(NOTE: You can view and download all of the Electronic Readings from this list or as they occur below.
Likewise, you can download the current week's lecture outlines from here or as they occur below.
They are pdf files and require that your computer has Acrobat Reader installed.)

Unit 1: Approaching Modernity, 1800-1860s
Week 1 (9/4-9/6): Prelude to a History of Modern Japan

topics:

W. Intro: Approaches to the Modern in Japan
F. Order Out of Chaos

readings:

 Japan, chapter 1

task:

Download and printout all Electronic Readings.

Week 2 (9/9-13): The Settling & Unsettling of Tokugawa Japan

topics:

M. Internal Regulation: The Bakuhan System
W. Internal Threats to the Bakuhan System
F. External Threats to the Bakuhan System
MAP QUIZ

readings:

 Japan, chapters 2 & 3

task:

Study for Map Quiz (see on-line Maps)
Begin Engaging Vision 1: "Picturing the Other"

Week 3 (9/16-20): Patriots & Redeemers

topics:

M. Responses to Internal Threats
W. Responses to External Threats
F. Debate: "What to do about those barbarians?"

readings:


film:

M. Japan, 119-142
W. Electronic Reserve: "Coming of the American Fleet," "The Opening of Japan," "Collapse of the Bakufu," The Debate over Seclusion
Eijanaika! (Wed. 2:30-5:00 in Media Viewing Room, Morris Library)

task:

Prepare Tuesday's debate: "What to do about those barbarians?"

Unit II: Negotiating Modernity, 1870s-1930s
Week 4 (9/23-27): "Restoration" & "Enlightenment"

topics:

M. Plotting the Meiji Restoration
W. Shaping a Modern State
F. Bunmei kaika as Fashion Statement (slide show)

readings:

 M. Japan, 142-168; ER: "Establishment of the Meiji Government,"
W. Japan, 169-182; ER: "The Iwakura Mission to Western Countries,"
F. ER:Meiroku zasshi, "The Beefeater," and "The Western Peep Show"

task:

Define "civilization" acording to excerpts from Meiroku zasshi
Engaging Vision 1 "Picturing the Other" Due Friday

Week 5 (9/30-10/4): Nation & Spirit

topics:

M. The Nature of Nationalism
W. Constituting the Kokutai
F. The Bureaucratization of the Spirit(s)

readings:

MW. Japan, chapter 6
ER:"The Constitution of the Empire of Japan," "Critique on the Constitution," "Imperial Rescript on Education"

task:

Phase 1 of Historical Production Due Friday

Week 6 (10/7-11): Industrialization & Its Discontents

topics:

M. Enriching the Nation
W. Bleeding the People
F. The Meiji Dream/Nightmare

readings:

M. Japan, chapter 7; ER: "Meiji Entrepreneurs"
W. Japan, chapter 7; ER: Peasants, Rebels, & Outcastes

task:

Study for Midterm!

Week 7 (10/14-18): Modernization & Empire

topics:

M. Midterm
W. Japan in the World
F. Foundations of Imperialism

readings:

WF. Japan, chapter 9; ER: "On De-Asianization"

task:

nothing in particular

Week 8 (10/21-25): Testing & Contesting Democracy
topics:

M. Democracy in the Eye of the Beholder
W. Good Wives, Wise Mothers, and Riot Grrrrls
F. Debate: "Pitching Democracy"
readings:

M. Japan, chapter 10; ER: "Yoshino Sakuzo's Minpon Shugi," "Peace Preservation Law," Sôdômei's Declaration, Lamentations of Female Factory Workers
W. ER: "Reflections on the Way to the Gallows," "Kaneko Fumiko's Interrogation"
task:

Prepare for Friday's campaign: "Pitching Democracy"
Begin Engaging Visions 2: "Cultivating Shadows"

Week 9 (10/28-11/1): Center & Periphery

topics:

M. The Roaring 20s
W. The Snoring 20s
F. Discussion: The Real Japan?

readings:

M. Japan, chapter 11
W. Memories of Silk and Straw, first half
F. Memories of Silk and Straw, second half

task:

Prepare for "Will the Real Japan Please Stand Up?"

Week 10 (11/4-8): Culture Wars

topics:

M. Desperately Seeking the Folk
W. Born Again Japanese
F. Discussion: Shades of Culture, East & West

readings:

In Praise of Shadows, complete.

task:

Engaging Visions 2 "Cultivating Shadows" Due Friday

Unit III: Warring with Modernity, 1930s-1952
Week 11 (11/11-15): Colonialism & Conflict

topics:

M. Expanding the Empire
W. Domestic Turmoil and Terrorism
F. Pan-Asian Ideals and Atrocities (on own via Nanjing Atrocities website)

readings:


film:

M. Japan, chapters 12-13
W. ER: "Rise of Ultranationalism and the Pacific War"
F. ER: "Earth and Soldiers," "The China War"
Japanese Devils (if available; TBA)
Outside WebSite: Nanjing Atrocities

task:

Begin Engaging Visions 3: "Envisioning the Enemy"

Week 12 (11/18-22): Race & War

topics:

M. Video: Know Your Enemy--Japan
W. The Face of the Enemy
F. The Yellow Peril & The White Man's Burden

readings:

 M. Japan, chapter 14
W. War Without Mercy, Part I
F. War Without Mercy, Part II

task:

Phase 2 of Historical Production: Rough Cut Due Monday
Work on Final Cut of Historical Production

Week 13 (11/25-27): Made & Unmade in Japan

topics:

M. Pure 100% Yamato damashii
W. The Terror Bombing of Japan
F. Thanksgiving Break

readings:

 M. War Without Mercy, Part III
W. ER: "The Bombing of Japan"

task:

Engaging Visions 3 "Envisioning the Enemy" Due on Monday

Week 14 (12/2-6): Defeat & Occupation

topics:

M. War Experience & Memory
W. In an American Lake
F. Video: Reinventing Japan

readings:

 M. Japan, chapter 15; Handout: Imperial Rescript on End of War

task:

Work on Final Cut of Historical Production

Week 15 (12/9-11): Assessing Japan's Modernity

topics:

M. Course Evaluation and review
W. Keywords and Document Commentary (to be done in class on Wed.)
Historical Production Final Cut Due in class on Wednesday

readings:

 Your notes from the semester

task:

Historical Production Final Cut Due Wednesday (no exceptions!)
Take-home essay handed out on last day and due via email attachment by High Noon Dec. 18