This course will offer an introduction to the foundations of Japanese politics, with a special focus on the theme of state-society relations in contemporary Japan. The course will begin by analyzing the power structures and institutions that have underpinned the political world in Japan from the post-World War II era through to the present day. It will proceed to examine the workings of the Japanese government through contemporary issues pertaining to domestic and foreign policy and the role of civil society therein. Lectures and tutorials will feature topics such as relocation of the military base in Okinawa, the Fukushima disaster and nuclear energy, constitutional revision, and the “comfort women” issue.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
This course aims to equip students with a survey knowledge of Japanese political history in the contemporary era. A second aim is to familiarise students with the scholarly debates that have arisen concerning the study of Japanese politics. A third objective is to encourage students to hone academic skills such as critical thinking and reading, and clear academic writing and analysis.
Other Information
Academic ContactLauren Richardson: lauren.richardson@anu.edu.au
This is a co-taught course. Any cap on enrolments in one course applies to both courses combined.
Indicative Assessment
Tutorial attendance and participation
(10%), tutorial presentation (15%), tutorial essay 1000 words (15%), Issues
paper 2000 words (20%), Research essay 4,000 words (40%) Graduate students
attend classes with undergraduates but may expect more rigorous assessment.
Graduate students will not be required to sit a final exam.
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
32 contact hours per semester
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Culture History and Language to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
John Dower, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II (W. W. Norton & Company/The New Press, 1999); Frank J. Schwartz & Susan J. Pharr, eds, The State of Civil Society in Japan (Cambridge University Press, 2003); Franziska Seraphim, War Memory and Social Politics in Japan, 1945-2005 (Harvard University Press, 2006); J.A.A. Stockwin, Governing Japan: Divided Politics in a Resurgent Economy (Blackwell, 2008)
Assumed Knowledge
This course assumes no prior knowledge of Japanese politics.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5460 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9462 | 22 Jul 2019 | 29 Jul 2019 | 31 Aug 2019 | 25 Oct 2019 | In Person | View |
