Interim 2012: A History of Japanese Culture and
Government
Course Description:
Between 600 and 1868 AD, the literary, religious, architectural, artistic and culinary
elements of Japanese civilization were created, refined, and re-invented in tandem
with a number of reconfigurations of Japan's political structure. Over the course of
these twelve centuries, before Japan's political and economic center shifted
eastward to Tokyo, most major developments occurred in western Japan, and
revolved around the imperial courts in and around Kyoto. By the early 17th C., when
Edo (Tokyo) became the seat of Japan's last feudal government, the best-known
elements of the national tradition—physical, cultural, and political--had been largely
established.
This interim course will immerse students in the aesthetic and political history of a
nation which gave the world its first novel, Zen Buddhism, epic war poetry, samurai
castles, sushi, and a number of internationally admired performance and plastic
artistic traditions. Within Japan's sometimes elaborate, and sometimes austere
cultural structures, distinct codes of conduct and governance also flourished, and
have survived well beyond the passing of the old feudal orders. Through a
combination of directed readings, language study, site visits to major monuments,
participation in cultural demonstrations, and lecture/discussion classroom
activities, students will gain a basic grounding in this most complex and storied
history.
Learning Objectives:
 Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the chronology, guiding
ideals, and artistic elements of classical, medieval and early-modern Japan.
 Students will acquire the linguistic and proxemic skills to conduct basic
transactions in a Japanese setting, using a combination of Japanese and
Japanese-friendly English.
 Students will learn to apply theoretical knowledge obtained from scholarly
sources to their own reflections upon and engagement with a living, dynamic
society.

Students will appreciate and demonstrate knowledge of the logistical,
linguistic, and infrastructural complexity of a society culturally and
geographically distant from their reference culture.
INDS 140 consists of three major components:
Part I: Activities will include: 6 hrs. of basic Japanese language training; lectures and
readings on Japanese history and civilization; films and documentary about Japan
customs and culture; pre-trip orientation and a pre-trip exam. These are conducted
the two days on-campus before departure, and at select meeting times during the
Fall 2011 semester (TBA).
Part II: Visits and tours of the major temples, shrines, gardens, monuments and
natural vistas of Western Japan, with a concentration on Kyoto. Demonstrations and
participation opportunities in: Zen Mediation; the art of Kimono; ceramics; papermaking; calligraphy; traditional martial arts; fine Japanese cuisine and tea ceremony.
Part III. Lectures, discussions, diary work and language practice during select
evenings and afternoons during the stay in Japan. During these activities, students
will be challenged to put their impressions and experiences into sociological context
and strongly encouraged to reflect upon the relationship between civilization and
history as elements of nation-making and as sources of personal edification. This
component of the course includes a one-day excursion to Hiroshima.
Readings:
Course Materials: "Conversational Japanese for Tourists" (course packet)
Excerpts: Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters); Genji Monogatari (Tale of the Shining
Prince); Heike Monogatari (Chronicles of Heike Wars);
Short books:
Chūshingura (Treasure House of Loyalty)
John Hersey: Hiroshima
Meiji Restoration/Sakamoto Ryōma packet of articles/encyclopedia entries
Grading:
30% Exams (pre- and post-trip)
20% Journals (electronic or hard-copy, to be decided)
20% Participation
15% Language Quiz and Class Performance
15% On-campus in-class work on history and civilization
Note: The travel and activity itinerary for the in-Japan component of the course are
subject to modification: seasonal availability, rates, and other details may entail
some adjustments.
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