Course Descriptions

ASIA 141 Introduction to Chinese Civilization (1)
This course is a preliminary introduction to Chinese civilization, beginning with the archaeological record and extending to the nineteenth century. This course will focus on a few themes and a few approaches instead of providing a comprehensive survey of the history of Chinese civilization. The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the development of Chinese tradition and the complexity of its culture by looking in depth at the following questions: what forces came together to produce Chinese civilization and how did they contribute to the formation of the notion of "Chineseness" over time? What were the roles of intellectual or philosophical thinkers in the development of Chinese cultural tradition? How can literature reveal details of the way people lived, the values they held and the ideas they followed? Cross Listing : HIST 141; Staff

ASIA 142 Introduction to Japanese and Korean Civilizations (1)
This course surveys the history and culture of the Korean peninsula and te Japanese archipelago to 1700. It examines the two distinct political entities and two distinct civilizataions that arose in these areas, as well as the shared history of cultural interaction and adaptation. Reading and analysis of primary sources will draw on the rich mythological, religious, philosophical, and literary traditions. Cross Listing : HIST 142; M.Schneider;

ASIA 205 Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism (1)
This course is an introduction to Buddhism, with specific emphasis on Japanese Buddhism. To these ends, it will canvass the principal tenets of Buddhism, namely, the four noble truths, the eight-fold path, dependent originations, the no-self, karma, etc., in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. It will then consider the development of Japanese Buddhism from the Asuka (552-645 CE) through the Kamakura Periods (1185-1332 CE) by examining the rise of particular sects within Japanese Buddhism (Nara Schools, Tendai, Shingon, Pure Land, and Zen). Cross Listing : PHIL 205; W.Young;

ASIA 220 The Chinese Literary Tradition (1)
This course is an introduction to the rich literary tradition of China. It explores major literary genres such as poetry, historical narrative, drama, and vernacular fiction in pre-modern China. All readings are in English translation.Staff

ASIA 225 Introduction to Chinese Film (1)
This course is an introduction to Chinese cinema in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with emphasis on the ways film represents China, Chinese identity, cultural heritage, and Chinese modernity The course will include weekly film viewings and in-class discussion.Staff

ASIA 235 Globalization and East Asian Culture (1)
This course explores the contemporary global and intra-regional cultural interactions in East Asia. It will examine the applicability of recent theories of globalization in the East Asian region, with special focus on consumerism, popular culture, and migration, drawing on material from Korea, Japan, and China. Although we will review the history of the encounters between the West and East Asian countries since the late 19th century, the focus will be the impact of contemporary interactions on the region. Prereq : At least one course in Anthropology/Sociology or Asian Studies; Cross Listing : ANSO 235; Y.Park;

ASIA 236 Ethnography of Southeast Asia (1)
This course uses ethnographic inquiry to study the diverse nations, ethnicities, religious traditions, and cultural processes that comprise contemporary Southeast Asia. Highlighting the way Southeast Asia has always been deeply connected to other parts of the world, it considers the legacy of colonialism, religious and social transformations, internal and external migration, the consequences of tourism, and the role of global capital in local economies.HSS; DV; Cross Listing : ANSO 236; N.Eberhardt;

ASIA 241 Modern China (1)
A survey of political, social, economic and intellectual history of China since 1800 with emphasis on the twentieth century. Topics include the changes in late imperial society, Western imperialism, the concept of revolution, the response of major world powers to China as a revolutionary power, and the struggles of contemporary Chinese society. HSS; Prereq : one course in history; HIST 140 is recommended; Cross Listing : HIST 241; M.Schneider;