Although the Tokugawa sought to maintain military, political, social and economic dominance of the central state in Japan between 1600 and 1868 by adopting policies conducive to maintaining the status quo, the policies they adopted often encouraged the very process of growth, change and development ("modernization") that they sought to inhibit. 

This research project asks you to analyze one particular arena (of your own choosing) in which the process of modernization proceeded despite Tokugawa policies designed to prevent change. 

HOW TO PROCEED

In picking a topic for research, first read through the suggested inquiry questions below that you might want to consider as part of your investigation. Then look through the list of suggested topics and appended bibliography to find a subject of interest.  Next move on to framing your topic choice appropriately.  [CLICK HERE for more on choosing a research topic.]

Next develop a "working bibliography" assuring you access to sufficient resources (considering books, articles and Internet web sites) to complete your inquiry satisfactorily. Be sure to consult the instructor for help and approval of your topic to avoid committing time and energy to too large a subject or one with insufficient material available in English on which to base meaningful analytical insights.  [CLICK HERE for more on assembling a working bibliography.]

DEADLINES

Note that your Research Essay Topic choice and Working Bibliography are due NO LATER THAN Tuesday, February 19, 2008 and must include among its MINIMUM OF SIX TITLES at least one instance each of an appropriate book title, a scholarly periodical article and an Internet web site. 

Do not include encyclopedia articles, general introductory surveys of Japan, overview web sites or history texts in your Working Bibliography. Although you should check out these sources as a point of departure for your research efforts, your Working Bibliography needs to convince the instructor that sufficient additional (and specifically applicable) resources exist for you to handle your chosen topic appropriately.

Your final essay (HIS 372: 9 - 12 pages; HIS 572: 12 - 15 pages) is due NO LATER THAN Tuesday, April 29, 2008. NO LATE ESSAY SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

EVALUATION STANDARDS

Your completed project will be evaluated according to a set of specific standards applicable to this particular research project. Be sure as well to consult the Department of History Style Sheet for information about standards applicable to any written work submitted as part of course requirements within the Department of History. 

Failure to abide by these standards may result in the Research Project being rejected as unworthy of evaluation by the instructor and returned ungraded. 

Consideration will also be given demonstrations of having acquired (and utilized) background / supporting information drawn from the course as a whole and having assembled sufficient specific resources from which to proceed. A demonstrated mastery of needed research (books / articles / Internet resources) and writing skills, and the use Internet skills involved in surfing / locating / citing / evaluating web sites will also be given considerable weight in the evaluation process.