China and Japan Since 1600: Samurai, Revolutionaries, Entrepreneurs

Catalog description

Follows the political, cultural, and social histories of China and Japan from the seventeenth century to the present. The course concentrates on the interaction of China and Japan as well as on their respective roles in international exchanges and conflicts. The class will focus on the impact of traditions such as Confucianism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Christianity on society and institutions, on organized violence (e.g. warfare, uprisings, and samurai ideology) and on gender relations. Students will learn how to approach historical, literary, and artistic evidence and develop a critical perspective on cross-cultural issues.