The aim of this unit is to give the student a useful and orderly historical perspective on modern Japan. The treatment of topics will be sequential, starting with a brief discussion of the archaeological record and its current significance. The unit will then go on to treat the major periods of Japanese history as they are known by educated Japanese now, but with attention also to matters that throw conventional periodisation and historical interpretations into question. Themes touched on throughout the unit will include the formation and the evolving conceptions of Japan; relations between Japan and the continent; patterns of social organisation and political power; and major cultural achievements.