Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Alexis Dudden

History 494
Spring 2004
Wed. 1-3:45
(writing intensive)

This seminar explores issues of history and memory in Japan’s and the United States’ recent pasts. In particular, we focus on the problem of how to write about the events, legacies, and futures of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You will keep a journal throughout the semester, writing 2-3 pages per week and one or two of you will lead the class discussion. At the end of the term, you will rework your journal into a 20-page review essay.

Books

Hachiya Michihiko, Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of a Japanese Physician
Ienaga Saburo, The Pacific War, 1931-1945
Iris Chang, The Rape of Nanking
Gar Alperovitz, The Decision to Use the Atom Bomb
Mark and Kiyoko Selden, The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Roland Barthes, Writing Degree Zero
John Whittier Treat, Writing Ground Zero
Michael Hogan, Hiroshima in History and Memory
Kai Bird, Hiroshima’s Shadow: Writings on the Denial of History
Navajo Oral History Project, Memories Come to Us in the Rain and Wind
William Haver, The Body of this Death (selections)

Films
Hellfire: A Journey From Hiroshima (1986) John Junkerman
In the Name of the Emperor (1994) Nancy Tong
Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Alain Resnais

(Jan. 21)
Introduction and division of labor
Hellfire (film)
(Jan. 29)
Hachiya Michihiko, Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of Japanese Physician
(Feb. 4)
Ienaga Saburo, The Pacific War
(Feb. 11)
Iris Chang, The Rape of Nanking
Nancy Tong, In the Name of the Emperor
(Feb. 18)
Gar Alperovitz, the decision to use the atomic bomb
(suggested video) Hiroshima: Why The Bomb Was Dropped (ABC, 1995)
(Feb. 25)
Roland Barthes, Writing Degree Zero
(Mar. 3)
Mark and Kyoko Selden, The Atomic Bomb: Voices
(Mar. 10) - Guest
(Mar. 31)
John Whittier Treat, Writing Ground Zero
(suggested) Hiroshima: The Legacy (Films for Humanities, 1987)
(Apr. 7)
Hiroshima Mon Amour (film)
(suggested) Marguerite Yourcenar’s Hiroshima Mon Amour
(Apr. 14)
Michael Hogan, ed. Hiroshima in History and Memory
(Apr. 21)
Kai Bird, Hiroshima’s Shadow
Navajo Oral History Project, Memories Come to Us in the Rain and Wind
(Apr. 28)
William Haver, The Body of this Death
(May 5)
Final discussion

“We live on the Brink of War.” Jamese Thurber