Japanese History 3600-7-JA1-HJ2
This course offers an overview of Japan’s political history, examining the cultural foundations of political authority, the formation and decline of governing systems, and their influence on the development of the Japanese state. The timeline spans from the earliest historical periods to the present.
The summer-semester lectures focus on Japan’s modern history (mid-19th century to the present), including the Meiji (1868–1912), Taishō (1912–1926), Shōwa (1926–1989), Heisei (1989–2019), and Reiwa (2019– ) eras. Key topics include the factors behind the 1868 restoration of imperial rule, Japan’s accelerated modernization, and the establishment of a modern constitutional monarchy. The course also discusses the characteristics of Taishō democracy, the rise of Japanese nationalism, as well as Japan’s wars and colonial expansion.
Further lectures explore Japan’s postwar history, including the circumstances of surrender, the American occupation reforms, the implications of the San Francisco treaties, and subsequent efforts to revise the postwar settlement, including Japan’s normalization of relations with the Eastern Bloc. Additional topics include Japan’s political system, foreign policy orientation, national defense and security, as well as the stages of postwar economic growth and social change.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
- has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects in history of Japan [K_W04];
- has detailed and organized knowledge of history of Japan [K_W06];
- has detailed and organized knowledge of socio-cultural issues in Japan within the scope of natural environment and ethnic, demographic and political situation [K_W09];
- can name and characterize basic cultural phenomena of Japan
[K_W10];
- has organized knowledge of natural, geopolitical and economic environment and their importance for the historical situation of Japan [K_W11];
- is aware of the linguistic variety in Japanese culture and its influence on the cultural and political situation of the world [K_W14]
- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of history [K_W18];
SKILLS
- can indicate sources of cultural differences between the countries of the Orient [K_U02];
- can use the knowledge of history of Japan to analyze and interpret events taking place in the modern world [K_U04];
- can appropriately place Japan in the context of circumstances pertinent to natural, geopolitical and economic environment [K_U05];
- can use the knowledge of socio-cultural issues of Japan in typical professional situations [K_U09];
- has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of cultural issues of Japan in Polish and other foreign language taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of Japan [K_U21].
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
- understands the need to learn all one’s life [K_K01];
- can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity [K_K04];
- has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world [K_K05];
- sees the need of dialogue between cultures [K_K06];
- is aware of significance the culture of Japan has for the culture of the world [K_K07];
- acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural heritage of Japan [K_K08];
- perceives the positive socio-cultural values of Japan and possibility to use them in own personal development and effective intercultural communication [K_K09];
Assessment criteria
result of the written exam (semester cycle)
Attendance control
Bibliography
The Cambridge History of Japan, pr. zbior. (1988-1999), t. I-VII
Gordon A., Nowożytna historia Japonii. Od czasów Tokugawów do współczesności (2010)
Hall J.W., Japonia (1979)
Japonia ery Shōwa (1926-1989). Kultura i realia społeczne, red. K. Starecka, (2019)
Pałasz-Rutkowska E., Starecka K., Japonia (2004)
Pałasz-Rutkowska E., Dzieje kultury japońskiej (2023)
Totman C., Historia Japonii (2010)
Tubielewicz J., Historia Japonii (1984)
Varley P., Kultura japońska (2006)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: