Course Description

Given the recent economic hardships, is Asia doomed to regional ruin?  Or are these countries at century’s onset now on the brink of unequaled economic and political success?  These two sweeping questions, often posed by Western media pundits, will serve as touchstones for our examination of East Asia in the modern age.  During this course students will examine the events and personages that shaped this region in the twentieth century.  Comparing the textbook narrative with various primary sources, you may decide for yourselves whether or not we are facing a “Pacific Century” with its locus of power in either Tokyo or Beijing.

Students taking this course should reach the following goals by the end of the semester:

•  Construct persuasive written arguments concerned with historical topics.
• Utilize the latest methods of Web-based technology to communicate with fellow students.
• Learn of the fundamental historical development of ancient Asian societies in the regions of modern-day China, Japan, Korea, and Viet Nam from ca. 1800 to the present day.
• Understand better the effect the recent past has had on the modern world.
• Exhibit self-motivation and self-expression by exploring and asking questions regarding historical topics beyond personal life experiences.