История Кореи

This part of the course concentrates on Korean history starting from its early periods, prior to the 17th century, social and intellectual developments, domestic order and relations with China. It then proceeds to discuss the 18th and the 19th century placing a particular emphasis on the emergence of the independence movement of the late-19th century as well as Korea's contacts with the outer world, in particular, with China, Russia and Japan, which all have a significant influence over Korea at the time. Among other topics, the following issues are addressed: modernization in Joseon Korea and failed reforms, the last days of Joseon Korea and the start of the Japanese occupation of Korea.

История Японии

Japanese history from the early periods through to the early 20th century. Japanese civilization before the 17 century: a recap. Periodization of Japanese history: eras prior to Tokugawa. Tokugawa shogunate in Japan. Feudal state and military government of Japan in 1600-1868. From national unification to a new political order. Foreign relations in the age of sakoku. Meiji Japan: a case of effective modernization. Domestic reforms and the end of the ancien regime. Post-Perry political struggle and collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Meiji reforms and rapid westernization. Japan from Black Ship to Meiji Restoration. Unequal treaties and Meiji diplomacy. First steps toward territorial expansion. The First Sino-Japanese War and its repercussions. This part of the course ends with the Russo-Japanese War and assessing its origins, course and consequences. Russian, Japanese and international receptions of the war in politics and culture are discussed as well.

Восточная Азия в 20-21 вв.

History of China, Japan, and Korea throughout the tumultuous 20th century. The topics center around major 20-century developmets in East Asia. Political liberalism in Taisho Japan: party politics in the early-20th century. The place of East Asia in the war and the reverberations of the conflict in the region. East Asia in the Interbellum. 1920-1930's in China, Japan, Korea. The Pacific War: historical background and causes. Manchukuo and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Campaigns and theatres of the war, final stages and the surrender of Imperial Japan. The aftermath of the war. Japanese colonial rule in Korea and Taiwan. Japan during the Allied Occupation. The Cold War in Asia, the Korean war. The Hundred Flowers Campaign; the Great Leap Forward; the Cultural Revolution in China. China’s external relations following those developments. The Sino-Soviet Split and its consequences. 1970-1990's onwards in China, Japan, and the issue of the two Koreas are also addressed. This part of the course aims to trace the history of these actors through to the end of the 20th century.