131-463 World War Two in Asia and the Pacific

This is an advanced seminar.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in history.

This subject examines the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific fought between Japan and the Allies from the start of Japanese aggression against the Western powers in December 1941 to surrender in 1945. The primary aim of this subject is to explore the larger strategic, political, economic, military, diplomatic, social, technical, and human factors that influenced the course and eventual outcome of the conflict. The impact that the war had on the states and individuals, both soldiers and civilians, involved in the conflict will also be examined over the course of the seminar. Finally, significant attention will be paid to the important historiographical issues associated with the Pacific War such as the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan, the question of race and the conduct of the war, and the role of intelligence and logistics played in the war, some of which have become controversial in light of recent scholarship both in Japan and the West.

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A research essay proposal and bibliography of 500 words 10% (due mid- semester) and a research essay of 4500 words 90% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available.