2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences14:History
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Hironori Okazaki
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (WL2-301(W631))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S414
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this course, each session will have its own theme, and students will study various aspects of early modern history of Japan.
Using primary historical documents, such as letters, diaries, and other old documents of the time, students will deepen their understanding of the history of Edo (Tokyo) and Japan from multiple perspectives.
Course description and aims
1) To understand multifaceted history that cannot be learned from textbooks.
2) To examine common historical theories and common sense from a modern perspective, and to understand the importance of historical materials that serve as arguments.
Keywords
Edo Castle, travel, hobbies, heirlooms, battles, towns, villages
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Face-to-face.
There will be time for a small report at the end of each class session, which will be submitted at the end of each session.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Guidance historical methods | Understand the historical method. |
| Class 2 | History of Edo Castle | An overview of the history of Edo Castle and learning about the castle's interior. |
| Class 3 | Edo People's Journey | The program focuses on the travels of people in the Edo period and their realities and enjoyments. |
| Class 4 | Hobbies of the Samurai | Learn about the hobbies and tastes of the samurai family, using falconry and kemari as examples. |
| Class 5 | Sekigahara battle and Osaka battle | From the battles that took place in Sekigahara and Osaka, we learn about the thoughts of the people of those times. |
| Class 6 | Samurai family heirlooms | Consider the history of heirlooms protected by Samurai families and people's awareness of them. |
| Class 7 | Townspeople and Villagers in the Edo Period | Learn about the realities of the people who lived in Edo towns and nearby villages. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials will be provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Points will be allocated for a short report (80%) and a final report (20%), which will be collected at the end of each class.
Related courses
- LAH.H105 ： History A
- LAH.H205 ： History B
- LAH.H305 ： History C
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Other
No classes will be given on April 12 (Wed).
Seven total classes will be held for this course: April 19 (Wed), April 26 (Wed), May 10 (Wed), May 17 (Wed), May 24 (Wed), May 31 (Wed), June 7 (Wed).