The Shogun and Beyond: Culture and Society of Early Modern Japan

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) This course offers a multilayered examination of culture and society under the Tokugawa Shogunate (1600-1868). While popular narratives focus on the power and grandeur of the Shogun, the experiences and perspectives of his subjects depict a vastly different story. By analyzing written and visual material from peasants, commoners, and other social strata, we challenge the romanticized notions of the Tokugawa era to work toward a more nuanced understanding of this dynamic period of Japanese civilization. Experimental Course - This course is offered on a trial basis to gauge interest in the topic. Students who successfully complete this course receive credit as indicated.