Syllabus Number 32
Course
Name
The Politics of History in East Asia
Semester, Year
First Semester, 2017
Course level
3000
Instructor(s)
(Institution)
Philip SEATON (大学院メディア・コミュニケーション研究院)
Number of Credits
2 credits
Course Number
027033
Course
Objectives
This course introduces students to six aspects of the so-called “history issue” in East Asia, namely the legacies of
Japanese imperialism and war in the twentieth century. Students will discuss six key issues in two-week blocks. In
the first week, a lecture and assigned readings give students the background knowledge they need. In the second
week, students debate “for” or “against” a motion according to a give role.
Course Goals
To learn about some of the key political issues relating to “history” in East Asia.
To practice debating skills and making arguments from an assigned position (not necessarily the personal views of
the student). This develops critical thinking skills for social scientists.
Course
Schedule
Week 1: Course Introduction: The “History Issue” in East Asia.
Week 2: Japan’s Modern Wars. An historical overview, 1868-1941.
Week 3: Debate 1, “Japan had no choice but to go to war in 1941”
Week 4: War Memory and Responsibility: Japan’s responses to World War II
Week 5: Debate 2, “Japan has not paid enough compensation for its actions in World War II”
Week 6: The Yasukuni Shrine Issue and Remembering the War Dead
Week 7: Debate 3, “The Japanese Prime Minister should worship at Yasukuni Shrine on 15 August every year”
Week 8: Reading Week
Week 9: The Pacific War and the Occupation of Japan, 1941-52
Week 10: Debate 4, “The A-bombs did not force Japan to surrender”
Week 11: “History” in post-war relations in East Asia
Week 12: Debate 5, “The Senkaku Islands, Takeshima and the Northern Territories are Japanese territory”
Week 13: The US-Japan Alliance and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces
Week 14: Debate 6, “Japan will be safer without any American military bases on its territory”
Week 15: Conclusions and submission of term papers
Homework
Reading the materials assigned in preparation for the debates. Writing a 1000 word term paper about one of the
six topics covered.
Grading
System
Students are assessed on attendance and classroom participation (50%) and the term paper (50%)
Textbooks /
Reading List
Websites
Readings are available from the teacher’s (website www.philipseaton.net)
www.philipseaton.net
Website of
Laboratory
Additional
Information
This course requires advanced spoken English. Students will all be expected to take part actively in debates on
complex, abstract issues.