JAP2508 – History of Japan
Course description
Course content
This course will provide an introduction to Japanese history from prehistory until 1989, the end of the Cold War period.??
The major part of the course will be in the form of lectures that will provide a chronological overview of the most important events and trends in Japan’s history. In some classes we will collectively read and analyze primary sources in translation. By interpreting various types of primary sources, we attempt to immerse ourselves in the society and thought patterns of different eras in Japanese history. This may help us to acquire a critical perspective on "accepted" historical truths.
The last part of the course is a writing process, where you work on an independent assignment. You will receive feedback on your outline and first draft, and you will also comment on the drafts of other students. The writing process provides skills that will also be useful in other courses.
Learning outcome
- You will gain an overview of the major trends in Japanese history up to 1989.
- You will obtain a comparative insight into how to position Japan and Japanese history within an East-Asian or wider perspective and within the framework of world order.
- You will learn to work with primary sources (albeit in translation) and pose fundamental questions about context, agenda, reliability, underlying worldviews, etc.
- You will gain a critical awareness of how history is as much about different interpretations as it is about historical 'facts'.
- You will receive training in writing an assignment on a topic of your choice through a multi-step writing process.
- You will receive training in how to find and evaluate academic sources.
The writing process teaches students to find and formulate their own research question, give constructive comments on the ideas of others, and improve their own work on the comments that they have received.
Working with primary sources teaches students to reflect on the complicated realities that lie behind the historical narratives of textbooks, and inspires them to think critically about received truths.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with JAP2503 – Japanese History (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JAP1503 – Japans historie (discontinued).
- 5 credits overlap with JAP2504 – Japan f?r moderniteten.
- 5 credits overlap with JAP2505 – Modern Japanese History.
Teaching
The teaching consists of 1 double lecture/seminar per week over 12 weeks. The students' writing process constitutes a significant part of the course structure.
Mandatory Activities
Attendance: You are required to attend 80% of the teaching. In this class that means a minimum of 10 out of 12 double sessions
Outline for the term paper
First draft of the term paper
Comments on others' first drafts
The outline, first draft and comment are handed in according to deadlines set in Canvas.
Approval of the outline and compulsory draft of the term paper are only valid for the current semester. If you retake the course, you must submit a new draft in the semester in which you are taking the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
Examination
A final paper of some 10 pages (around 2300 characters per page without spaces).?You are free to choose a topic of your liking, from any period up until 1989. Please focus on one limited question or one primary (translated) source, and build your argument on the basis of recent and/or prominent secondary sources.
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams.?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.?
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.