Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject examines China and Japan from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present, comparing their historical development within the general themes of modernisation and sociopolitical continuity and change. Attempts are made to find explanations for the differing approaches of each country to the problems of foreign intrusion, economic exploitation and development; the social transition from feudalism to capitalism and beyond, and revolution and reaction. Topics to be studied are drawn from traditional society and government in China and Japan; the impact of Western penetration; the Chinese and Japanese response to the need for modernisation; Imperial Japan; the Chinese revolutions; the impact of war on Japan and China; defeat, occupation and civil war; the recent modernisation and developmental problems of Japan and China.
Assessment Mapping exercise: 20% + Tutorial paper: Oral presentation (500 words); Written presentation (1500 words): 30% + Essay (3000 words): 50%