Modern Languages and Literatures

This course surveys the history of modern China and Japan from the 17th century to the present. Through out the course we will talk about China’s last dynastic rule, the rise of Nationalist and Communist parties, their alliances and struggles, the Sino-Japanese War, the social, cultural and political life in both Republican China and the People’s Republic of China. It also covers China’s economic reform in the past twenty years and the real and potential changes it has brought onto Chinese society in general.

On the part of Japan, we will cover Japan’s Tokugawa era, Meiji Restoration, state capitalism, and the Japanese development process. Empire, war defeat, U.S. occupation, and renewal in the 20th century, Japan’s rise to the front rank of the world economic powers after World War II, and its economic recession in the 1990s to the present with an evaluation of its causes and duration, as well as impact on international and especially U.S. economy.

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Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

· demonstrate a fundamental understanding of Modern history and cultures of China and Japan;

· recognize and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of East Asia, including belief systems and religions, and their impact on the development of the Asian societies under discussion;

· become more aware of the similarities and differences among the major Asian cultural traditions and between those of the West;

· be able to use primary and secondary sources as evidence to reach conclusions about the way of life of East Asian people – their political, social, economic, cultural systems.

· use the skills and knowledge developed in this course to continue exploring the civilizations of East Asia.

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Required Texts

Ebrey, P. B. Modern East Asia: From 1600. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. (ISBN 0-618-13385-2)

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References

Link here.

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Course Requirements

1. Attendance and Class Participation: Attendance is required. Students are expected to attend every class, arrive on time, stay to the end, and to participate in class discussions. Your participation is an integral part of your grade.

Absences will only be granted to documented illness, documented family emergencies, and etc. After 4 unexcused absences, your final grade will be automatically dropped by one level for every 2 absences. Entering the classroom 5 minutes after the class starts is considered tardiness and three tardiness will be considered as one absence. Tardiness of more than 20 minutes also counts as one unexcused absence.

To encourage student involvement in classroom activities, approximately 20%of the final grade will depend upon participation. Student participation will be evaluated on the basis of contribution to class discussions, presentations, and general level of preparation.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out the material covered during your absence and changes made on the schedule.

2. Assignments: All assignments should be typed and sent electronically to the dropbox before the start of class on the due date. You should also print a copy for class discussion. Late papers will be penalized five percent if received after the class on the due date. Papers received after the due date will be penalized fifteen percent.

Homework is graded in 5 levels:

a. 4 (90%): good work submitted on time.

b. 3 (80%): average work submitted on time.

c. 2 (70%): fair work submitted on time or resubmitted poor work with good quality.

d. 1 (60%): poor work submitted on time.

e. 0 (0%): unacceptable work, missing homework, or homework submitted late.

3, Papers: There will be two 5 page essays or book reviews for each country. Topics will be assigned. The paper must include a clear thesis, a logical argument, and well chosen supporting evidence. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, and include proper citations in any standard bibliographic style.

4, Quizzes and Exams: All exams and quizzes must be taken as scheduled. Quizzes will be given on every Wednesday and can not be made up under any circumstances. A make up exam will be given only in cases of extreme circumstances with appropriate documentation. Students must write quizzes on a clean sheet of notebook paper and exams in blue examination booklets. There will be a five percent grade penalty on the assignment for failure to prepare appropriate class materials.

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Grading Policy

Attendance and Classroom Participation 100 points

Homework: Questions 100 points

Quizzes 100 points

Papers 100 points

Midterm and Final Exams (100 points each) 200 points

Total possible points (800 points for each session) 600 points

Grading Scale

		A	>93	A-	90~92%
B+	87%~89%	B	86%~83%	B-	82%~80%
C+	76%~79%	C	70%~75%
		D	60%~69%	F	<60%

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Academic Honesty

At Emporia State University , academic dishonesty is a basis for disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to activities such as cheating and Plagiarism (presenting as one's own the intellectual or creative accomplishments of another without giving credit to the source or sources).

The faculty member in whose course or under whose tutelage an act of academic dishonesty occurs has the option of failing the student for the academic hours in question and may refer the case to other academic personnel for further action. Emporia State University may impose penalties for academic dishonesty up to and including expulsion from the university

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Disability Statement

Emporia State University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students need to contact the Director of Disability Services and the professor as early in the semester as possible to ensure that classroom and academic accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. All communication between students, the Office of Disability Services, and the professor will be strictly confidential.

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Course Outline and Schedule

For detailed schedule, click here.

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1200 Commercial Street, Box 4024
Emporia, KS 66801

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Page updated:August 20, 2008