The University of Akron


World Civilizations: Japan
 

Spring 2003/


Dr. Earl Motz
Office Arts and Science Building 201A
motze@uakron.edu

http://gozips.uakron.edu/~motze

Campus Phone: 972-7006(Leave Message)
Office Hours: 11:15 a.m. to Noon. Students will also be able to meet with me by appointment

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this course are (1) to become familiar with Japan's history and cultural traditions, (2) to examine both the unique and the universal in the Japanese experience, and (3) to develop an understanding of Japan's aspirations and role in the modern world.  These objectives reflect the content of the course and are meant to give substance to a final goal (4) to assist students in developing the analytical skills that will enable them to effectively communicate their knowledge of Japanese civilization both orally and in writing.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Reischauer, Edwin O. The Japanese Today: Change and Continuity, Enlarged Edition: Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1995.
Duus, Peter Feudalism in Japan, New York: McGraw Hill Inc., 1993.

GRADING AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The following grade scale will be used: A= 93-100%, A- =90-92%, B+ =87-89%, B= 83-86%, B- =80-82%, C+ =77-79%, C=73-76%, C- =70-72%, D+ =67-69%, D=63-66%,  D- =60-62%, F= below 60%.  Grades for the course will be computed as follows: Midterm Exam= 30% of total grade, Attendance and Discussion = 10% of total grade, Quizzes and In-class Essays = 20% of total grade, Paper on Feudalism = 10% of total grade, and Final Exam = 30% of total grade.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Students are expected to attend all classes and to arrive on time.  If you incur three (3) or more unexcused absences and/or frequently arrive late, the final grade will automatically be lowered one letter or, you will be dropped from the class. Class participation does not mean attendance.  It means not only asking questions and being prepared for class discussion, but also sharing information gained from other sources such as newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, television, and surfing the Internet..

PLAGIARISM AND/OR CHEATING ON EXAMS, ETC.
Such misconduct will be reported to the head of the department and vigorously prosecuted.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 1 Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.1-3, pp.3-36.                                                                                                                  Lecture and Discussion: Geography, and The Emergence of Japanese Civilization.                                                                                       Week 2Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapt. 4, pp.41-51, and Duus Chapt. 2,. pp.13-33.                                                                     Lecture and Discussion : Borrowing from China, The Introduction of Buddhism, The Nara and Heian Periods.                                            Week 3Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapt. 5, pp. 52-63, and Duus Chapt. 1, pp. 1-12, and Chapts. 3-4, pp. 34-72.                           Lecture and Discussion: Introduction of Feudalism, The Emergence of the Warrior Class, The Kamakura Bakufu, The Estate System, and The Ashikaga Shogunate.                                                                                                                                                                                Week 4Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapt. 6, pp.64-77, and Duus Chapt. 5, pp. 73-98.                                                                      Lecture and Discussion: The Age of Reunification, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.  The Period of Isolation    PAPER ON FEUDALISM IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY                                                                                                                     Week 5Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.7-8, pp.78-94, and Duus Epilogue, pp.99-102.                                                                  Lecture and Discussion: The Meiji Restoration and the Constitutional System,  Matthew Perry and the Opening of Japan                             Week 6Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapt. 9, pp.95-102.                                                                                                                   Lecture and Discussion: The Rise of the Militarists, Imperialism and the Road to War, World War II                                                          Week 7Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts. 10-11, pp. 1103-120.                                                                                                      Lecture and Discussion: The American Occupation Reforms, and The Post Occupation Period.                                             ******WEDNESDAY -- MIDTERM EXAM****** The exam covers all reading assignments of Week 1 through Week 7 and class notes.                                                                                                                                                                                             Week 8 Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.12-16, pp.125-174.                                                                                                        Lecture and Discussion: The Group, Relativism, Hierarchy, and The Individual.                                                                                          Week 9Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts. 17-20, pp. 175-227.                                                                                                         Lecture and Discussion: Women, Education, Religion, and Mass Culture.                                                                                                   Week 10Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.21-25, pp. 231-265.                                                                                                       Lecture and Discussion: The Political Heritage, The Emperor, The Diet, and Elections.                                                                               Week 11Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.26-29, pp.266-291.                                                                                                       Lecture and Discussion: Political Parties, Decision Making, Contemporary Issues, and Political Style                                                          Week 12Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts. 30-34, pp. 295-342.                                                                                                     Lecture and Discussion: The Economy, The Employment System, and Business Organization.                                                                    Week 13Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapts.35-39. pp. 347-412.                                                                                                      Lecture and Discussion: Trade and Economic Dependence, Language, and Internationalism.                                                                      Week 14Assignment: Read Reischauer Chapt. 40, pp.413-441.                                                                                                              Lecture and Discussion: Japan Today and Tomorrow.                                                                                                                               Week 15Reflection, Review, and Preparation for Final Exam.

******MONDAY  THROUGH SATURDAY -- FINAL EXAM WEEK******