Web Syllabus(講義概要)

　The broad topic of this class will be “A History of Japan: Japan and the World”. During this semester, we will talk about the history of Japan from Antiquity till 1905. This class will be intended for students who have no prior knowledge of Japanese history. We will try to help the foreign students to understand the historical background of today’s Japanese society.
　Every week, after having read together a passage of a book, we will talk about the main historical facts of the weekly topic. The students will be advised to follow this class during the second semester as well. The second semester’s class will be about the history of Japan during the twentieth century.

　①Grasping the flow of Japanese history through the basic knowledge of the main historical facts.
　②Understanding Japanese history as a dynamic process through the study of the relations between Japan and the world.
　③Being able to understand the influence of the past on today’s Japanese society.

　Participation 40％, final paper: 60％

　The following books will be used during the class:
　　Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, W. W. Norton & Company, 1999.
　　Brett L. Walker, A Concise History of Japan, Cambridge University Press, 2015
　　R. H. P. Mason, J. G. Caiger, A History of Japan, Tuttle Publishing, 1997.
　　Marius B. Jansen, The Making of Modern Japan, Belknap Press, 2002.

　The passage used the class will have to be read by the students before attending the class. The students will also have to know the basic dates and facts concerning the weekly topic by reading one of the books prescribed, or any other valuable support. Studying in the library will be strongly recommended.

　The past being linked to the present, it is necessary for the students to be aware of the main news in Japan, Asia, and the world. Then, reading the newspaper of any other valuable information media will be recommended. The students are encouraged to take “Japanese History II” during the fall semester.