East Asian Studies 100 - INTRO TO MODERN EAST ASIA

This course looks comparatively at the histories of China, Japan, and Korea from the late 18th century to the present. It examines the struggles of these countries to preserve or regain their independence and establish their national identities in a rapidly emerging and often violent modern world order. While each of these countries has its own distinctive identity, their overlapping histories (and dilemmas) give the region a coherent identity. We also will look at how individuals respond to and are shaped by larger historical movements.