Write an essay that links three of the following items, one from each of the groups A, B & C. List the three terms chosen at the top of the essay. Exams will be rewarded for critical imagination (defining your theme or thesis in a new and/or interesting way), analytical insight, logical argumentation and use of evidence from texts, lectures, and videos/films.

Put Option Number and Title at the top of the essay. For Option 1, list terms chosen
Between 750-1000 words (approx. 3 – 4 pages)–include a word count at the end
– Times 12 point font, double spaced

– 1-inch margins

– Carefully proofread for all grammatical and spelling errors

– Paraphrase or use brief quotations–don’t waste word count on lots of big block quotes–

use it for your own ideas instead.

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OPTION 1: Write an essay that links three of the following items, one from each of the groups A, B & C. List the three terms chosen at the top of the essay. Exams will be rewarded for critical imagination (defining your theme or thesis in a new and/or interesting way), analytical insight, logical argumentation and use of evidence from texts, lectures, and videos/films.

GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C

Tokugawa Shogunate Russo-Japanese War Pearl Harbor

Sonn Ji* Taish Democracy Hiroshima

Meiji Restoration Japan’s Colonies Occupation of Japan

Bunmei Kaika** Second Sino-Japanese War Postwar High speed Economic Growth

Notes:

* Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarian”

**Civilization and Enlightenment

OPTION 2: Select one of the following identities of travelers to Japan or the Japanese empire and write a letter, diary, travelogue or report that chronicles your life and travels in Japan. Provide details on your own identity. Use course materials and your imagination to provide specific details of different historical individuals you meet, the conversations you have with them, what you do during the course of your days, items in the news, and aspects of Japanese culture and society you are experiencing,

Merchant in late 1850s in Yokohama (pre-Restoration after opening of treaty ports)
Foreign advisor to Meiji or prefectural government in 1870s-1880s
Christian missionary in Korea during Japanese colonization (1910-1945)
Member of SCAP forces during the American Occupation (1945-1952)
Businessman visiting Japan during the 1960s or 70s

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