A Wesleyan Student's Guide to Fascism: The Case of Modern Japan
CEAS 395
Fall 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
WLIT 395 |
| Course Cluster and Certificates: Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory Certificate |
"Fascism" is a term that is frequently encountered in social and political discourse. But what does this term actually mean? How can we conceive productively of different fascisms across different historical moments and (geo)political contexts--including our own? This course will consider fascism in modern Japan, and address the economic, (geo)political, social, and cultural circumstances that incited what we will call "fascist desire" in Japan's imperial moment and beyond. But while the specific experiences and characteristics of historical fascisms are informed by the unique contexts within which they unfold, including Japan's, fascism as phenomenon can never be reduced to national or cultural particularities, or confined to isolated historical moments. As one possible reaction to the experiences of modernity, that is, the specter of fascism is always with us, everywhere. By engaging with primary and secondary texts--scholarship, music, literature, film--that variously analyzed, challenged, bolstered, and critiqued fascism in the context of modern Japan, students will learn to recognize the specter of fascism in their own lived, everyday contexts, and grow in their ability to confront and counter the conditions and desires that help nourish it. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CEAS |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of East Asian Studies Minor)(College of East Asian Studies)(Social, Cultural and Critical Theory Certificate) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
The readings for this course will be compiled in a course pack. Primary texts may include historical writings by Ienaga Saburo and Harry Harootunian, reflections on fascism and everyday life from Tosaka Jun and Slavoj Zizek, fictional work from Mishima Yukio and Natsume Soseki, and others. Multimedia materials (film, music) will also be assigned and made available through the course Moodle page. Course materials will change from year to year; refer to course syllabus for a comprehensive list of the materials to be covered.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Reflection/reaction papers, in-class presentation and discussion leading, final research project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students are responsible for all readings, and for completing any preparatory listening or viewing tasks as assigned. All textual materials will be provided in English translation. No prior knowledge of Japanese language or Japanese culture is required to succeed in this course. |
| Instructor(s): Aalgaard,Scott Times: .M..... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 3 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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