タイトル
2026 年度   国際日本学部
日本史・社会概論   
時間割コード
19J3008
担当教員（ローマ字表記）
  トリフ　ヨアン　[TRIFU Ioan]
授業開講形態 授業形態 単位数 学期 曜日・時限 実務経験のある教員による授業
対面   2 秋学期 木3 -
授業題目（和文）   
 
Title（English）   
Political and Social History of Contemporary Japan
 
授業の目標   
 
Goals of the course   
To understand the political and social transformations of Japan since 1945 and how they inform the country's present condition.
To think about the meaning of “postwar” in Japan and its relevance in today's society.
To analyze the long-term processes that have shaped and continue to shape Japanese politics and society
And above all, to recognize that the future is not something already written, by examining the human choices and contingencies that have made Japan's contemporary history.
 
授業の概要   
 
Overview of the course   
More than eighty years have now passed since the end of World War 2. This course explores the history of Japan during our contemporary age from the early postwar period to the beginning of the 21st century. We will begin by examining Japan’s transition from war to peace and the ways in which the country rebuilt itself, as much through continuity with the prewar era as through change, following the collapse of the imperial project. Then we will analyze what new Japan emerged during the years of rapid economic growth and the accompanying social, cultural and environmental transformations. Finally, we will investigate what is behind the postwar myth of Japan’s success and failure in order to be more prepared to think about the apparent stagnation of the recent decades despite the rise of East Asia on the global stage.

While focusing primarily on the political and social sides, this course adopts a broad approach to introduce the students to the central aspects of contemporary Japanese history. Topics are ranging from democratization to urbanization, improving living conditions to shifting gender differences, economic development to ecological consequences. Through these themes, students will gain a deeper understanding not only of the long-term processes that have made Japan into the country it is today but also of the other, alternative Japans that might have been possible.
 
キーワード   
 
Keywords   
Postwar Japan, Contemporary period, Democratization, Social and cultural changes, Economic development, Environment and modernization, Globalization
 
授業の計画   Plan  
No.内容Content
第1回
 Introduction: Postwar Japan?
第2回
 Occupation: Changes and Continuity
第3回
 Rebuilding the State, Rebuilding Politics in the 1950s
第4回
 1960 Anpo and the Security Issue
第5回
 Postwar Political Model: Conservatism versus Progressism
第6回
 High Economic Growth, Consumer Society and Middle Class Dreams
第7回
 Reshaping Japan: Cities, Cars, and Bullet Trains
第8回
 Gendered Japan: Salarymen, Housewives and Nuclear Families?
第9回
 On Japanese Identity: Nation and Citizenship
第10回
 Protest and the State of Japanese Democracy
第11回
 Side-Effects: Pollution, Waste and Energy Issues
第12回
 The 1980s Illusion: Japan as Number One?
第13回
 Preparation for the online discussion (COIL) [Further details will be announced in due course]
第14回
 Online discussion (COIL) [Further details will be announced in due course]
第15回
 Examination of the full course and Conclusions
※

成績評価の方法・基準   
 
Grading system for assessment   
Participation and activities: 20%
Quizzes: 30%
Full course exam: 50%
 
事前・事後学習【要する時間の目安】   
 
Preview/review   
Students are required to attend the course every week, remain attentive, and take notes in class.
 
履修上の注意   
 
Notes   
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor (changes will be announced in class and via Moodle).
 
教科書  
 
参考書  
 
使用言語  
英語(E)
The class is taught in English, but we will use Japanese in the discussions when necessary.
 
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