Topic Studies ‡U

Course Description:
The objective of this course is to provide you with an insight into Japanese modern history, which we examine from the view point of the Pacific War. Attention is paid to how Japan made aggressive advances toward its Asian neighbors, started war against the US and European Powers and how militarism deprived its people of freedom of speech. This class will be conducted through your answering comprehension questions, and giving your interpretations and comments on what you read in the textbook.

Requirements:

1. Textbooks:
• Saburo Ienaga. The Pacific War. Pantheon Books, New York.
2. Attendance:
   Regular attendance is required. Don't take advantage of the allowable absences: They are for serious illness or emergency only. Active participation in class (contribution to discussions, asking and answering of questions and formulation of opinions) is required.
3. Summary:
   Two of you will be expected to give a summary of the previous lecture at the beginning of each class.
   
4. Paper Work:
   To pass the course you are required to submit a 5-page reseach paper dealing with a theme related to the subject.
• Your paper must be typewritten on A-4 paper, double spaced and in APA style.
• Two copies should be made of the final version: one for the teacher's permanent files and the other to be returned to you.
  Make sure you turn them in along with the corrected first draft.
• Submitting the first draft and the final version together on the final due date will not be accepted.
5. Presentation:
   You are expected to make a 2-minute presentation of your research work in the last class.
   
6. Final Quiz:
   You do not have to memorize the exact dates and years when the related events occurred. Be aware of causes and effects in historical facts and how the leaders, groups or countries concerned acted in a series of events. Be well prepared!
7. Grading:

Class work (attendance, class participation, quizzes, assignment, presentation)	30%
Research Paper Work (first draft with outline: 15% / final version: 25%)	40%
Quiz:	30%

Late papers will be penalized 5%.
8. Links

The following links give some background on Japanese history:


• Report describing the effects of the atomic bombs dropped on the two Japanese cities. From the Avalon Project at Yale Law School.
• Advanced Japanese Destroyers of World War II - examines the Fubuki and their successors.
• Association for the Advancement of Liberalist View of History
• History-Militarism and WW2(1912-1945)
• Pearl Harbor:Remembered
• East & South east Asia. An annotated directory of Internet resources
• Yahoo Directory - History > Japan > Complete List
• Selected Internet Resources on Japan -- History
• WWW Sites for Japanese History
• 20th Century Japan