Japan before 1800

3 credit hours · Undergraduate

After a brief survey of prehistoric Japan, students in this course explore two formative eras in Japanese history: the era of courtly (or aristocratic) society and the era of the samurai (warriors). Although the course proceeds chronologically, in order to provide students with a more analytical understanding a thematic approach is employed, considering political, economic, intellectual, and social issues in each era. No previous study of Japan is required.