Time Schedule:
Tetsuden Kashima
AAS 372
Seattle Campus
Comparative study of United States and Canadian internment camps incarcerating Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians during World War II. Focuses on early history, dislocation and internment, effects (disorganization and adjustments), effects on the internees and society, and present situation.
Class description
The internment of particular nationals in the United States from Germany, Italy, and Japan, and the incarceration of nearly an entire ethno-racial group, most of whom were citizens, is still a relevant issue today. Recent U.S. National Park Service designations have made two incarceration camps into a Historical Site and Monument; discussions are now underday for national or state recognition of the Bainbridge Island Eagledale Ferry Terminal. Likewise, the Canadian government removed almost all persons of Japanese ancestry in that country and placed them in deserted mining and ghost towns, road camps, and farm labor projects for the duration of the war. After the war, attempts were made to deport all Japanese Canadians; a move legally successful but politically difficult. This course will take a comparative approach to the internment and incarceration camps used to hold persons of Japanese ancestry in the United States and Canada during World War II. The course examines the pre-cursor events prior to December 7, 1942. Then we examine the events occurring during the War such as dislocation, internment of "enemy aliens," the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry on the mainland U.S. to include those brought from Latin American countries and the then Territories of Hawaii and Alaska. The comparative experience of the Hawaii Japanese Americans will be stressed. The effects of the incarceration is explored: disorganization and adjustment as experienced by the internees and inmates. Finally, we examine the post-World War II return and resettlement experience, the Redress Campaign and the present situation with respect to the yearly Day of Remembrance ceremonies held in many locations. New concepts will be introduced. There will be lectures, discussions, readings, video-tape/films.
Guest lecture(s): Prof. Greg Robinson, author of "By Order of the President"
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lecture, discussion, readings, video-tape/films.
Recommended preparation
A general knowledge of Asian American and Japanese American culture and history.
Class assignments and grading
A flexible approach: in-class examinations with/or a term paper. An optional field trip may be included, depending on student interest.
Exams and/or short paper.
