Prospectus

nl en

State of the Field Seminar: Multiple Histories of Early Modern Japan: a multidisciplinary approach to Japan's past

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

N.a.

Description

In this MA seminar students and instructors read and discuss together a range of scholarly writings related to Japanese religion, philosophy, history and literature. The seminar uses the early-modern period in particular as a case study, examining scholarly works on this period in the fields of history, religion and literature to allow students to discover the power of inter-disciplinary research in the area studies fields. By trying to map out a ‘state of the field’ of research on a range of areas of Tokugawa Japanese society, the seminar demonstrates research trends and methodologies which are also highly relevant to studies on other periods of Japanese history. Readings for the course thereby include a mixture of theoretical and scholarly work relating both to the fields of history, literature and religion in general, and to the case of Japan in particular.

Course objectives

Concrete aims of the seminar include to: 1. introduce students to a range of exemplary scholarly texts in English and (for those who are able) Japanese;
2. develop an awareness of different historical approaches, methodologies and schools;
3. develop a knowledge of the multi-disciplinary way in which historical, literary studies and religious studies writings interact in the academic study of early modern (as well as pre-modern) cultures and societies;
4. give students the capacity to react critically to different approaches and form their own scholarly responses

Timetable

For more information, check time table.
—> MA timetable

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

N.a.

Blackboard

Yes.

Reading list

N.a.

Registration

Enrollment via uSis is mandatory.

Contact information

Dhr. Dr. K.N. Paramore