Dr. J. Trygve Has-Ellison
University of Texas at Arlington
HIST 4379.001
TTH 9:30-10:50
Office Hours 9:00-9:30; by appointment
Office UH 320
EAST ASIAN HISTORY: FROM TRADITION TO MODERNITY
At the end of the eighteenth century, China was the most advanced civilization in the world, a position it had maintained for two millennia. Within fifty years, this had drastically changed – so much so that China today is still attempting to come to terms with the shock of modernization. Concurrently in the nineteenth century, Japan transformed from an insular, regional, and isolated society to a dynamic, aggressive, centralized nation-state, adapting and reconfiguring itself to emulate the West in the process. This course will focus on the different paths followed by China and Japan in their internal development as well as their respective responses to Western aggression.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to develop analytical and comprehension skills by reading several scholarly texts on Modern Asia.
Students will be able to discuss issues from the texts with their classmates and instructor.
Students will explain the prominent ideas and theories in two of the texts through the written medium of book reviews.
Students will create a research essay based on a specific topic from Asian History, and will be able to articulate, for themselves and their classmates, the major themes and theories related to that topic.
Students will discuss their research work through the medium of a scholarly presentation based on the academic conference paper.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Pa Chin, Family
Lu Hsun, Selected Stories
Marius Jansen, The Making of Modern Japan
Yukio Mishima, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
Jonathan D. Spence, The Search for Modern China
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be a mid-term and a final. The final will not be comprehensive. Each exam will consist solely of essay questions, which will come from a list supplied before the exam. Exams are graded on factual content, but also on the originality of analysis.
ESSAYS:
Two book reviews, and a10 page essay (including a short oral presentation of your essay topic) is required. The book reviews are chosen from two of the three works of fiction on our required reading list (Chin, Hsun, Mishima). Your essay will address a particular aspect of modern Asian history. The topic of the essay is chosen in consultation with me, and must be made by the end of March. In lieu of a third book review, you will be required to make a short oral presentation on the subject of your essay.
All papers are to be typed. Hand written and late papers will not be accepted, and each written assignment must conform to standard, grammatical rules. Unreadable papers will be handed back to the student with the expectation that the offense to the feelings of the English language will be rectified. Grades are based on clarity, analysis, understanding of the subject, and creativity. Original ideas that can be supported with evidence are always welcome.
GRADES:
This course has all the traditional elements: tests, papers, and attendance. But, more is required. This course calls for student participation: through engagement with the texts and vocal presentations. Grades will be based on exams (40% = 200 points), papers (40% = 200 points), and class participation (20% = 100 points), for a grand total of 500 points. Obviously, attendance will be a plus factor in determining your grade. Attendance and absences will be recorded and evaluated according to The University of Texas at Arlington guidelines. Attendance is taken into consideration when a student has earned a borderline grade. A student that has not been present, nor has shown any interest in participating in class, earns a grade based solely on their written work. Students who are present physically and mentally can positively affect their grade through their willingness to engage with the material, the professor, and their classmates.
COURSE & INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
Make-up exams will only be allowed under extreme circumstances with appropriate documentation (doctor’s forms, school activity absence form, etc.) Unexplained or other forms of absence will not be excused. Students with a record of absences and late assignments will not be allowed to make up an exam.
Extra credit will not be given except in extreme circumstances. Other conditions include: all class work must be completed on the appropriate due dates, and a stellar attendance record. Anything less than this will preclude extra credit.
All written work must be original; plagiarism or cheating will result in a failing grade. Missed exams cannot be made up without appropriate documentation (i.e. a doctor’s note on office stationery, an official letter from the University, etc.). Disruptive or unscholarly behavior has no place in the classroom and will not be tolerated.
Schedule of Classes
August 25 – First day of class, Introduction to the Course
August 27 – Historical Background to Modern China; Spence 1-73
September 1 – Historical Background to Modern China
September 3 – Historical Background to Modern Japan: Jansen
September 8 – From Ming to Manchu; Spence 74-138
September 10 – Manchu society and government
September 15 – Tokugawa Bakufu: Jansen
September 17 – Reform efforts under the Tokugawa; Essay Topic due
September 22 – China, the West, and Opium; Spence 139-191
September 24 – Hsun book review and discussion
September 29 – The Taiping and other Rebellions
October 1 – Japan and the West; Jansen
October 6 – The Meiji Restoration
October 8 – Manchu attempts at Reform; Spence192-242
October 13 – Japanese Modernization; Jansen
October 15 - Midterm
October 20 – Revolution and World War I
October 22 - Chin book review and discussion
October 27 – Warlordism, Marxism, and Republicanism; Spence 243-341
October 29 – Mao vs. Chiang
November 3 – Taisho Democracy; Jansen
November 5 – The growth of Japanese militarism
November 10 – World War II in Asia; Spence 342-488
November 12 – Mishima book review and discussion
November 17 – The great Chinese Revolution
November 19 – Library research day
November 24 – China under Mao; Spence 489-646
November 26 - Thanksgiving
December 1 – Japan under occupation; Jansen
December 3 – Essay Oral Reports and Research Essay due
December 5-11 – Final Exams, TBA
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Policy on Attendance and Drops
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of all classes. I will not drop students for excessive absences. However, please be reminded that participation counts for 20% of your final grade. Students are responsible for dropping a course before the cut-off date for drops.
Drop date: October 30.
Policy on the Americans with Disability Act
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act – (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable accommodation” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.
Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
“Scholastic Dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22)
Student Support Services Available:
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
E-Culture Policy:
The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.
All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly.
Grade Grievance Policy:
Consult catalog.