History 692J - S-Culture/US Japan Relations

In this seminar graduate students will examine the relationship between the United States and Japan since 1853. After introducing students to the general diplomatic history of US Japan relations, the course will focus on other types of transnational history between the two countries. From gender to religion to race, students will explore the important role that individual actors, organizations, and ideas have played in connecting Japan and the United States, particularly at the sub-state level. This approach aims to complicate students' understanding of what constitutes transnational history as well as familiarize them with different categories of historical analysis. The second half of the course will be devoted to the composition of an original research paper that incorporates significant primary and secondary sources.

Open to Doctoral & Masters students only.