Fujita Tsuguji, "The day of the Saipan gyokusai [Saipan-to gyokusai no hi]" (oil).
Purpose and Objectives of the Course: This course treats the series of conflicts between Japan and its neighbors from 1931-1945 that are often loosely grouped by Japanese nationalists under the rubric of "The Greater East Asia War". During these years, Japan expanded its power across the continent of Asia, Southeast Asia, and to island outposts throughout the Pacific before the naval, military, and air forces of the United Nations drove back Japanese military forces until the Emperor's Home Islands were brought under deadly attack, culminating in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The "15-Year War," as "progressive" historians in Japan have labeled it, ended in Japan's utter and complete military defeat, the occupation of the country, and the trial of key leaders as war criminals. The social, political, and economic experiences of the Japanese people during the terrible years of total war are the focus of this course. The peoples victimized by Japan’s aggression are key witnesses to the story. How did this happen and how was Japanese society affected by this titanic struggle? Readings and Shared Experiences: The key to this course is critical reading and discussion of differing interpretations of the objectives, directions, and experiences of the war. The readings on Japanese individual experiences should be compared with "official" views and alternate perspectives. Each week the class will focus on a topic, theme, or problem. Readings will be read carefully by all members of the class. Each student will be expected to attend and participate in class discussion. The topics are big and there is plenty there for each of us to ponder. We should all be asking questions and trying to answer them. One way is to keep a journal, a record of the issues of fact, interpretation, and controversy you wish to raise and your best efforts at the answers, recording your reactions to class lecture, discussion, films, and readings. These are not "class notes", but are a vital part of engaged learning. Sharing ideas with your colleagues through the course Listserv is another way to engage in discussion outside of class. Required Books: The following books are required reading and have been ordered for the bookstore. Copies are also on reserve in the library. You will use them throughout the course. 1. John W. DOWER, War Without Mercy: Race & Power in the Pacific War (Pantheon). Powerful book on the unmentionable foundation of the Pacific War’s ferocity. 2. Ronald SPECTOR, Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan (Vintage). Nationally acclaimed history of the Pacific War from the U.S. perspective. Pulitzer prize winner. 3. Haruko Taya COOK and Theodore F. COOK, Japan at War: An Oral History. (The New Press) The war from the viewpoint of individuals in Japan who lived through it. 4. IRIYE, Akira, Pearl Harbor and the Coming of the Pacific War. A Brief History with Documents and Essays. (M.E. Sharpe). Collection of documents and excerpted essays by noted historian of international relations and specialist in the U.S. and the Pacific provides compact survey of the key readings. 5. Jeanne Wakatsuki HOUSTON & James D. HOUSTON, Farewell to Manzanaar (Bantam). A memoir of the incarceration of a young American of Japanese ancestry in the midst of a war she did not understand. 6. ÔE, Kenzaburô, ed., The Crazy Iris and Other Stories of the Atomic Aftermath. (Grove) Selection of literary responses to the A-bombs by Nobel Prize for Literature winner’s Valuable collection of articles suggesting new research in progress. A "READER FOR HISTORY 365" is on Reserve at the University's Byrd Library. An extensive collection of books is on Reserve in the Library for History 365 where you might look for other readings. Recommended Books: The following books are suggested reading and have been ordered for the bookstore in limited numbers for your convenience. Copies are also on reserve in the library. You will use them throughout the course. 1. IENAGA Saburô, The Pacific War: World War II and the Japanese, 1931-1945. Leading Japanese progressive historian gives his view of Japan’s war with Asia and the U.S. Don’t miss his end notes—they alone are worth the price of admission. 2. ôoka Shôhei, Fires on the Plain (Tuttle). Novel about the experience of a Japanese soldier in the Philippines. (The author himself served in the battle for Leyte.) Films: The class will view at least five movies from, or about, wartime Japan. They will provide an extremely important component of our work. The best way to exploit these films is to think of them not as "shows" to be watched, but as cinematic documents, bearing in image, sound, motion, and themes many hidden ideas which your active viewing and study may bring out. They make good themes for comments in your journal. Course Requirements and Evaluation: This course on the Pacific War places great emphasis on each student’s willingness to explore difficult materials creatively—the materials we use as resources require it and historical curiosity should compel it. The readings are guide posts; search out others to answer your questions as they emerge. 1. Readings, Discussion Leadership, and Organized Activities (25%): All assigned readings are expected to be completed before you come to class. Bring your notes and books with you as needed to discuss the issues raised and questions that may come up from them. You may wish to keep a journal of your reactions to the films we see, the readings, and your reactions to the discussion themes and topics. a) Regular Participation in our class discussions is expected. You cannot participate if you do not attend class and class absences will result in deductions from your Final Grade. b) Group Discussion: These are seminar-like group discussions on major topics marked out on the syllabus and you will be asked to sign up for a Group, but all topics will be covered adequately (i.e. the instructor may reassign you, after asking for volunteers to assure a good distribution). In each discussion session everyone in Class will have read Common Readings preparing them to evaluate your arguments and ask questions. If it is your Group presenting, you will be addressing the key issue or issues you have collectively determined to be vital for that day. All members of the groups are responsible for establishing the day’s program, dividing up the subject, and assuring that it is well covered. In preparation for the discussion, and as a separate individual product, you will prepare as an individual a paper, as described below. You must read at least one book or major article that the class as a whole will not have read, so you must share the perspective you have acquired with your classmates. All readings will be approved by the instructor at least two (2) weeks prior to the session. Each member of the group will receive the Group’s grade for overall performance and an individual grade for your public part in the program. 2. Group Discussion-Related Papers: (20%): Each student in the course will be responsible for a short (3-5 page) paper tied directly into your Group Discussion. You will not be reading these aloud in class! Do not make the mistake of trying to turn them into an oral presentation or substitute writing down oral comments for an analytical piece. The Paper is to be a critical book review of your own Special Reading for your group or a more extensive reaction piece responding to that new reading and/or other issues encountered in your work on the Group Project. This is not a "book report" summarizing the book. Rather it should be a careful analysis of the book's contribution to the issue under consideration that assesses it compared with other materials available. Your written papers are due at the class where your group presents. Papers must be properly footnoted, typed double-spaced, and carefully proof-read. You will be graded on your argument. 3. Mid-Term Examination (25%): A mid-course evaluation of how well we are doing on major events, personalities, and developments. The essay questions will require analysis and thought. The identifications will be "paragraph identifications," requiring a well-written paragraph to explain, explore, or interpret a question. A Map quiz will be part of the exam, but may be administered earlier. There will be a limited choice of questions. 4. Final Examination (30%): At the completion of the course, a Final similar to the midterm, but including at least one cumulative essay will allow students to demonstrate command of the issues and problems encountered. Schedule of problems, assignments, and events I. The Social History of War
Week Class Subject 1. Jan. 22 Introduction to War and Society: Japan’s Experience Common Readings: Arthur Marwick, "The Nature of the Problem," War and Social Change in the Twentieth Century (1974: Macmillan) pp. 1-23 (on reserve); Ienaga The Pacific War Part I; Spector, Eagle Against the Sun Introduction pp. 1-8; Cook & Cook, Japan at War: An Oral History "Introduction to a Lost War" pp. 3-21. Discussion about expectations, experiences, and the dimensions of the war. II. The "Greater East Asia War"
2. Jan. 29 China Incident and Undeclared War FILM: "Five Scouts" A powerful military drama at the front in China by Tasaka Tomosaka, 1938. Also excerpts from Frank Capra’s "The Battle of China." Readings: Cook&Cook Part I: "An Undeclared War" "Battle Lines in China" "Toward a New World Order" 21-68. Spector, Eagle Against the Sun, Ch. 1. Suggested: Hsiung & Levine, China’s Bitter Victory Intro. & Ch. 1-4, 6-7, 10; Ienaga Ch. 4-6. 3. Feb. 5 The Roots of War: Mutual Images, War Plans, & the "Far Eastern Crisis" Readings: Spector, Eagle Against the Sun, Ch. 2-4; Dower, War without Mercy Intro. Ch. 1-3. Cook&Cook, "I Loved the American Movies" 240–248. Suggested: Maruyama Masao, "The Ideology and Dynamics of Japanese Fascism," in Ivan Morris, ed., Thought and Behavior in Modern Japanese Politics, (25-83) on reserve. FILM: "Know Your Enemy: Japan" a U.S. film made for American troops. Frank Capra, 1945 release. A propaganda classic in power and distortion. 4. Feb. 12 Pearl Harbor as History Readings: Akira Iriye, Pearl Harbor and the Coming of the Pacific War. A Brief History with Documents and Essays . [Class divided into Groups for this.] Cook&Cook Part II Have "Faith in Victory" "December 8, 1941" 69-95. Suggested: T.F. Cook, "December 8, 1941" MHQ, 4:1 Aut.1991 (on Reserve). Akira Iriye, Origins of the Second World War in the Pacific, Ch. 3-6. General Discussion: "Was this war really inevitable?" Have no fear, we will come back to this topic again later in the course. 5. Feb. 19 Japan’s Victory Offensive: Surprise, Competence, Preparedness Readings: Ienaga Ch. 7; Cook&Cook "Greater East Asia" 95-120; "Lost Battles" 259-266; Spector Ch.5-8. FILM: Excerpts from Hawaii, Malaya Battles," a Japanese war film of 1942 and "Bataan" John Ford on the early days of the war. Discussion: "The Rising Sun: The Military Course of the Early War" 6. Feb. 26 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere Readings: Cook&Cook "Greater East Asia" 95-120; Dower, Ch 4-7, 10. Suggested: Ienaga Ch. 8; Discussion: "Co-Prosperity, Asian Nationalism, and War Aims" MIDTERM EXAM WEEK III. People at War Can we find the individual in a total war? What social issues must we examine to get at the core of war / military history? Are there universal issues? 7. March 5 The Soldiers Readings: Cook&Cook "The Emperor’s Warriors" "Demons from the East" 121-168 Spector, Ch. 9-15 (skim, but look carefully at operational areas mentioned in Japan at War); Kazuko Tsurumi, "Socialization for Death: Moral education at School and in the Army" (on Reserve). Suggested: Alvin D. Coox, "The Effectiveness of the Japanese Military Establishment in the Second World War" (on reserve). FILM: "Soldiers at the Front". A documentary about the boys at the front in China which takes the art of image making to new heights. Kamei Fumio, 1939. Excerpts from "Tank Commander Nishizumi" & post-war movies "Fires on the Plain" and "Human Condition". Discussion: "The War from the Front Lines" March 12 SPRING BREAK 8. Mar. 19 The Home Front: Women, Youths, and Old Men Readings: Cook&Cook Pt. III Homeland "Life Goes On," "War Work," 169-231, "Childhood," "Arts & Entertainment" 231-258; Ienaga Ch.10; Kazuko Tsurumi, "The Family: The Impact of the War on Women" reserve. Suggested: Spector Ch. 21-22, Ienaga Ch. 9. FILM: "Our Planes Fly South" The struggle of a Japanese single-mother and her son to serve their nation. Also excerpts from "Rikugun" and another mother’s war. Discussion: "Women and War in Japan" 9. Mar. 26 The Frenzy of War in the United States Readings: Houston & Houston, Farewell to Manzanar (entire); Dower Ch. 8-10. Discussion: "The Internment of Japanese Americans—American Concentration Camps?" 10. April 2 The Rain of Fire— B-29’s over Japan Readings: Cook&Cook Part V "A Hundred Million Die Together," "Burning Skies" 337-54. ôe Kenzaburô, "The Catch" 15-61. FILM: "The Purple Heart" One of the "10 Best" U.S. films of 1944 on the mock trial of captured Doolittle raiders in Tokyo; Darryl Zanuk prod., dir. Lewis Milestone. IV. War-Ending: Strategies and Tragedies How can conflicts so easily begun be ended? When the War came to Okinawa why didn’t it end? What did the A-bomb accomplish? What were the Japanese prepared to sacrifice before surrender? Who was responsible? 11. April 9 Lost Battles and the Divine Wind Readings: Cook&Cook Part IV Lost Battles "The Slaughter of an Army," "Sunken Fleet," "‘Special Attack’" 259-336, "The War Comes Home to Okinawa," "In the Enemy’s Hands" 354-373. Spector Ch. 9-20 complete (see week 7; again, skim if you must, but look carefully at operational areas mentioned in Japan at War); Haruko Taya Cook, "The Myth of the Saipan Suicides," MHQ 7:3 (Spring 1995) on reserve. Discussion: "One Hundred Million Die Together?" 12. April 16 The Atomic Bombs and the End of World War II Readings: Cook&Cook "A Terrible New Weapon" 382-400; Ôe, ed., The Crazy Iris, entire collection would be most desirable, but all must read the first four stories: Spector Ch. 23. Suggested: Ienaga Ch. 11 & Conclusion. FILM: "Hellfire: A Journey from Hiroshima" A 1986 documentary about two Japanese artists who paint about the world of horrors by J. Junkerman and J. W. Dower. General Discussion: "The Atomic Bomb and the End of the Pacific War" 13. April 23 The Conquerors Come and the Accounting Begins. FILM: "The Tokyo Trial" Documentary footage from the IMTFE Common Reading: Cook&Cook Part VI Unresolved War "Reversals of Fortune," "Crimes and Punishments," "The Long Shadow of War" 401-441; Dower Ch. 11. Suggested: Reader VIII; Shiroyama, War Criminal; Minear, Victor’s Justice. Benedict, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. Discussion: "Who was responsible? Generals, Admirals, Diplomats, Politicians, Emperor?" V. Past and Present History How have the experiences of war been transmitted to our own time? What are the themes of "Memory" we should consider when we examine our own time in light of what we now know about this war? 14. April 30 The Pacific War and Japan Today: Memories of a War Readings: Cook&Cook "Reflections," "Endings" 441-479. FILM: "Grave of the Fireflies" May 7: FINAL EXAMINATION SCHEDULED History 365-60, 8:00-9:45 p.m.
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