JPN124 History of Japan

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Ivan Rumánek, PhD. et PhD (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Ivan Rumánek, PhD. et PhD
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
JPN114 Introduction to Japan. Studies
The student would ideally have finished the Intro to Japanese Studies course. It is also ideal if the student finishes the Japanese History course before taking Japanese Literature.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 70 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/70, only registered: 1/70, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/70
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course offers a general introduction to the issue of Japanese history, from its oldest times through the first half of the 20th century. It gives a general overview of fundamental historical, economic, social and cultural aspects. The student will attain knowledge about individual periods, important events and personalities.
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course, the student will be able to identify the periods of Japanese history; to locate important figures, events and processes in the general context of Japansese history; evaluate the importance of historical phenomena and personalities in the context of Japanese history.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction + pre-Jomon;
  • 2. Jomon;
  • 3. Yayoi + kofun;
  • 4. Yamato - Asuka;
  • 5. Nara + early Heian;
  • 6. High Heian;
  • 7. Late Heian + Kamakura;
  • 8. Muromachi;
  • 9. Sengoku period;
  • 10. Edo;
  • 11. Meiji era and the development conducing to the war in the Pacific;
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Mason, R. H. P; Caiger, J. G. Dějiny Japonska. Praha : Fighters Publications, 2007.
  • CRAIG, Albert M. Dějiny Japonska. Edited by Edwin O. Reischauer, Translated by David Labus - Jan Sýkora. Vyd. 2., dopl. Praha: Lidové noviny, 2006, 476 s. ISBN 9788071065135. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by Donald H. Shively - William H. McCullough. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, xxiii, 754. ISBN 9780521657280. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by Delmer Myers Brown. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993, xxiii, 602. ISBN 0521223520. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by John Whitney Hall - James L. McClain. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991, xxviii, 83. ISBN 0521223555. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by Kōzō Yamamura. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990, xviii, 712. ISBN 0521223547. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by Marius B. Jansen. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989, xii, 828. ISBN 9780521657280. info
  • The Cambridge history of Japan. Edited by Peter Duus. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988, xviii, 866. ISBN 9780521657280. info
  • VASILJEVOVÁ, Zdeňka. Dějiny Japonska. 1. vyd. Praha: Svoboda, 1986, 603 s. URL info
Teaching methods
Lectures, video projections, readings from period sources
Assessment methods
Final written/oral exam as assigned by the tutor. Students are expected and required to attend seminar classes of this course.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/JPN124