Why are Japan’s relations with its neighbors so complicated today? How did these conflicts get started? Japan’s role in East Asia today—from its claims to disputed territories to its acknowledgment of wartime atrocities—is a sensitive subject for many. However, this is in part due to a complicated history that dates back to even before there was a Japan as such. To investigate how such tensions and conflicts emerged and developed over time, we make use of a variety of materials from the 8th century through WWII—history, literature, art, and film. Focusing on what these works reveal about how people understood (or wanted to understand) Japan’s relation to its neighbors, especially China, we will work towards a better understanding of forces and ideas that continue to influence relations between Japan and its neighbors today.

Course Requirements:

Attendance and Participation: 30% Reading & Project Responses: 30% Mid-term (Comparative) Project: 20% Final (Creative) Project: 20%

Intended Audience:

Any student with an interest in Asian Studies

Class Format:

As a DC (Distance due to COVID) course, all aspects of this course will be fully compatible with remote online learning. However, students will need to be available for virtual class meetings at their scheduled time.