IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

From the middle of the nineteenth century, more and more Japanese people traveled abroad hoping to learn new knowledge from foreign countries. On the other hand, some people came to Japan from Europe, North America, and Asia with various purposes, such as business, diplomacy, evangelism, and education. Why and how did these people decide to travel from/to Japan? What did they learn from foreign cultures? What did they bring back to their home countries? This course offers students an opportunity to discuss these questions and explore the struggles and achievements of pioneering historical figures who crossed the borders and received rich experiences in foreign countries.

Students will be familiarized with the nature and methods of history.
Students will gain basic knowledge on modern and contemporary Japanese history from a global perspective.
Students will develop their skills for reading, presenting, and writing through historical documents.

英語 / English

Based on the assigned readings and the instructor's lectures, students will discuss various topics on modern and contemporary Japanese history from a global perspective.

Students are expected to read the assigned materials before a class and to actively contribute to the class discussion. Students are also expected to give one presentation and to write one essay on a historical figure whom students choose.

All the assigned documents are written in English, and discussion, presentation, and writing are conducted in English. Knowledge of Japanese history and the Japanese language will be helpful, but it is not required.

あり / Yes

なし / No

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1：Introduction

Course overview

2：Overview

Lecture on Japanese history from a global perspective

3：Overseas Students 1:

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

4：Overseas Students 2

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

5：Educators 1

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

6：Educators 2

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

7：Film screening

Film screening on a relevant topic

8：Businessmen 1

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

9：Businessmen 2

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

10：Evangelists 1

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

11：Evangelists 2

Reading and discussion of the topic; short student presentations

12：Student Presentations 1

Presentations about a historical figure whom students choose for the final essay

13：Student Presentations 2

Presentations about historical figures whom students choose for the final essay

14：Wrap-Up

Reflection on the class; advice for the final essay

University guidelines suggest preparation and review should be around two hours a week for a two-credit course.

The reading assignments will be made available online through the course management system.

The references will be made available online through the course management system.

Class participation 50%; Presentations 25%; Final essay 25%

Class participation:
Students are expected to read the assigned materials and contribute to class discussions. Simply showing up for class is not enough. Students may miss class only if it qualifies as an excused absence (e.g., illness or grievance). Please clear your absences with the instructor beforehand. Three or more unexcused absences can result in failure.

Presentations:
Students are expected to give two presentations; one is about the assigned readings, and the other is about a historical figure whom students choose for the final essay.

Final essay:
Using the assigned readings as a starting point, students are expected to prepare a 5 to 10-page paper on a historical figure whom students choose.

N/A