日本近現代史

This is a seminar course designed to explore the field of modern Japanese history through its historiography. The course will begin by surveying various approaches to the study of history to see how Japan was constituted as an object of study. The latter part of the course will then focus on themes (such as empire, race, popular culture, etc.) in order to examine how the past has been conceptualized and historicized. Throughout the semester, emphasis will be placed on thinking about the relation between the past and the present and how this shapes the writing of history. Thus, the course is more about ideas than content. It is highly recommended that students have some knowledge of the history of modern Japan prior to taking this course.