Orientation

Introduction to the course, explaining the aims and scope of the course, deciding the themes for presentations, and choosing teams for the presentations.

Emergence of Modernity and the West

Modernity and modernization will be studied. Some of the terms or concepts that will be dealt with are: Modernization, Westernization, Imperialism, “technicalization,” Civilization, Traditionalism, and the West versus the East.

How did the modernity develop and change the West

Following the method of the previous week lecture of this week will continue on looking the process of the modernization. Some of the concepts that the lecture of this wekk will cover are, Middle Ages (Dark Ages), the Renaissance and the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution.

The West and the East (1): The Case of the Iberian Peninsula

Lecture of this week sheds light on the connection between the modernization processes of the West and the Islamic Civilization, through focusing on the “golden age” in the Islamic History that overlaps the Middle Ages, or so called “Dark Ages” in the West.

The West and the East (2): Eastern Europe & the Ottomans

This week, the lecture focuses on “the era of the Big Three Empires” through the case of the Ottomans. More precisely, cross-cultural interaction between the West and the Ottoman Empire, a Muslim state which dominated the Eastern Europe, the immediate neighborhood of the West, for around four centuries will be studied.

Japan Meets the West: The Edo (Tokugawa) Period

How Japan encountered the West is the main topic of this week. Some of the sub-themes are, first encounter of the Westerners and Japan in Tanegashima, and notion of "Nanban-jin" in the Edo Period.
The class of this week will also cover the transition period extending from the end of the Edo toward the Meiji Era. Some of the sub-themes are, internal signs of the change, arrival of “Black Ships,” rebellions and revolutions.

Japan's Modernization: The Meiji Restoration

Japan's experience of the Modernization is going to be the main theme of this week. Some of the componets that will be covered during the class are, the Iwakura Mission, the Meiji Restoration, and “the Strategy of Asia-out Europe-in.”

Japan after the Meiji Restoration: Expansion to Asia and Struggle with the West

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Cultural Issues of the Modernity: Misconception of the Self and the Other

Distinction between the East and West, Stereotypes

Orientalism: Western Misconceptions of the East

The Orient, The Occident, Islamophobia, power (authority) and knowledge

How the West Saw the Japanese Society: The Japanese Image in the West

How Japan and Japanese culture were understood by Westerners will be covered this week. Wew will be looking at some theories of japaneseness (nihoninron) such as "ie-shakai", "tate-shakai", "Haji-no-bunka" etc.

Comparison of Japan and the West: Physical appearances, behaviors of men, women and children

Following the method of the previous weeks, the class will focu on,some comparisons about physical appearances, behaviors of men, women and children between Japan and the West will be conducted, with reference to the book titled The First European Description of Japan (1585), by Luis Frois (translated and annotated by Richard K. Danford et al.)

Comparative Perspective: Culture and Religion

The lecture of this week will be focusing on the notion of religion and religious societies in both cultures. More precisely, religious conditions in 16th century with a special reference to Buddhism especially Tendai-shu, and Christianity especially the Jesuits, a Catholic missionary order will be chosen, and faiths and practices of both religions will be compared. Luis Frois's The First European Description of Japan will be the main text this week too.

Religion and the Modernity: Max Weber’s Theory of Modernization

Class of this week will also try to conclude the series of comparison between the West and Japan with a kind of general arguement that is the position and the role of religion in the discussions about the modernity and Japan by a reference to Max Webe's theory of religion and modernity and application of theory to the Japanese modernization experinces by Robert N. Bellah in his book titled Imagining Japan

Wrap up

The above schedule is subject to change. If there will be any changes, it will be announced beforehand.

Quiz (Mini examination): 50%
Submitting comment sheets: 35%
Active class participation: 15%