BE001002 Introduction to Japanese History

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School School of Letters

Lecture Code BE001002 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 日本史学入門

Subject Name
（Katakana）ニホンシガクニュウモン

Subject Name in
English Introduction to Japanese History

Instructor NARA KATSUJI,YIN XIAOXING

Instructor
(Katakana) ナラ　カツジ,イン　ギョウセイ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year,  Second Semester,  3Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (3T) Weds1-4：LET B204

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Lecture, seminar-focused, discussion, student presentations

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 07 : History

Eligible Students

Keywords Japanese history, history of education, history of foreign relations, history of books, political history, Gender history

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) History
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・Basic understanding of history of Japan, the East and the West

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course aims to cultivate a foundational understanding of Japanese history while teaching the basic methodologies of historical research. By investigating topics such as transportation, finance, war, policy, and historical figures, students will engage with the latest research trends and acquire practical skills in historical study.

Class Schedule Lesson 1
Lecture: What Is Studied in Japanese Historical Studies?
Students choose a research topic, set a theme, and consult the instructor on the direction and scope of their investigation.
Lesson 2
Lecture: Introduction to Historical Studies
Overview of imperial historiography, postwar scholarship, and the diversification of historical narratives.
Lesson 3
Lecture: History of Education in Early Modern and Modern Japan
Lesson 4
Lecture: External Pressure and the History of Foreign Relations
Lesson 5
Lecture: Introduction to Book History
Lesson 6
Lecture: Paper and Document Systems
Lesson 7
Lecture: Perspectives on Late Tokugawa Political History
Lesson 8
Lecture: Introduction to Gender History
Lesson 9
Seminar:
Saigoku Kaidō
Silver　and Distribution (Iwami Silver Mine)
Lesson 10
Seminar:
Itsukushima Shrine, Trade
War, and the Atomic Bomb
Lesson 11
Seminar
Taika Reforms and Ritsuryō Politics
Kamakura Shogunate Governance
Lesson 12
Seminar
Onmyōdō and Belief
Maritime Technology (Wokou Pirates and Trade)
Lesson 13
Seminar:
Saigō Takamori
the Imperial Family and Women
Lesson 14
Seminar
Hara Takashi
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Lesson 15
Lecture: Working with Historical Documents – Observation, Handling, and Reading

Text/Reference
Books,etc. References will be introduced in the class and they include references used in the presentations.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts

(More Details) Textbooks and handouts，audio materials，Visual (Video/PC/other visual materials)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Lesson １-8 　
Start to collect materials related to topic suggested in a class.
Class reveiwing and preparation

Lesson9-14
Students will report their research progress and findings to the instructor, receive feedback on any deficiencies or required revisions, and prepare for subsequent presentations. Special attention should be given to consulting with the instructor on presentation methods and content, as well as preparing any necessary supporting materials.

Lesson 3-15 　
Class reveiwing and preparation/ read materials and books

Requirements none

Grading Method Presentation（40％）, handouts（20％）, Discussion（40％）

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message The themes covered in this course represent only a small portion of Japanese historical studies. It is important for students to discover additional topics, conduct research on them, and consult related reference materials introduced during the class. Students should actively use the library and research facilities to read books relevant to the course content.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2025Year	School/Graduate School	School of Letters
Lecture Code	BE001002	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	日本史学入門
Subject Name （Katakana）	ニホンシガクニュウモン
Subject Name in English	Introduction to Japanese History
Instructor	NARA KATSUJI,YIN XIAOXING
Instructor (Katakana)	ナラ　カツジ,イン　ギョウセイ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, 3Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(3T) Weds1-4：LET B204
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Lecture, seminar-focused, discussion, student presentations
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	2 : Undergraduate Low-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	07 : History
Eligible Students
Keywords	Japanese history, history of education, history of foreign relations, history of books, political history, Gender history
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	History （Knowledge and Understanding）・Basic understanding of history of Japan, the East and the West
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course aims to cultivate a foundational understanding of Japanese history while teaching the basic methodologies of historical research. By investigating topics such as transportation, finance, war, policy, and historical figures, students will engage with the latest research trends and acquire practical skills in historical study.
Class Schedule	Lesson 1 Lecture: What Is Studied in Japanese Historical Studies? Students choose a research topic, set a theme, and consult the instructor on the direction and scope of their investigation. Lesson 2 Lecture: Introduction to Historical Studies Overview of imperial historiography, postwar scholarship, and the diversification of historical narratives. Lesson 3 Lecture: History of Education in Early Modern and Modern Japan Lesson 4 Lecture: External Pressure and the History of Foreign Relations Lesson 5 Lecture: Introduction to Book History Lesson 6 Lecture: Paper and Document Systems Lesson 7 Lecture: Perspectives on Late Tokugawa Political History Lesson 8 Lecture: Introduction to Gender History Lesson 9 Seminar: Saigoku Kaidō Silver　and Distribution (Iwami Silver Mine) Lesson 10 Seminar: Itsukushima Shrine, Trade War, and the Atomic Bomb Lesson 11 Seminar Taika Reforms and Ritsuryō Politics Kamakura Shogunate Governance Lesson 12 Seminar Onmyōdō and Belief Maritime Technology (Wokou Pirates and Trade) Lesson 13 Seminar: Saigō Takamori the Imperial Family and Women Lesson 14 Seminar Hara Takashi Ashikaga Yoshiaki Lesson 15 Lecture: Working with Historical Documents – Observation, Handling, and Reading
Text/Reference Books,etc.	References will be introduced in the class and they include references used in the presentations.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts
(More Details)	Textbooks and handouts，audio materials，Visual (Video/PC/other visual materials)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Lesson １-8 　 Start to collect materials related to topic suggested in a class. Class reveiwing and preparation Lesson9-14 Students will report their research progress and findings to the instructor, receive feedback on any deficiencies or required revisions, and prepare for subsequent presentations. Special attention should be given to consulting with the instructor on presentation methods and content, as well as preparing any necessary supporting materials. Lesson 3-15 　 Class reveiwing and preparation/ read materials and books
Requirements	none
Grading Method	Presentation（40％）, handouts（20％）, Discussion（40％）
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	The themes covered in this course represent only a small portion of Japanese historical studies. It is important for students to discover additional topics, conduct research on them, and consult related reference materials introduced during the class. Students should actively use the library and research facilities to read books relevant to the course content.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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