History

This course provides an introduction and historical analysis of East Asia since 1600 to the present day. It provides a foundational grounding in the histories of China, Korea, and Japan in the modern era since 1600. The course examines the distinctive features of national histories in East Asia, as well as the cross-regional qualities of traditions and contestations within the region. The course discusses how the Ming-Qing transition in 17th-century China affected political discourse in Korea and Japan; how Western imperialism was encountered and responded to in China, Korea, and Japan in the 19th century; and how the experiences and memories of the 20th century have defined the nature of political and cultural interactions in East Asia. This course develops a fundamental knowledge of major historical themes in modern East Asia, as well as an understanding of the nature of cultural transmission, interactions, and tensions within the region. It also examines the traditions and transformations of East Asian societies.

When thinking of US-Japanese history, the words usually coming to mind are Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, or Okinawa. But beyond their violent clash in World War II, both countries share a fascinating historical relationship dating back to the 1850s. This seminar introduces the major events, developments, and dynamics that have shaped this relationship from the mid-19th century until the Cold War. The course investigates issues of diplomacy, trade, migration, war, and cultural transmission to show how closely the histories of both countries have been intertwined and shaped by one another.