Modern Japan 1868-2000: Transformation in Global Society

Professional Development Course

This 24-hour, four-session professional development course examines historical experiences in Japan from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the contemporary period (to 2000), during which Japan underwent a miraculous transformation from disorder and weakness to becoming a driving force in world events— a cultural, economic, political, and military power whose actions and activities are central to understanding the 20th and 21st century world. This two-credit course provides participants with the resources and skills to create and refine lesson plans for the middle and high school classroom.

2P credit is available from the NYC Department of Education for in-service teachers. To receive credit for CTLE or PD credit, participants must also register for this course on the ASPDP website.

Full Course Registration: $125/$110 Japan Society members (Please use "REGISTER" button above)
A la carte registration: $35/$30 members (Current educators are prioritized for registration)

$125 or $110 stipend available for NYC in-service teachers upon completion of P-credit course.
$250 stipend available for teachers who serve in NJ schools (required to participate in all 4 sessions).

Course Schedule

Saturday, October 13, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (A la carte registration: $35/$30 members. Register →)

• Overview: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
  The morning session will focus on the rise of Japan through the Meiji Restoration. Participants will examine the political, eco-nomic and social transformation in Japan. The creation of the constitution, centralization of state power and the creation of a national identity will all be explored. How Japan modeled and established its own styles in literature, art, music and architec-ture will also be addressed.
• Political Turmoil and Social Movements: Taisho Period (1912-1926)
  The afternoon session will examine the Taisho period, when Japan underwent significant political change, especially in terms of the development of increased citizen participation in the po-litical process. Participants will explore different political move-ments such as women’s rights and labor movements. Changes during Japan’s version of the “roaring twenties” will also be investigated, through topics such as how the democracy changed. Japan’s relationship to other countries before, during and after WWI will also be investigated.

Saturday, October 20, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (A la carte registration: $35/$30 members. Register →)

• Road to War
  Participants will explore how Japan entered WWII and the way Japan took over Asia in the context of global history. Partici-pants will have the opportunity to engage with a special guest lecturer from Japan and a US expert on the topic of the early Showa period in Japan. The lecture will focus on WWII and the effects it had on the Japanese economy and domestic life in the 1920’s and 30’s. Participants will also analyze different events including the Manchurian Incident, the Sino-Japan War and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Domestic Life and Culture during the War
  The afternoon session will analyze another perspective of Japan, before and during WWII with a focus on how Japanese domestic life changed due to WWII. The session will also examine how civic and private life was influenced by the progress of the Pa-cific War. Participants will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of domestic life by using examples from changes in education, propaganda on arts, literature, films and music.

Saturday, November 17, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (A la carte registration: $35/$30 members. Register →)

• End of WWII and Occupation
  The morning session will examine the decay of the end of WWII, including the impact of the fire bombing and the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan. Participants will engage in lecture and film viewings, which will examine two different perspectives of the end of WWII involving nuclear weapons. The occupation of Japan and its democratization under the guidance of the US and their updated relationship will also be examined.
• Workshop on Memorialization: Political and Public Meanings
  The afternoon session will be a workshop for participants to examine how and why important events are memorialized. Through examining various memorials to WWII, participants will have the opportunity to explore how to teach numerous im-portant issues, such as how various forms of media are used to establish how history is retold and remembered. Participants will have the opportunity to do hands on work to create their own memorial. Participants will also analyze the story of “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” as a case study.

Saturday, December 1, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (A la carte registration: $35/$30 members. Register →)

• Rapid Economic Growth
  Participants will investigate Japan’s economic miracle between the post-WWII period to the end of the Cold War in the 1960’s and 70’s. This session will examine the rapid growth Japan had to become the second largest economy in the world through the cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and banks. Participants will have the opportunity to hear first hand experiences of being a corporate business man at that time, from current Japan Society President and former President of Mitsubishi Corporation North America, Mr. Motatsu Sakurai.
• Economic Decline in Contemporary Japan (1991-2000)
  In the afternoon session, participants will continue to explore Japan’s period of economic stagnation called the “Lost Decade”. Participants will analyze the extent and measurement of Japan’s setbacks, the economic effect of the Lost Decade and how Japa-nese policy makers continue to grapple with its consequences 25 years later. By comparing the 1965 Olympics to the 2020 Olympics, participants will analyze Japan’s social and economic impact that the Olympics had and will have on the country.