HIS 211 - Modern Asian History

1. Evaluate the social, cultural and political histories and customs of the various East and Southeast Asian peoples
   1. Discuss the rise of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism and Islam and the roles they played in the various cultures
   2. Investigate the impact of ethnic diversities and treatment of minorities in Southeast and East Asian societies
   3. Assess the causes for interaction between the cultures including isolationist practices
   4. Explain “Orientalism’s” effect upon Western attitudes toward the region
   5. Analyze the impact of early Western incursions into these cultures
   6. Discuss the growth of commerce in East and Southeast Asia
2. Discuss the significance of the Meiji Restoration in Japan
   1. Explain the causes of the Meiji Restoration
   2. Discuss the impact of the Meiji Restoration upon Japan and its neighbors
   3. Understand the changes the Meiji Restoration brought about to Japanese societal struggle
   4. Explain the rapid rate of Japanese modernization
3. Critique the significance and impact of changing ideologies including nationalism and communism
   1. Contrast competing claims of imperialism in Southeast Asia with Thailand’s independent resistance
   2. Identify and discuss the reasons for the rise of nationalist movements
   3. Assess the motivations and struggles of Ho Chi Minh and Sukarno
   4. Explain the causes of the Qing Reforms in China
   5. Assess and discuss the appeal of Marxist-Leninism in East and Southeast Asia, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines, Cambodia, and others
   6. Discuss the reactions of Western powers to the rise of Asian nationalism
4. Assess the cultural works in East and Southeast Asia and their impact upon their respective societies
   1. Identify the cultural struggles between European occupiers and indigenous cultural movements in Southeast Asia
   2. Identify and discuss the contributions of Lu Xun and Kita Ikki
   3. Discuss the reasons for and the motivations of the New Cultural Movement
   4. Explain the significance of the “Golden Age of Chinese Capitalism
   5. Discuss the influence of Japan’s “Angry Young Men” in relationship to Kita Ikki
5. Assess the transformation of the Pacific Rim and the impact of Japanese-American relations prior to and during the Second World War
   1. Examine China’s experience with the West at the turn of the 20th century
   2. Analyze Japan’s involvement in Western Affairs at the turn of the century through the First World War
   3. Discuss the reasons for Japan’s aggressive actions in Asia after 1920
   4. Explain the significance of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines
   5. Assess the political, social, and economic changes created by the United States’ post-Second World War occupation of Japan
   6. Discuss Japan’s motivations for the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere
   7. Assess American attitudes toward the Japanese, Chinese, and colonized Asians during and immediately following the Second World War
6. Interpret the new post-Second World War Asian reality
   1. Appraise the new “two Koreas”
   2. Identify the causes for Japan’s post-war recovery and commercial rise
   3. Explain the post-war internal Chinese struggle
   4. Explain the impact of the Korean War on the region
   5. Discuss the changes in the Japanese political system after the Second World War
   6. Analyze the “creation” of Southeast Asia as a region and the struggle with national interests
   7. Discuss the role of women in East and Southeast Asia
7. Analyze and discuss the reasons for the post-war economic growth and industrialization in East and Southeast Asia
   1. Discuss the causes for Taiwan and South Korea’s industrial growth and successes
   2. Discuss the significance of Confucian philosophy on Asia’s “New Capitalism”.
   3. Assess the Asian methods of corporate management, the role of culture, and “timing”
   4. Assess the significance and successes of the “Newly Industrialized Economies” (NIE’s).
   5. Identify the impact of international organizations such as ASEAN and SCO on the economic and social performance of the region
8. Evaluate the changes in China during and after Mao Zedong
   1. Discuss the political reforms of Mao Zedong and their effects upon Chinese society
   2. Identify Chinese political, economic and societal imperatives
   3. Assess the significance of China’s democratic transition
   4. Analyze the changes in post-Mao China
   5. Critique the changes in post-Deng China
9. Evaluate the rise of democratic movements among Asian peoples
   1. Assess the progress of democratic movements in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines
   2. Identify the legacy of “Pork Barrel Democracy” in the Philippines
   3. Discuss the determinates of democratic change on political culture, ethnic rivalries, and socioeconomic development
   4. Assess and discuss the rapid economic growth in South Korea as it relates to increasing political freedom and self-determination
10. Assess the impact of American attitudes toward Asia from 1776 through the Cold War
    1. Analyze the earliest interactions between China and America post-Independence
    2. Identify the causes for the American “loss of China”.
    3. Discuss the transfer of power from a colonial legacy to that of self-governance
    4. Summarize the rivalry in Asia during the Cold War
    5. Assess the impact of American occupation in Japan and Asia after the Second World War
    6. Assess the significance of the Korean War on the United States and Asian nations
    7. Evaluate the causes and significance of the Vietnam War
    8. Discuss the strategies of “containment” in Asia
    9. Assess the significance of the United States opening relations with China
11. Predict American’s future as a Pacific nation
    1. Discuss the impact of Asia’s economic growth upon the world economic markets
    2. Assess the significance of Asian immigration to the United States
    3. Discuss the reasons for the United States new direction in Asia
    4. Define the idea of “Charting” and “Pivoting” regarding economic and political trends
12. Evaluate the significance of Russia’s role in Pacific Asia today
    1. Discuss the role of Pacific Asia in relation to Glasnost
    2. Discuss the geographical, historical and new myths Russia has in regards to Asian peoples
    3. Assess Russia’s claim for Far Eastern identity
    4. Analyze recent Russian leaders’ relationship with Asia through bilateral agreements and IGOs