HIST301

[WesMaps Home Page] [Course Search] [Course Search by CID]

HIST301

The Family in Japanese History HIST301 FA

Crosslistings: EAST300

Next Offered in 9900 FA

This course will examine the social construction of the family and contingent topics, including marriage, reproduction and the changing social positions and roles of women and men. It will begin with a look at some of the central theoretical issues concerning the history of the family, and then examine three separate periods: that up to 1200, with a focus on the court aristocracy; from 1200 to 1800, with a focus on the emergence of the modern family. Readings will include literary works, a broad range of secondary sources on Japan, as well as a number of theoretical and comparative works.

MAJOR READINGS

THE TALE OF GENJI (selections)
THE TALE OF THE HEIKE (selections)
Enchi Fumiko, THE WAITING YEARS
Robert J. Smith & Eleanor Wiswell, THE WOMEN OF SUYE MURA
John Embree, SUYE MURA
Ronald Dore, SHINOHATA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three 5-page papers, two drafts of a 15-20 page research paper and class attendance mandatory.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students with a background or interest in East Asian history, the history of the family in the West, or the sociology or anthropology of the family are encouraged to enroll; although there are no prerequisites, those who have no background in Japanese history will be encouraged to read a brief survey before the beginning of the course.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

About the Photo:

A wedding couple in the formal splendor of traditional Japanese dress after a Shinto ceremony at a local temple

Reference:

Rogers, Alisdair. PEOPLES AND CULTURES, New York: Oxford University Press, 1992

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions.