John Sagers

Current Research Project

Tuesday, 19 January 2010 12:19 | Written by John Sagers |

Pursuing Profit and Virtue in Modern Japan: Shibusawa Eiichi's Entrepreneurial Ethics, 1870-1930

Shibusawa Eiichi

Almost alone among Meiji Japanese industrialists, Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931) is remembered for putting the national good above his personal interests. My current research project suggests that Shibusawa's enduring positive image was the result of a vigorous campaign that he conducted after his retirement from business in 1909 until his death in 1931. Through numerous lectures, study groups, and books like “The Analects and the Abacus,” Shibusawa defended capitalism in terms of Confucian ethics and promoted the “harmonization of economy and morality.” As Japanese nationalists attacked modern industry's focus on private profit in the 1920s and 1930s, Shibusawa worked hard to maintain his image as an ethical entrepreneur.

Consistently emphasizing Confucian themes of selfless service when telling his life story, Shibusawa clearly identified himself with the modern hope that one could be both ethical and wealthy. So successful was this campaign that books and study groups in Japan today continue to be devoted to Shibusawa's life and thought.

Last Updated (Saturday, 27 March 2010 07:44)

Essay Checklist

Thursday, 29 April 2010 14:33 | Written by John Sagers |

When writing academic essays, it may help to keep the following in mind:

Does the essay address all parts of the assigned question?
Does the essay have a title that is imaginative and gives the reader a sense of the essay's contents?
Is there a clear argument (a statement about reality that must be proven true)? Be sure to test thesis statement by assessing whether or not someone could plausibly take the opposite point of view.
Does the essay's introduction lead the reader from the general world to the specific topic and end with the thesis statement? Does the conclusion begin with a thesis restatement and lead the reader back to some general possibilities for future exploration?
Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence explaining to the reader how the paragraph's content supports the main idea of the essay?
Is there an appropriate balance of my own writing and concrete examples drawn from other sources?
Does the essay flow logically and smoothly from one idea to the next? Could the paragraphs be rearranged into a more logical order? Do the transitions between ideas and paragraphs need to be more explicit?
Is the essay's tone sufficiently formal and objective for academic work?
Are references to other people's ideas acknowledged with proper citations?
Have I read the essay aloud to alert myself to redundant statements, convoluted sentences, grammar and spelling errors, and other rough spots?
Has a friend read over the essay and pointed out unfamiliar ideas that need to be clarified for the general reader?

Last Updated (Friday, 30 April 2010 09:15)

Letters of Recommendation

Monday, 03 November 2008 11:55 | Written by John Sagers |

When asking professors for letters of recommendation, it may be helpful to keep the following in mind:

Which professors to ask: The most effective recommendations come from professors who 1) know your work well, 2) graded your work highly in the past, and 3) are knowledgeable about the program to which you are applying.

How to ask: Professors are happy to write letters in support of good students, but they need answers to these questions: To what program are you applying? Why do you think I am the best person to write the letter for this particular program? When is the deadline for submission of letters? (Ideally, you should be asking 3-4 weeks in advance.) Do I mail the letter directly or will you be picking it up to include in your application packet?

Supporting materials: To be persuasive, a letter of recommendation needs to be as detailed as possible. So, it is very helpful if you provide a copy of your transcript (unofficial is fine), a statement of why you are applying to a particular program, a list of your jobs and extracurricular activities, and a copy of a research paper you have written on a relevant topic. Imagine professors who want to support you, but need to know a lot more about your past work and future goals to write positive and persuasive letters. Then, provide all the information necessary to help them write those letters.

Last Updated (Friday, 30 April 2010 09:15)