This course traces the history of Japan from the 17th century to the present, examining the dynamics of the early modern period (Tokugawa era), the Meiji revolution, the political, social and economic transformations of the early 20th century, the tumultuous 1930s and 1940s, and the dynamics of the post-1945 era.  Thematic issues to be covered include nation- and empire-building, state-society relations, total war and defeat, the Allied Occupation, Japan in the Cold War, socio-economic and demographic change, intellectual developments, and Japan’s international relations. A key emphasis of the course will be to understand and to position Japan in wider regional and global processes. The course will focus closely on the approaches historians have employed in studying Japan’s modern history.  In other words, what social and political theories have historians deployed and why? How have these approaches changed and/or enriched our understanding of modern Japan? The course will pay close attention to some of the ongoing controversies and debates in the historiography of modern Japan.  Students will be expected to think critically about both the history of Japan and the approaches historians have adopted. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain the key processes, transformations, and themes in Japan's modern history.
2. write sophisticated reviews of recent scholarly research on modern Japanese history.
3. identify, analyze, and utilize primary source materials for advanced research projects.
4. formulate original research questions and conduct broad and intensive research based on historical methods.
5. produce a substantial postgraduate research essay based on an issue in the field of modern Japanese history.

Required Resources

All readings will be made available on the course Wattle site

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Edo-Tokugawa
2	Edo-Tokugawa (continued)
3	The Meiji Restoration
4	Meiji Politics
5	Imperial Democracy
6	Economy & Society 1889-1932
7	Empire and War
8	Defeat and Occupation
9	The 1955 System
10	Economic Recovery and Growth
11	Society and Contention in Postwar Japan
12	The Bubble & Heisei Japan

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Short Historical Essay	20 %	19/03/2024	02/04/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Historical Literature Review I	20 %	23/04/2024	07/05/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Historical Literature Review II	20 %	27/05/2024	27/06/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Postgraduate Research Paper	40 %	31/05/2024	27/06/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Short Historical Essay

Students will write a short essay utilizing the provided primary and secondary materials. The essay will test students' ability to produce a concise and convincing historical argument after analyzing, critiquing, and synthesizing the scholarly literature and primary sources. Students can write in either English or Japanese. 

Length: 1200 words in English or 2400 characters in Japanese (not including references) [(+/- 10%)]

Assessment Task 2

Historical Literature Review I

Students will write a concise analytical review of either a recent book or selection of recent scholarly journal articles on one of the topics covered in the first six weeks of the course. The review will follow the format of critical book reviews in scholarly journals in the field of Japanese studies/history. Students can write in either English or Japanese. Students should contact the lecturer to discuss their chosen book / articles before proceeding. The book / articles chosen may be connected to the postgraduate research paper. Length: 1200 words in English or 2400 characters in Japanese (not including references) [(+/- 10%)]

Assessment Task 3

Historical Literature Review II

Students will write a concise analytical review of either a recent book or selection of recent scholarly journal articles on one of the topics covered in the second six weeks of the course. The review will follow the format of critical book reviews in scholarly journals in the field of Japanese studies/history. Students can write in either English or Japanese. Students should contact the lecturer to discuss their chosen book / articles before proceeding. The book / articles chosen may be connected to the postgraduate research paper. Length: 1200 words in English or 2400 characters in Japanese (not including references) [(+/- 10%)]

Assessment Task 4

Postgraduate Research Paper

Students will research and write a sophisticated and comprehensive analysis of an issue in modern Japanese history. Students will be expected to access a diverse range of scholarly materials beyond the course readings, inclusive of the most recent publications on the issue. If relevant, students may also supplement scholarly works with materials such as newspapers, magazines, government reports, etc. Students will be graded based on their ability to produce a clear, convincing, comprehensive, and structurally-coherent historical argument appropriate for postgraduate-level studies. Length: 2400 words in English or 4800 characters in Japanese (not including references) [(+/- 10%)]

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per day (including weekends) or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 days (including weekends) after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students