Description
This module provides students with a solid understanding of the politics of Japan by analysing various political, social, economic and environmental issues which have shaped the island nation. The module will encourage students to look beyond stereotypes and learn about the politics of Japan in a nuanced, contextualised way.
Japan is classed alongside North America and Europe as part of the developed world, yet Western imaginaries of Japan are a prime example of an exoticising, Orientalist discourse. With this contradiction in mind, this module investigates Japan's modernisation with an emphasis on how it managed the transition from a closed country to one of the world's pre-eminent economies. In doing so, the module will touch upon Japanism as a form of Orientalism, deconstruct narratives of Japanese exceptionalism and contextualise its politics in both international and domestic frames, paying particular attention to a multi-layered and anti-hegemonic reading of Japan.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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