HJAK0100FU War and Peace in Asia in the Twentieth Century (F20)

The following topics will be treated:

1. What is Asia?  – An introductory session or two outlining the region (with special attention to maritime and continental regions) and the rational for having a course that covers it. In practice the course will cover East, South East and parts of South Asia (which still leaves the Middle East, Central Asia and – former – Soviet-Asia). Periodization will also be discussed. “Twentieth century” might be understood as a “long” century, in that relevant developments in the 19^th century will briefly have to be outlined (such as the enforced opening of Japan and subsequent Meiji reforms); European perceptions

2. Empires, national states, colonization, independence.

3. The First World War in Asia and its Aftermath

4. The Second World War in Asia; the rise and fall of the Japanese empire

5. Regionalism in the Wake of the Second World War

Other topics will (at least in part) depend on student interests, but are likely to include the following:

• Independent states: conflict and cooperation
• Internal conflicts
• The Cold War – including the Korean War and the Vietnam War in this context
• The post-Cold War era
• The “East Asian Peace”

A final session (or two) to summarize what developments in the 20^th century mean for present conditions and what challenges Asia is currently facing.