical skills – You will locate, evaluate and interpret a range of historical sources;

• Independent learning – You will conduct independent research and writing tasks

• Communication skills – You will develop the ability to articulate informed opinions in seminar discussions and develop and sustain arguments through different modes of assessment.

Study Hours

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

• Lectures 10 hours

• Seminars 10 hours

• Independent study 180 hours

Assessment

• Research Essay  50%

• Take Home Exam 40%

• In-class Primary Source Exercise  10%