The .pdf version of the syllabus is here.

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to various aspects of contemporary Japan, such as its political economy, modern history, society and politics.  The perspective of the course is drawn from the social sciences, not the humanities. Students should come away with a comprehensive overview or survey of a wide variety of aspects of contemporary Japan and an understanding of how these aspects interrelate.

Course Goals

This course is designed to equip you to understand contemporary Japan. I have designed it as essential preparation prior to study in Japan. However, it will serve equally as an introduction for students who have no intention of going to Japan, but want to learn about the country, its politics, and its society. It is an excellent first course on Japan, because its broad exposure to contemporary Japan gives a solid background for advanced study. The course is also a good course to take for students who will only take one course on Japan, again because it is a broad survey of many aspects of contemporary Japan.

Required texts are:

1.      Pyle, Kenneth P. The Making of Modern Japan. 1996, 2^nd Edition. DC: Heath. ISBN 0669200204.

2.      Pekkanen, Saadia. Picking Winners? From Technology Catch-up to the Space Race in Japan. 2003. Stanford. ISBN: 0804747326.

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