Course Description

This course examines the politics of China, Japan, and the Koreas by looking at the relationship between state and society in these countries. Why? Besides the obvious advantages in overcoming ethnocentric and limited horizons, it is clear that East Asia has become a key area of world trade and political events. Moreover, the economies of these countries have grown more quickly than any other country in history. In 1945 Japan lay in ruins, defeated in a major war. Today it a major industrial power and it has one the important economies on the face of the earth. Today, China is number one in the world in terms of growth of foreign investment and has one of the world's largest economies. East Asia is also a place where cultural traditions and modernity are still contested. Clearly the United States now exists in a world that increasingly reflects the importance and role of Asian nations. Then, ponder this, each of these Asian nations have accomplished amazing economic growth, yet each has done so with governments and ideologies that are distinctly different from each other as well as the United States. Indeed, their growth was achieved by ignoring many of our basic assumptions and beliefs about politics and markets. In each case in East Asia the state has actively, consciously intervened in economics and a new culture has resulted. Are Americans able to understand all of this? Are you?

Specifically in this course, each of the countries we will study has undergone a harrowing socio-economic transformation from an agrarian to an industrializing nation. However, each of these countries have adopted very different state structures and societies in achieving their goals. We will look at the rise of the state in each nation and the subsequent roles they have played in industrialization. Some the question we will take up are: How do societies react to the rise of industry, to new forms of work? To the demands peculiar to modern industry? How are traditional societies and culture changed? What happens to traditional identities when a people and country adopt modern culture? What are the affects of global timing upon the state and people?

After taking this course you should gain a better understanding of the political and economic problems and challenges facing East Asian nations today. Along with this will better appreciate the processes of political, social and cultural change during industrialization. You should also gain an awareness of how and why many Americans often fail to fathom full the East Asian economies. Perhaps most importantly, we will view the process of Orientalism and how it affects your views of East Asia. From all of this you should be able to better assess the possible future for these countries in terms of politics, economics, and perhaps even their relations with the United States.

RESEARCH PAPERS: You will have the challenge and joy of completing three short papers and tackling a final examination for this course. The papers will each count as one-fifth (1/5) of your final course grade, be 6 to 8 pages in length, double spaced, resplendent with citations, based upon topics to be handed out in class, and, of course, stunningly brilliant. Each paper will be worth a maximum of 4 points. The dates for the papers are listed below in the class schedule. Keep in mind that late papers may expect to see their grades whacked severely. And, of course, the use of proper style, grammar and citations are sure to please your prof.

FINAL EXAM: The final examination will also count as one-fifth (1/5) of your final course grade and be comprehensive as well as entertaining. The final exam will have two parts. The first part will be a long essay question. The long essay will be worth at total of 4 points. The second part will consist of several short essay questions. The total points allowed for the short essay section is also 4 points. I will arrive at our final exam grade by averaging the scores from the long and short essays.

BOOK/MOVIE REVIEW PAPERS: This part of your grade will depend upon a pair of short (3-4 pages) papers and is optional. One paper will be a book review, the other will be a movie review.  I will be providing you with a list of books and movies, and you are to read, or watch, one from each list and write a paper on it. These papers are due anytime before the final week of classes. You may, if you wish, do the book/movie paper option IN PLACE of ONE research paper. If you select this generous offer, then you must contact me BEFORE doing the papers.

PARTICIPATION: This will count as the final one-fifth (1/5) of your class grade. Basically, the more you contribute (in terms of both quality and quantity) in our class discussions and group activities the more points you may hope to receive. And, as an added bonus, you will be provided with the opportunity to take a number of fascinating quizzes through out the term. Life is indeed good sometimes!

Your final course grade will be calculated by averaging your 3 papers scores, participation, and the final exam score, . That is, I will add your paper scores, participation grade and your final exam score. Then I will divide the total by 5. Still not sure how to calculate that pesky course grade? Then click here!

The grading scale for this course is commonly referred to as the "4.0" (four oh) scale. To decipher your paper, exam and course grades simply refer to the table below: