In the 21st century, Japan is widely regarded as a peacefully- inclined, democratic member of the Western alliance. It is one of the world’s largest aid donors, it contributes to UN peacekeeping operations, and champions humanitarian causes. And yet, more than 60 years after World War II, Japan continues to be adversely affected by that conflict. Japan’s regional diplomacy, its defence, security and peacekeeping policies and its effectiveness as a multilateral player are all constrained by the war, by memory and by ongoing domestic political ambivalence concerning Japan’s role and responsibility in that conflict.
What is the nature and substance of the historical factors that so restrict Japan’s existence as a contemporary world power? This course seeks to elaborate the debates and deep angst that attaches to the articulation of a postwar national identity for Japan, one that is projected outwards as an integral part of its international presence. The course will examine postwar Japan in relevant thematic contexts (such as collective responsibility, victim consciousness, war guilt, compensation, memory, patriotism etc), with a view to contextualizing Japan’s experience in the company of other nations in the postwar era. The course is particularly focussed on conveying the importance of the retrospective political management of war memory for Japan’s contemporary relations with Northeast Asian nations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
* An appreciation of the nature and substance of the historical
factors that so restrict Japan’s existence as a contemporary world
power
* An understanding of the importance of the retrospective political
management of war memory for Japan’s contemporary relations with
Northeast Asian nations
* An appreciation of how these historical factors play out in
particular thematic contexts such as collective responsibility,
victim consciouisness, war guilt and compensation.
Indicative Assessment
1. Short paper; equals 15% of total grade
2. Long essay; equals 30% of total grade
3. Seminar Presentation (based on long essay); equals 15%of total grade
4. Written examination; equals 30% of total grade
5. Attendance and participation; equals 10% of total grade
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The course requires two contact hours each week and from six to ten hours a week outside the contact hours.
Prescribed Texts
TEXTBOOKS:
1. Sheila Miyoshi Jager and Rana Mitter eds., Ruptured Histories: War, Memory, and the Post-Cold War in Asia. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2007.
2. Franziska Seraphim, War Memory and Social Politics in Japan, 1945 – 2005. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2006.
PRELIMINARY READINGS:
1. Franziska Seraphim, "Relocating war memory at century's end", in Jager and Mitter eds., Ruptured Histories: War, memory and the post-Cold War in Asia. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2007, pp 15-46.
2. Karl Jaspers, The Question of German Guilt. New York: Fordham University Press, 2000 {1947}. E.B. Ashton trans., pp 21 – 44.
3. Maruyama Masao, Thought and Behaviour in Modern Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1969{1946}. See "Theory and psychology of ultranationalism", pp 1-24
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2958 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4350 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
