Japan Readings

These are ideas for readings to get each of you started.  We will add to these as the semester progresses.  If you have an idea for something that you would like to read that is fine you just have to have it approved by the instructor in case there are better choices on the subject you are interested in.

 

Each student will hand in a maximum one page outline each week about what they read for the week.  The outline should touch upon the following ideas

  • Main theme/ideas
  • Key learning points—what do you want others to know?
  • Questions for discussion
  • Questions you have about the reading
  • Credentials/authority of the author(s)

Students need to bring six copies or get them to me before class to make copies for the others in the group.

 

Each student will also be writing two critical reviews during the semester.  Students may chose which readings they wish to write on.  Reviews should be 4-5 pages, typed.  The review is not to be a book report but a critical analysis of what is being said.  The review should address the following issues/questions

  • Credentials/authority of author(s)
  • Main Thesis
  • Supporting evidence used or lacking
  • Biases shown by author(s)
  • Types of research used to write the manuscript
  • Critical analysis of the argument/thesis
  • How this book may or may relate to others being read and discussed in class

Due dates for the reviews will be the 7th week and the 14th week of the semester.  The date will depend on whether you are in the Monday or Thursday class.  Remember that all reviews need to be properly cited with either footnotes or endnotes.

Be sure to bring one extra copy of your review which will be handed out to another student in the class to look over by the following week.  You also need to bring the book or article to pass on to the other student. 

 

Manny Rey—Foreign policy after 1950; Economic issues; Tokugawa period

 

Patrick Burkhardt—Kabuki/No theater; food culture; 20th century social history; Make-up of the islands—geography etc

 

Erin Morris—Shogun; Role of the Emperor

 

Michael Roberto—baseball; business practices and work ethic; gender roles

 

Suzanne Harkness—19th-20th century geo-political concerns; opening of Japan to West; Japanese Americans and assimiliation

 

Katie Craig—Military, mainly 20th century; Education issues

 

Dustin Horne—15-16th century history; Castle building

 

Mandy Altimus—Samurai roles and influence

 

Caroline Mbobi—social and cultural history particularly in the 1700s

 

Jessica Bloom—Kabuki theater; 20th century social history

 

Katie Sheets—20th century political history; Russo-Japanese War; Military

 

Joe Schott—Film anime and video related to identity issues; representations of Japanese in film

 

Zach Croft—Early Japanese History, Foreign Relations before 1600