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The History of Japan to 1800
HIST225 SP

Crosslistings: EAST225

Common images of premodern Japan include those of heroic but brutal samurai, beautiful but oppressed geisha, elegant gardens, the tea ceremony, and enlightened Zen monks. Others see in premodern Japan the roots of present-day Japan's economic strength. While all of these images have some degree of accuracy, to understand them we must place them in the context of the times in which they emerged. This survey course examines the political, economic, social, religious, and cultural development of premodern Japan, with an emphasis on the reading of primary as well as secondary sources. It is both lecture and discussion, and students are expected to be ready to discuss each day's readings in class.

MAJOR READINGS

Texts: THE PILLOW BOOK OF SEI SHONAGON Other works to be announced. Various articles in photocopy.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Map quiz, Midterm, Final, three short papers (three pages).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

TS: Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000


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