Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Introductory study of Japan: geographical setting, historical background, cultural heritage, social and political systems, and economic development and importance.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and WebCT, a computer conferencing program. WebCT requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
none
Instructor
Taifa Yu, Associate Professor
Evaluation
12 assignments, 4 exams
Course overview
The course is designed to acquaint students with major Japanese cultural traits and its modern history that begins with the Meiji revolution resulting in the creation of a modern Japanese state and that ends in the downfall of the Liberal Democratic Party and other political changes in recent years. Enjoy the course!
This course, Non-Western Cultures: Modern Japan, satisfies the non-Western requirement in the Liberal Arts core. It seeks to introduce several aspects of Japanese cultures—group consciousness, gender roles, customs, and other cultural traits—to students and to familiarize them with contemporary Japanese history that began in 1600. Japan’s impressive economic development, which is envied and emulated by many developing countries, is often attributed to its cultural tradition and its national character. True or not, this view highlights the importance to understand Japanese culture and its finer points, with the goal to compare and contrast cultural differences, to enhance awareness of cultural diversity, and to promote better cross-cultural understanding. During the period between 1600 and the present, several epoch-making events have taken place: the transformation of Japan’s feudal society into a modern state (1868-1912); imperialism that culminated in the drop of two atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in its defeat, and in the discredit of the military; rapid and swift economic recovery during the post-war years and its emergence as the world’s second largest economy; and the end of the hegemonic role of the Liberal Democratic party that retained power for over 50 years. We need to pay attention to the forces that shape Japan’s history at each critical moment of transition.
Written assignments
For each unit, there is a written assignment. Students should limit each answer to two pages.
Each written assignment is worth 5 percent of your grade; together all twelve assignments account for 60 percent of your final grade.
Examinations
Each exam will cover three assignment units and have 25 multiple choice questions. Altogether there are four examinations, which account for 40 percent of your final grade. That is, each examination accounts for 10 percent of the grade.
Grading
Each exam will cover three assignment units and have 25 multiple choice questions. Altogether there are four examinations, which account for 40 percent of your final grade. That is, each examination accounts for 10 percent of the grade.
Textbook(s)
Davies, R. & Ikeno. O. Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture. Boston: Tuttle Publishing Company, 2002.
Gordon, A. A Modern History of Japan: from Tokugawa Times to the Present. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
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Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
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Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
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For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu