HIST 277-01 HISTORY OP MODERN JAPAN Spring 2005

Department of History Macalester College

Prof. Y. H. Tam T Th, 1:00-2:30PM, CAR208

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims at introducing the important aspects of political,

economic, social, and cultural changes in modern Japan from the mid-18th century

to the present day. The focus is on the process of modernization in Japan The

course will concentrate on the following problem areas: the Tokugawa (1600-1868)

legacy, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 the Meiji state of 1881—1905. the Taisho

democratic movements in the 1920’s, the military dominance in the 1930’s and

1940’s, the aggressive moves n Asia. the Pacific War, and the post-war changes.

Through readings, lectures, discussions and audio visual presentations,

students will also be introduced to issues in Japan’s international relations

READINGS

Required readings are approximately 80-100 pages per week. There are

several outstanding general historical accounts, but the following books are

chosen for most of the assigned readings:

Mikiso Hane. Modern Japan: A Historical Survey. Westview Press.

Ryusaku Tsunoda (ed.) Sources of .Japanese Tradition, Vol. 2. Columbia U Press.

Mikiso Hane. Eastern Phoenix: Japan Since 1945. Westview Press.

Recommended Readings:

Carol Gluck. Japan’s Modern Myths: Ideology in the Late Meiji Period

Princeton U Press.

Herbert P. Bix. Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan. Harper Collins.

Additional readings, including journal articles may be assigned from time to time. Students are

expected to finish the required readings prior to class meetings.

REQUIREMENTS & ASSESSMENT

Map Excercise 5%

Attendance & Discussion Participation: 20%

2 short papers or book reviews (6-8 pages each) 40%

Occasional quizzes on assigned readings 15%

Final Exam 20%

LATE PAPERS & MAKE-UP EXAMS

Except for medical reasons or family emergencies about which the Dean of

Students has been properly notified, late papers and make-up examinations will

receive a reduction of 20% in grading.

OFFICE HOURS

TTh, ll:45AM-l2:45PM; W, 2:30-4:30PM; and by appointment

Room 305, Old Main, Tel. 65l-696-6262

Also, please feel free to call me at home (651-457-6529)

Emai tam@macalester.edu

CLASS SCHEDULE

Week of January 24

25 -Orientation Meeting: Course Introduction

27 -Land and people in Japan

Readings: Mikiso Hane, Modern Japan - Introduction, chapter 1

Recommended readings: Hall, John W, & Richard K. Beardsley,

Twelve Doors to Japan, 2-45

Discussion topics: Significance of geographical features on historical

developments in traditional Japan Compared with England, how

“splendid” is the Japanese isolation in terms of political and cultural

transformation? The impact of the natural disasters in Japan.

Map Exercise begins (due February 8)

FEBRUARY

01-Traditional Japan in Review

03-Feudalism in Japan

Readings: Hane, chs.2-4

Recommended readings: Duus, Peter. Feudalism in Japan, whole book.

Discussion Topics: What are the significant features in the historical

development in traditional Japan? How would you describe traditional

Japan’s foreign relations? Characteristics of Japanese feudalism vs European

feudalism. Legacy of Tokugawa system.

Week of February 7

08-Meiji Restoration, I

10-Meiji Restoration, II

Readings: Hane, cps. 5-6.

Discussion topics: Who engineered the Meiji Restoration? What were

“restored” and “created” by the Meiji Restoration? How would you

characterize the Meiji Restoration: a coup? a reform? a revolution?

Map Exercise due Feb. 8

Week of February 14

15-Meiji Reforms

17-Social & Economic Development

Readings: Hane, Chapters 7-8; Ryusaku Tsunoda, Sources of Japanese tradition, Vol. II, chapter 25.

Recommended readings: Carol Cluck, Japan’s modern myths:

Ideology in the Late Meiji period, 3-101.

Discussion topics: Was the privatization a deliberate move? What were

the causes for overseas expansion for Meiji Japan? How crucial was the

role of the Meiji oligarchy in providing elitist leadership during the

early phase of Japan’s modernization? Assess the contribution of the

leaders: Kido Koin, Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, Ito Hirobumi,

Okuma Shigenobu, Yamagata Aritomo, or Ozaki Yukio. Assess the

significance of the social and cultural changes.

Week of February 21

22-Treaty Revision & Overseas Expansion.

24-Crisis in Cultural Identity

Readings: Hane, Chapters 9-10; Tsunoda, ch. 29; Kenneth B. Pyle,

New Generation in Meiji Japan. Read as much as you can.

Recommended readings: Gluck 157-286; Tam, “Informal Groups...,”

whole paper.

Discussion topics: What was the Meiji Dream for Japanese of

different status and orientation? How the world look at Meiji Japan? How

did the Japanese themselves evaluate their country? Was the identity

crisis in the new generation in Meiji Japan real? And why? discuss the “

myths” in Gluck’s hook.

MARCH

Week of March 1

01-Changes in the Taisho (1912-1926) Era, I

03-Changes in the Taisho (1912-1926) Era, II

Readings: Hane, Chs.l0-l1; Tsunoda, Chapter 26.

Discussion topics: What is significance of the Taisho Democracy? To what

extent had the Japanese established democratic institutions and

democratic patterns of behavior by the 1920’s? Was Hara Kei a

democratic liberal”? What were the weaknesses of democracy in Taisho

Japan? Comment on ideas of Yoshino Sakuzo, Minohe Tatsukichi, Shidehara

Kijiro or Yamamuro Sobun.

First paper due March 3

Week of March 7

08-The Left Wing & Right Wing Social Movements, I

10-The Left Wing & Right Wing Social Movements II

Readings: Hane, Ch. 12; Tsunoda, ch. 28

Recommended readings: Bix., Hirohito, Part II

Discussion topics: Was Shidehara a “democratic liberal”? Consider the

leftist ideological disputes in pre-war Japan: mass versus class appeal:

evolutionary versus revolutionary strategy; the significance of the

right-wing ideology; legal versus illegal tactics.

Week of March 14

15-The Road to Militarism: What went wrong?

17-Invasion of China & the Pacific War

Readings: Hane Chs. 13-14: Tsunoda, ch. 27; E.O. Reischauer,

What Went Wrong?” in James W. Morley ed. Dilemmas of Growth in Prewar

Japan, 489-510; and Bix, Part III.

Discussion topics: Discuss the causes of militarism in Japan. What

were Japan’s aims and aspirations in seeking to establish a “ new order’’ and

atmosphere” in East Asia? What was the context of

international relations that led to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour? Was

militarism a logical outcome of the Japanese- style modernization?

Should Hirohito be tried as a war criminal?

Week of March 21

[Mid—Term Break, No Class]

Week of March 28

29-Occupation Reforms, I

31-Occupation Reforms, II

Readings: Hane, Ch.15; and Hane, Eastern Phoenix, Ch. 1