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INTRODUCTION TO JAPAN'S HISTORY AND CULTURE
| Subtitle | From the Meiji Restoration to the end of World War II (1868-1945) |
|---|---|
| Lecturer(s) | NOBORI, AMIKO |
| Credit(s) | 2 |
| Academic Year/Semester | 2025 Spring (2nd Half) |
| Day/Period | Thu.1,2 |
| Campus | Mita |
| Class Format | Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person) |
| Registration Number | 19749 |
| Faculty/Graduate School | INTERNATIONAL CENTER |
| Year Level | 2, 3, 4 |
| Grade Type | This item will appear when you log in (Keio ID required). |
| Course Description | A course to aim to learn an introductory post-World War II Japanese history, with focus on foreign policy and discussion of domestic factors affecting it. |
| K-Number | CIN-CO-00153-212-03 |
| Course Administrator | Faculty/Graduate School | CIN | INTERNATIONAL CENTER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department/Major | CO | ||
| Main Course Number | Level | 0 | Faculty-wide |
| Major Classification | 0 | Other Course | |
| Minor Classification | 15 | International Center Course (Humanities) - History | |
| Subject Type | 3 | Elective subject | |
| Supplemental Course Information | Class Classification | 2 | Lecture |
| Class Format | 1 | Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person) | |
| Language of Instruction | 2 | English | |
| Academic Discipline | 03 | History, archaeology, museology, and related fields | |
Course Contents/Objectives/Teaching Method/Intended Learning Outcome
1. Course Description
This course explores the major developments in Japanese history and culture from the Meiji period to the end of World War II. The course focuses on key issues and transformations in Japanese society, politics, foreign relations, and culture. Central questions to be addressed include: What were the major transformations in modern Japanese history? What factors explain these changes? How have Japanese society and culture evolved? How has Japan interacted with the world? By the end of the course, students are expected to gain a broad understanding of the key events and dynamics that shaped modern Japan’s historical development.
2. Assignments
2.1 Weekly Comments
Reading materials for this course are available on the K-LMS platform. Each week’s readings can be found in the corresponding class folder (e.g., materials for Week 2 are in the “Week 2” folder). Students are required to read the assigned materials for each class and submit a short comment (maximum 150 words) on the reading. The comment must be uploaded to the “Weekly Comments” section of that week’s folder by 11:00 AM on the day before class. Comments should not summarize the reading but should present the student’s original opinion or ideas. For example, comments might critically assess the author’s argument, react to specific parts of the material, or compare it to cases from other countries. Detailed instructions on writing comments will be provided in the first class.
2.2 Debate
Students will be divided into groups to participate in a debate scheduled for Week 14. During Week 9, each group will have time to select a debate topic related to Japanese history and culture (1868–1945). More details will be shared in class.
3. Term Paper
There will be no final exam for this course. Instead, students are required to submit a term paper (1,500 words) on a topic related to Japanese history and culture within the period covered by the course. The paper must be submitted via the Canvas LMS platform. Detailed submission instructions and deadlines will be provided during the semester.
This course explores the major developments in Japanese history and culture from the Meiji period to the end of World War II. The course focuses on key issues and transformations in Japanese society, politics, foreign relations, and culture. Central questions to be addressed include: What were the major transformations in modern Japanese history? What factors explain these changes? How have Japanese society and culture evolved? How has Japan interacted with the world? By the end of the course, students are expected to gain a broad understanding of the key events and dynamics that shaped modern Japan’s historical development.
2. Assignments
2.1 Weekly Comments
Reading materials for this course are available on the K-LMS platform. Each week’s readings can be found in the corresponding class folder (e.g., materials for Week 2 are in the “Week 2” folder). Students are required to read the assigned materials for each class and submit a short comment (maximum 150 words) on the reading. The comment must be uploaded to the “Weekly Comments” section of that week’s folder by 11:00 AM on the day before class. Comments should not summarize the reading but should present the student’s original opinion or ideas. For example, comments might critically assess the author’s argument, react to specific parts of the material, or compare it to cases from other countries. Detailed instructions on writing comments will be provided in the first class.
2.2 Debate
Students will be divided into groups to participate in a debate scheduled for Week 14. During Week 9, each group will have time to select a debate topic related to Japanese history and culture (1868–1945). More details will be shared in class.
3. Term Paper
There will be no final exam for this course. Instead, students are required to submit a term paper (1,500 words) on a topic related to Japanese history and culture within the period covered by the course. The paper must be submitted via the Canvas LMS platform. Detailed submission instructions and deadlines will be provided during the semester.
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