History 346
Section: 01
Time: MWF 11:00-11:50
Room: MCK 134
Winter 2008
HISTORY 346 – THE HISTORY OF MODERN NORTHEAST ASIA
“With Heaven’s aid I have conquered for you a huge empire. But my
life was too short to achieve the conquest of the world. That task is left
to you.”(Chingis Khan to his sons.) “I am the flail of God. Had you not
created great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon
you.”(Chinghis Khan while sacking Samarkand)
“A gigantic fleet ... has massed in Pearl Harbor. This fleet will be
utterly crushed with one blow at the very beginning of hostilities….
Heaven will bear witness to the righteousness of our struggle.”
(Rear-Admiral Ito—Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet—November
1941)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Professor:
Michael G. Murdock
Contact: SSC 145 / 675-3842
Office Hours:
TTh 2:00-3:00
E-mail: michael.murdock@byuh.edu
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Aloha! History 346 will explore Northeast Asia’s political, social, cultural, intellectual and economic
developments from roughly 1200 to the present. Traditional society and history will be contrasted to events of the
late nineteenth and twentieth centuries as Mongolia, Manchuria, Korea, and Japan adapted to global and regional
change. Historical chronology will form the backbone of the course but will be punctuated by thematic lectures
addressing various issues. Formal lectures will be augmented by class discussion about reading material, feature
films, slide presentations, and film clips.
Beyond the usual purposes behind a BYU-Hawaii education I seek three additional outcomes. First, I hope to instill
within each of you a deep appreciation for the history and people of Northeast Asia. Part involves highlighting what
this region has contributed and continues to offer; part involves exploring the challenges and suffering endured by
its peoples. Empathy and respect, in turn, will give each of you insights into your own roots.
Second, I want to expand your ability to think and analyze. I have little interest in factual minutia and do not aim to
cram your head with trivia. Instead, we will explore theories, ideologies, motivations, assumptions, forces, and
incentives that have shaped Northeast Asia’s history. Your task will be to master these larger dynamics and acquire
the ability to analyze them intelligently. Facts mean nothing without an analytical or interpretative framework to
give them life. Your ability to connect dots and identify patterns of significance will determine 80% of your grade.
Third, I intend to reinforce the value of effective life skills. Many students do as little as possible, believing they’ll
pursue excellence once they enter the “real world.” I say seek it now because the spirit that possesses your body at
BYU-Hawaii will continue to possess it after a career, spouse, children, a mortgage, and a cat arrive. A university
education is not about grabbing a diploma so you can score a high-paying job. It aims to shape the thoughts,
behavior, and character you’ll develop during the first critical years of adulthood. Therefore, like the so-called “real
world,” I reward behavior that augments class success and “de-reward” attitudes that detract. Your ability to be
accountable, cooperate with others, and maintain a positive relationship with me will determine 20% of your grade.
I want all of you to succeed and am very sympathetic to concerns about language, health, performance schedules,
work, family, and so forth. Most will earn my empathy and full support if they come to me early and sincerely.
Students who routinely miss class or fail to submit assignments and wait to the end of the semester before seeking
assistance, however, will find me less accommodating.
Course Requirements
Attendance—20 points: Attendance points require your presence at lecture. I’ll send a roll around each class;
ensuring it gets marked is your responsibility. I often excuse absences when asked in advance but you must
clear it with me each time and get lecture notes from a classmate. One lecture may be missed unexcused
without penalty but any more will cost 15 points per week. Students with enough unexcused absences to
burn up their attendance points will accumulate negative points at the same rate. After the last day of class
I’ll excuse absences no longer. Your attendance points will be determined by what is recorded on the rolls.
History 346
Section: 01
Time: MWF 11:00-11:50
Room: MCK 134
Winter 2008
Movie Viewings—20 points: Points will be given for each of the five movies. One evening viewing will be set up for
each film. Rolls will be sent around. Those unable to attend the class movie viewing can see the films on
their own or at the library as long as it is within one week. Points will be determined by what the rolls say on
the last day of class.
Participation—10 points: Participation points accrue only when students show independent effort to engage the
class: writing an introductory email, adding to class discussion, attending student reviews, visiting me
during office hours, etc. (I reward effort not genius.) Students who leave early, arrive late, sleep, use cell
phones, use laptops for non-academic purposes during class, duck when they see me in public, or detach
themselves from the class hurt their participation grade. Even bright students must get involved to receive
participation points.
Open Note Quizzes—5 points each: Fourteen quizzes will be given throughout the semester at the beginning of
class. The ten best will count toward your final grade. They aim to ensure that students keep current in the
readings, take notes during lecture, and come to class on time. Thus, missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Book Reaction Papers (BRP)—20 points each: Students must submit a book reaction paper for five of the nine
books (texts marked w/ an * are required). BRPs cannot exceed ½ page each and must address significance.
Movie Reaction Papers (MRP)—20 points each: Students must submit a movie reaction paper for each of the five
movies. MRPs cannot exceed ½ page each and must address significance.
Midterm Essay (ME)—100 points: The take-home midterm involves answering one question using material from
lecture, the readings, and the movies. You will have two weeks to complete the two-page essay. I expect
very well-written, quality work. Space is limited so be concise in thought and precise in word to be
compelling in argument. You are encouraged to help each other but must write your own essays.
Final Paper (FP)—100 points: The final paper involves writing a five-page research paper or thematic essay on a
topic of your choice, but one that relates to modern Northeast Asia. Picking an interesting, insightful, and
manageable subject is the hardest part of this assignment so keep it in mind as the semester progresses.
Late Policy: Late work will be penalized 20%. One week after the deadline the penalty rises to 50%. No late work
will be accepted after the final class of the semester.
Grade Breakdown and Policy
Attend./Participation
Quizzes
BRPs (5)
MRPs (5)
ME
FE
TOTAL =
50 pts.
50 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
500 pts
(10%)
(10%)
(20%)
(20%)
(20%)
(20%)
(100%)
I do not grade on a curve; come to me early if you have concerns or
feel you are struggling.
Texts: Marius Jansen. The Making of Modern Japan.
Hyegyongung Hong Ssi. The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong.
*Jack Weatherford. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.
Shusaku Endo. Silence.
Chikamatsu. Four Plays by Chikamatsu.
Junichiro Tanizaki. In Praise of Shadows.
Hildi Kang. Under the Black Umbrella.
Hakuko Cook. Japan at War.
John Dower. War Without Mercy.
*Kang Chol-Hwan. The Aquariums of Pyongyang.
 Unit I
 Unit II
 Unit III
 Unit III
 Unit IV
 Unit IV
 Unit V
 Unit V
 Unit V
= BRP#1
= BRP#2
= BRP#3
= BRP#4
= BRP#5
= BRP#6
= BRP#7
= BRP#8
= BRP#9
LECTURE, READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS and EXAMS SCHEDULE
1. Jan 9
Course Introduction and General Business
Unit I. The Traditional Context: Society, Culture, Politics
2. Jan 11
Geography and Language
3. Jan 14
Religion and Philosophy
4. Jan 16
5. Jan 18
Political and Social Systems
6. Jan 21
***Human Rights Day***
7. Jan 23
Confucian Familialism versus Non-Confucian Tribalism
8. Jan 25
Unit II. Surging Beyond all Boundaries (1200-1600)
9. Jan 28
The Mongol Empire and the Modern World
10. Jan 30
11. Feb 1
Japan’s Kamakura, Ashikaga, and Warring States Periods
12. Feb 4
13. Feb 6
Korea’s Koryo and Yi Dynasties, and Hideyosi’s Invasions
14. Feb 8
15. Feb 11
Mongol Raiders and Japanese Pirates
16. Feb 13
17. Feb 15
Unit III. Establishing Order and Glory (1600-1800)
18. Feb 18
***Presidents Day***
19. Feb 20
Manchuria’s Qing Empire  Sinicization
20. Feb 22
21. Feb 25
Japan’s Tokugawa Order: Samurai to Chonin
22. Feb 27
23. Feb 29
Korea’s Yi Order: Flagging Unity
24. Mar 3
25. Mar 5
Early Western Influence
26. Mar 7
Unit IV. Searching for a New System (1800-1945)
27. Mar 10
Western Imperialism: Taewongun & Meiji
28. Mar 12
29. Mar 14
Early Japanese Imperialism and Its Impact (1873-1918)
30. Mar 17
31. Mar 19
Versailles to Mongolian Secession (1919-1921)
32. Mar 21
33. Mar 24
Road to World War (1921-1945)
34. Mar 26
***Kuhio Day***
35. Mar 28
Unit V. Finding New Identities and Challenges (1945-2000)
36. Mar 31
SCAP and the Korean War (1945-1954)
37. Apr 2
38. Apr 4
Post-War Japan—anti-Communism and Economic Growth
39. Apr 7
40. Apr 9
South Korea/North Korea—Division and Tension
41. Apr 11
42. Apr 14
NE Asia in the Future?
43. Apr 16
44. Apr 23
Murdock’s Office by 5:00 p.m.
MRP#1 Due
BRP#1 Due
MRP#2 Due
ME handed out
BRP#2 Due
ME Due
BRP#3-#4 Due
MRP#3 Due
MRP#4 Due
BRP#5-#6 Due
BRP#7-#8-#9 Due
MRP#5 Due
FP Due
WRITING SEMINAR and MOVIE SCHEDULE
The Way Home [G]
Seven Samurai [NR]
The Hidden Blade [R]
Cave of the Yellow Dog [G]
A State of Mind [NR]
88”
207”
132”
93”
94”
MRP#1
MRP#2
MRP#3
MRP#1
MRP#1
DVD 0368
DVD 0763
DVD 0761
DVD 0760
DVD 0762
Jan 16, 6:15
Feb 6, 6:15
Mar 5, 6:30
Mar 19, 6:30
Apr 9, 6:30
MOVIES and BOOKS NOTE
These films/books have not been selected for your entertainment but education. They aim to expand understanding
beyond your own experiences. Parts may be bleak but wonderfully depict features of the human condition. This too
is necessary for your progression. Some feel that if a movie or book does not leave them refreshed, uplifted, and
joyous, it has no value but cankers their soul. Like monks in a monastery, they prefer to sever contact with the
“world.” Consider the following prophetic comments concerning education and progression.
Shall I sit down and read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Covenants all the time?” says one. Yes, if you please and
when you have done, you may be nothing but a sectarian after all. It is your duty to study to know everything upon the face of the earth
in addition to reading those books. We should not only study good, and its effects upon our race, but also evil and its consequences.
—Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 2:93-94
God doubtless, could avert war, prevent crime, destroy poverty, chase away darkness, overcome error, and make all things bright,
beautiful and joyful. But this would involve the destruction of a vital and fundamental attribute of man—the right of agency. It is for
the benefit of His sons and daughters that they become acquainted with evil as well as good, with darkness as well as light, with error
as well as truth, and with the results of the infraction of eternal laws. The contrasts experienced in this world of mingled sorrow and
joy are educational in their nature, and will be the means of raising humanity to a full appreciation of all that is right and true and good.
—Teaching of the Prophet Joseph F. Smith, p. 286
The tide of evil flows. It has become a veritable flood. Most of us, living somewhat sheltered lives, have little idea of the vast
dimensions of it. … God give us the strength, the wisdom, the faith, the courage as citizens to stand in opposition to these and to let
our voices be heard in defense of those virtues which, when practiced in the past, made men and nations strong, and which when
neglected, brought them to decay.
—Gordon B. Hinckley, Be Thou An Example, p. 58
If you still do not feel comfortable viewing or reading any of these movies or books, an alternative listing will be
made available if you inform me in writing why you prefer not to follow the prescribed outline. Present this request
to me within the first two weeks of class so I can make arrangements.
UNIVERSITY STANDARDS
While all students sign the honor code, there are still specific skills most students need to master over time in order to correctly cite sources, especially in this
new age of the internet; as well as deal with the stress and strain of college life without resorting to cheating. Please know that as your professor I will
notice instances of cheating on exams or plagiarizing on papers. If I catch you cheating, you will fail the course. See http://www.byu.edu/honorcode for
specific examples of intentional, inadvertent plagiarism, and fabrication, falsification.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal
funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and
student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university but to students as well. If
you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at
378-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 378-2847.
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities.
If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities
Office (378-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are
coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the
basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at
378-5895, D282 ASB.