Undergraduates:

Book Critiques..................40% [20% each]

Oral Presentation............. 20%

Final Project Paper............40%

Graduate Students:

Book Critiques.............30% [15% each]

Oral Presentation..........30%

Final Paper....................40%

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: For those who took this class last semester, please note that my grading criteria have changed. I no longer assign points for attendance. Good attendance may improve your grade if you are on the borderline, but explained absences will not lower it.

The majority of your grade is determined by your written work and your oral presentation.

Book Critiques: Both graduate students and undergraduate students are responsible for writing at least two book critiques. You may pick which two you wish to write about, but if you write the first two and are not happy with your grades, you may write the third; I will average your grade from the highest 2 grades you have received. Book critiques are due on the following dates and will not be accepted later without an adequate excuse:

The Japanese Way of Tea: Due Jan. 28

They Came to Japan: Due Feb. 18

Tales of Tears and Laughter: Due Mar. 11

Personal Project: Both graduate students and undergraduates are responsible for developing and researching a personal project which will be presented in both written and oral form. The choice of topic is up to you, but it must fall within the parameters of the era covered in this class.

Undergraduates are expected to write an 8-10 page paper on this topic and to present a rough draft in oral form to the class on the date assigned. Class members are expected to offer suggestions at that time. Undergraduate oral presentations must not exceed 15 minutes.

Graduate Students are expected to write a 15-20 page paper on this topic and present a rough draft to the class in oral form on the date assigned. Class members are expected to offer suggestions at that time. Graduate presentations should be no less than 30 minutes. More time will be accorded you if that is possible.

LECTURE AND READING SCHEDULE

Jan. 5: Introduction

Ashikaga Japan

Read: Hane, Chap. 5, The Japanese Way of Tea.

Jan. 7: The Lord of Treachery

Jan. 12: Art and Culture under the Ashikaga Shoguns

Jan. 14: China and the Kings of Japan

Jan. 19: Images of Ashikaga Japan

The Warring States

Read: Hane, Chap. 6, They Came to Japan.

Jan. 21: The Onin War

Jan. 26: Warlord Japan [first book critique due]

Jan. 28: The Rise of the Castle Towns

Feb. 2: Three Men and a Nightingale

Feb. 4: The Japanese Discovery of Europe [second book critique due]

Feb. 9-11: Movie: Kagemusha

Tokugawa Japan

Read: Hane, Chap. 7, Tales of Tears and Laughter.

Feb. 16: The Martyrs of Nagasaki [second book critique due]

Feb. 18: The Tokugawa Bakufu

Feb. 23: Genroku

Feb. 25: Presentations

Mar. 2: Presentations

Mar. 4: Presentations

Mar. 9: Presentations

Mar.11: NO CLASS [third book critique due]