MODERN HISTORY 1

The present course is one of the basic courses for the degree in Languages, Civilisation and the Science of Language. The aim of the course – focusing on the mental, social and political structure in Japan, as well as the major events of Japan’s modern history – is to equip students with: a) the basic methodological and theoretical tools needed to approach modern history in extra-European contexts, b) an understanding and awareness of the limit of the Eurocentrism as a paradigm for describing and interpreting non-European societies; and c) the skill to apply this knowledge to the understanding and interpretation of the modern and contemporary world, as well as of multicultural societies in their local and global context.

The course aims at the following learning goals:
a) good knowledge of the mental, social and political structure in Japan, as well as the major events of Japan’s modern history, focusing primary on the origin and development of the nation state and the idea of modernity;
b) ability to use historical sources and methodologies and to apply them appropriately;
c) historical comparative understanding of the different versions that modernity can take in different times and spaces, and the ability to apply these knowledge and skills from one context to a different one;
d) understanding and awareness of the limit of the Eurocentrism as a paradigm for describing and interpreting non-European societies, and ability to apply this knowledge to the understanding and interpretation of the modern and contemporary world, as well as of multicultural societies in their local and global context.

Basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history

This course outlines the mental, social and political structure in Japan, as well as the main events that have characterised the modern period, focusing primary on the historical process which led to the birth and development of the nation state in Japan. It also focuses on the idea of modernity in Japan as one of the possible inflections that modernity can take in different times and at different places.

For attending and not-attending students:
Caroli Rosa, Gatti Francesco. Storia del Giappone, Laterza, Bari 2017 (Introduzione e capitoli 4-5);
Tipton Elise K., Il Giappone moderno. Una storia politica e sociale, Einaudi, Torino 2008 (capitoli I-V)
Caroli Rosa. “Razza, etnia, nazione. Alcune considerazioni sull'identita collettiva in Giappone”, Atti del XIX Convegno di Studi sul Giappone, Venezia 1996, pp. 47-62.
Maruyama Masao, “Teoria e psicologia dell'ultranazionalismo”, in Maruyama M., Le radici dell'espansionismo. Ideologie del Giappone moderno, Edizioni della Fondazione Giovanni Agnelli, Torino 1990, pp. 3-25.
Gluck Carol, “Meiji and Modernity: From History to Theory?” in R. Caroli (a cura di), 1868. Italia Giappone: intrecci culturali, Venezia, Cafoscarina, Venezia, 2008, pp. 41-58.

Written examination (up to 30 points), consisting of three parts:
1) five multiple choice questions (10/30 points);
2) five short-answer questions (10/30 points).
The first and the second parts aim at testing students’ knowlegde and understanding of the mental, social and political structure in Japan, as well as the major events in the Edo (1603-1867) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods.
3) a handwritten paper on a topic proposed by the professor (10/30 points).
The third part aims at verifying students’ ability to deepen their grasp of the course content; to interpret and contextualise historical events; to apply historical sources and methodologies appropriately; and to adequately conceptualise and express their ideas.

Frontal lesson, PowerPoint, online sources.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development