This class meets: Monday and Wednesday 2-3:10 at a place TBA

Introduction: These pages constitute the syllabus for History 211. This is the introductory level. A hyperlink to another page on the site looks like this: schedule. By clicking on this hyperlink you will travel to that page. Use the navigation bar at the top and bottom of the pages to navigate through the entire site.

Acknowledgements and Dedication

Goals of the Course: The class will be a survey of Japanese history and culture using classical Japanese films as the primary text. The goals of the class are (1) to acquire an overview of the entirety of Japanese history and culture; (2) to learn to "read" films, particularly Japanese classical films, as text; (3) to write about them intelligently. I will lecture to provide historical context and there will be assigned readings. Most students have found this an enjoyable and very useful way to learn Japanese history and culture in the past (I have taught this course at the University of Orgeon, at Williamette University, and at Lewis & Clark College as well as at Pacific) but they also say that it is hard work and demands a very systematic and disciplined approach.

Film As A Document: Film classes place an additional burden upon the student and the instructor. We are utilizing films made by and about Jpanese people as a document to be "read" to increase our understanding of the history and the culture of Japan. Film is not "reality" but then neither is a history text "reality." However, film has to be read differently than a book. My own feeling is that it requires more effort to avoid simply becoming a passive "audience" than a book requires. Part of our study will be to better understand how to read film for insights into history and culture. The films which we probably will see are listed on the films page in this site.

THE GRADING SYSTEM: The grading system for this course is an unusual one. It will require some time to comprehend and the initial stages of understanding it often involve some confusion. However, I have used it many times with strong student support because it offers an unusual opportunity for you to determine your grade. The system tries to minimize subjective issues of "quality" and rather rewards an honest self-assessment of your time and commitment, timely effort, and consistent performance. If you object to this system once you understand it, you may opt for the conventional system in consultation with the instructor. Note also that students who are non-native speakers of English may have a reduced writing load, by agreement with the instructor. For a full statement of Grading and Assessment

Electronic Resources:

This course depends upon an electronic environment. If you are reading this syllabus in hard copy, the electronic version can be found on the WWW at: <http://mcel.pacificu.edu/MCEL/Barlow/Sp99/H211/index.html> For interactive functions such as a class bulletin board, chat room, email functions and a space for student work we will use a Web-ct environment. About WEB-CT... Unfortunately Web-ct is a licensed application and only students enrolled in this class can have access to it.

Assigned texts: (Some used copies can be found at Powell’s Books on Burnside. Check in both Asian History and Culture (upstairs) and in the film section in the basement.)

• Joseph L. Anderson and Donald Richie, The Japanese Film, Art and Industry. Princeton U. Press. (This is a reference for you to read as useful; almost all of our films and their directors, actors, and actresses are discussed in this work; consult the indexes.
• Chie Nakane, Japanese Society. U Calif. Press.
• Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing Abour Film. paperback, 1997.
• W. Scott Morton, Japan, Its History and Culture. McGraw-Hill, (This is the "text")
• Buruma, Ian. Behind The Mask.. Meridian. I am trying to locate a copy of this excellent but out-of-print work to place on reserve.
• Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual (Boston: St. Martin’s, 1993) (This will provide an outline of basic grammar and the elements of a good paper.)

• Concurrent Enrollment in History 255, "History Web Lab." Although it is in no sense required for this course, I do encourage concurrent enrollment in History 255, History Web Lab. This is a one-hour course which meets Wednesdays from 12-12:50 in Strain 220. In this one hour the class studies how to produce and evaluate electronic materials, principally "pages" on the World Wide Web. In this class you could take some of the materials which you are producing in History 211 and put them up on the World Wide Web for the use of others. An additional section has been added at Tuesday from 11-12 in the MCEL in the basement of the UC, if you cannot make section 01.