HIST 233Modern Japan

This survey course covers Japanese history from the 1800s to the present. During these two hundred years, Japan went from a closed feudal society through a rollercoaster of events: the arrival of the American "Black Ships," the Meiji Restoration, industrial revolution, fascism, wars, atomic bombs, an economic miracle, a "lost" decade, and recently, a devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster. We will examine books, films, manga, and news materials to embark on our own search for modern Japan. Learning activities may include a historical paper, short answer/essay exam(s), and a debate project based on team research.