Approaches to History (393-0-20)

Topic

The World of Japan's Empire

Instructors

Laura E Hein
847/491-3408
Harris Hall - Room 325

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-430: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Japan was the only non-western country to build a modern empire in the 20th century--a project that turned out to be a disaster, with huge implications for Asia to this day. This is also the history of China, Taiwan, Mongolia, the Koreas, Southeast Asia, Sakhalin, and several of the Pacific Island nations. What was distinctive about this non-Western empire? What was not? What are the key legacies? How should we think about the real-world impact of empires in general?

Learning Objectives

** Students learn how to develop criteria to usefully compare and contrast large, complicated events. Students will learn to separate out these strands and articulate them clearly. ** Many of these issues remain politically powerful today. Students will develop language and concepts to talk -and listen-- about contentious historical events and how they are remembered in ways that both create space for a broad range of points-of-view and also close off inhumane ones.

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Distro Area
Attendance at 1st class mandatory