HISTORY 481

Note: Be sure to check PSU's course management system (commonly known as ANGEL) at least once a week. All announcements for the course will be posted on this system.

The textbook for this course, Making Japanese, is available on the web at the Textbook Site. Read it as we go through the course at approximately the same pace as the in-class topics.

You might also want a more conventional textbook, especially if you have not taken any prerequisite courses for HIST 481. If so, feel free to buy one or check one out from the library. There are about 20-25 textbooks on modern Japan in print, many of which are just about the same in terms of coverage, approach, and readability. There are a few textbooks that stand out above the rest for being different in a good sense. One is John Hunter Boyle, Modern Japan: The American Nexus. This highly readable book is not a comprehensive survey of Japanese history, but, as the title indicates, it focuses on the relationships between Japan and the United States. Perhaps the best of the specialized (i.e., not comprehensive) textbooks is J. E. Thomas, Modern Japan: A Social History since 1868, which is willing to go into many areas that most textbook authors fear to tread. Of the many comprehensive textbooks, the best of the bunch is probably Andrew Gordon, A Modern History of Japan from Tokugawa Times to the Present (companion web site: http://www.oxfordjapan.org/). Another good choice is Peter Duus, Modern Japan (second edition). Textbooks such as these are optional. Some of you may want to read one or more of them simply because of a strong interest in the subject matter, and a few of you might feel more comfortable with a conventional, comprehensive textbook at hand for background and as a reference. Making Japanese is all you will need for immediate task of exam preparation.

HIST 481 examines Japan during the 19th and 20th centuries. The organization of the course is more thematic than chronological. The goal is not to provide a comprehensive overview of modern Japanese history because there is simply too much material to cover in a single semester. Instead, I will focus on topics and themes that are not only essential for understanding Japan today, but which also shed light on broader human problems in the modern world. As far as I can tell, there is nothing radically different about Japan's modern development compared with that of, say, for example, France, Germany, or Russia. The details of each country's modern history, are, of course, different, but the basic processes are often quite similar. One goal of this course is to banish the notion that Japan's historical development is in any important way unique, mysterious, bizarre, or otherwise peculiar. There is a strong tendency to tell Japan's story only from the standpoint of leading members of society, and, while we too will encounter many of these important historical figures, we will also pay attention to what ordinary Japanese of different walks of life were thinking and doing.

In this spirit, then, the course most broadly examines the question of group and individual identities in modern Japan and their implications for cultural politics. The textbook title Making Japanese is about this very matter. It is from this vantage point that we examine certain aspects of politics, social life, economic development, diplomacy, and military affairs. Because Japan's modern history took place amidst a world dominated by several powerful imperialist countries, we shall often need to pay attention to Japan's relationships with foreign countries. Three other topics to which we will pay close attention are: 1) the role of the state in "making Japanese," that is, in promoting national consciousness, 2) the creation of "tradition" in modern times, and 3) rhetoric (the art of persuasion). How, for example, might someone criticize government policy when doing so explicitly was prohibited by the state and vigorously enforce by its police?

HIST 172, 174, or 175 are listed as prerequisites for this course. Students without these courses may still take HIST 481 but will almost certainly have to work harder, especially in background reading. HIST 481 is mainly a traditional lecture-style course, but there will be times for class discussion, especially after viewing videos. Being an upper-division course, a high level of academic rigor is expected. The ability to handle abstract concepts and deal with multiple, overlapping cause and effect relationships is essential. Also, some of the material we deal with may be disturbing or unsettling. Perhaps most important is the time, energy, and will to study and attend class on a regular basis and to work on major projects well in advance of their due dates. Like many university courses, HIST 481 is designed not only to impart information, but also to question the "common sense" notions that typically inform our ways of thinking about past and present issues.

This section explains exams and grading in detail, and thus I will spend little time talking about these matters in class after the first day. It is important to understand the basis on which grades are assigned in this course. Grades are based on degree of mastery of the course content as measured by three exams. This is the only basis on which grades are assigned. It is important to know that personal circumstances (e.g., getting married/divorced, having two jobs, the "need" for a certain level of grade to graduate, etc.) are not factors that influence the assignment of grades. Note especially well that the need for a "C" or better in order for the course to count toward graduation in no way ensures that you will receive a "C" or better. There is no "extra credit." Class attendance is not a direct part of the grade, but regular attendance should be considered essential for learning the material and is expected.

The exams cover whatever we have done prior to the day of the exam and consist of short and long essay questions. The third exam is not a "final" exam in the official sense and is not comprehensive. In studying for the exams, emphasize class lectures, discussions of videos, and the Making Japanese textbook. The final grade is determined by averaging the scores for the exams. This final percentage is then converted to PSU's grading system as follows:

A = 92-100%

A- = 90-91%

B+ = 87-89%

B = 82-86%

B- = 80-81%

C+ = 77-79%

C = 68-76%

D = 50-67%

F = below 50%

The dates and times of the exams are listed above. Be sure to be here at those times because missed exams may not normally be made up. Oversleeping, being too tired or busy, weather, etc. are not excuses for missing an exam. So plan ahead. The only legitimate reason for missing an exam is severe illness on the exam day itself or a sudden emergency such as a traffic accident on your way to the exam. In the rare event that an exam conflicts with an official university function, you may arrange to take it early. Discuss this matter with the instructor at least one week in advance.

You are encouraged to examine and study previous exams from this course. They are available online at the Practice Exam Center. These practice exams were the real exams for the previous term(s) the course was offered. Putting some effort into studying them will give you a very good idea of what to expect on the exams you will take. Between the textbooks, classes, and practice exams, serious students are unlikely to encounter any major surprises on exam day.

Exams are given at the start of class on the scheduled day. They are intended to take about 50 minutes, but you will be able to use the entire period. Bring an examination book (commonly called a "blue book") with you on exam day, as well as both a pen and a pencil. Write both your name and student number on the multiple choice answer sheet. Do not write your name on the examination book. Instead, clearly write your student number on the front cover. Grading the exams usually requires two class days.

The typical class session takes the form of an illustrated lecture. Questions are encouraged at any time, with the only request being that if your question is not relevant to the matter at hand, please wait until after class to ask it--out of courtesy for everyone else. In the same spirit, please do not disturb others during class. Other than that, however, there are no rules for what to do or not do. Occasionally we will view particularly important videos and discuss them in class the next day. Because these videos will illustrate key themes of the course, they are worthy of serious attention and thought.

It is expected that you will keep up with the readings. These is no set schedule or required pace. We will start at chapter one and keep going until the course ends. Ideally, you will want to read a little ahead of class in Making Japanese.

If you require accommodation for a disability, you must first identify yourself as disabled to the appropriate university office (click here for details). This office will make a determination of your disability and accommodation(s) based on medical information. The instructor for this course will not (and cannot) make such determinations, but he will be happy to help you contact the appropriate people for assistance.

Basic fairness to all requires reasonable standards of academic honesty. For reference, the official policy of PSU regarding academic integrity is as follows:

49-20 Academic Integrity