Asian Studies Courses

CHIN 101

Development of Mandarin language skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Essentials of grammar complemented by readings in literature and culture, with extensive practice in speaking.

JAPN 101

Development of basic language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Use of language laboratory.

CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II

JAPN 102 Elementary Japanese Ii

Development of basic language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Use of language laboratory.

CHIN 103 Elementary Chinese III

JAPN 103 Elementary Japanese Iii

Development of basic language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Use of language laboratory.

ASIA 114 Buddhism, Confucianism, & Shinto

This course will introduce the three major philosophical systems of East Asian thought: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism through their canonical texts. This historical approach will be supplemented by contemporary readings in each tradition. When taught as a component of the Japan Term, this course will pay special attention to the development of Japanese Buddhism, specifically Pure Land Buddhism (Amida Buddhism), Esoteric Buddhism (Shingon Buddhism) and Zen Buddhism (Soto and Rinzai).

ASIA 115 South Asian Religions

ASIA 131 Intro to East Asian Politics

ASIA 141 Premodern Histories of East Asia

This course explores the development of early societies in present-day China, Japan, and Korea up to the year 1600. Students will learn the basics of historical methodology and use primary sources to trace the transnational flow of technologies of state building, religion, and knowledge and cultural production before the modern period. Our exploration of this dynamic period will be focused on a question, event, document, or person that helps us encapsulate key themes in the region's historical development.

ASIA 142 Early Modern East Asia

This course explores the development of early modern states in East Asia, including the Qing empire in China, the Joseon dynasty in Korea, and the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan from 1600-1850. Students will learn the basics of historical methodology and use primary sources to explore what was "early" and what was "modern" about these different societies during the early modern period. Our exploration of this dynamic period will be focused on a question, event, document, or person that helps us encapsulate key themes in the region's historical development.

ASIA 143 Modern Histories of East Asia

This course explores the impact of empire and modernization in China, Japan, and Korea from 1850 through the present day. Students will learn the basics of historical methodology and use primary sources to trace the technological, ideological, and political consequences of the collision between the Qing-centered early modern world and a new globalizing system of imperial hegemony. Our exploration of this dynamic period will be focused on a question, event, document, or person that helps us encapsulate key themes in the region's historical development.

ASIA 195L East Asia 1600-1850

CHIN 201

Intermediate study of Mandarin Chinese. Reinforcement of grammatical understanding of the language while developing conversational fluency. Attention to oral and listening skills is combined with increasing emphasis on study of the Chinese writing system.

JAPN 201

Development of skills in spoken and written Japanese. Attention to Japanese culture.

CHIN 202

JAPN 202 Intermediate Japanese II

Development of skills in spoken and written Japanese. Attention to Japanese culture. 201 carries

CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese Iii

JAPN 203 Intermediate Japanese Iii

ASIA 205 Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism

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).

ASIA 209 Chinese Politic & Foreign Policy

CHIN 209 Chinese Politic & Foreign Policy

CHIN 211 Chinese Language and Culture in Film I

An intermediate level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

CHIN 212 Chinese Language and Culture in Film II

An intermediate level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

CHIN 213 Chinese Language and Culture in Film III

An intermediate level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

ASIA 220 Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Chinese Culture

CHIN 220 Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Chinese Culture

A theoretical survey of historical and contemporary relations between the Western world and the East, specifically China. Interdisciplinary in approach, this class investigates cultural interactions and classic Asian Studies theory through comparative analysis of diverse media, including: short stories, film, non-fiction, pop culture, and art forms. Topics such as colonialism, diaspora, appropriation of the Other, and trans-nationalism are also part of our focus.

JAPN 220 Japanese Popular Culture

Examines issues in contemporary life in Japan by focusing on the following forms of Japanese popular culture: pop song, enka, karaoke, manga (comics), anime (animation), video games, television drama, films, and idols (popular teenage singers and actors). Explores the forces by which Japan shapes itself in comparison with the U.S. and other countries, through different forms of pop culture.

ASIA 221 Women and Modern Chinese Literature

This course explores the crucial role that women played in shaping modern Chinese literature. We will make close readings of short stories, autobiographies, novel excerpts, and complete novelettes of mostly female writers, exploring the ideas, themes, and theories that they were exploring while breaking new ground. We will also be dissecting these readings through our own contemporary literary lenses as a means of expanding the students' skills of literary interpretation and criticism that will be a concomitant benefit to the expansion of the students' knowledge of China and both its literary and historical past.

CHIN 221 Women and Modern Chinese Literature

(In English translation) This course explores the crucial role that women played in shaping modern Chinese literature. We will make close readings of short stories, autobiographies, novel excerpts, and complete novelettes of mostly female writers, exploring the ideas, themes, and theories that they were exploring while breaking new ground. We will also be dissecting these readings through our own contemporary literary lenses as a means of expanding the students' skills of literary interpretation and criticism that will be a concomitant benefit to the expansion of the students' knowledge of China and both its literary and historical past.

ASIA 222 Japanese Popular Culture

Examines issues in contemporary life in Japan by focusing on the following forms of Japanese popular culture: pop song, enka, karaoke, manga (comics), anime (animation), video games, television drama, films, and idols (popular teenage singers and actors). Explores the forces by which Japan shapes itself in comparison with the U.S. and other countries, through different forms of pop culture.

ASIA 223 Chinese Popular Culture

This course takes a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary look at modern and contemporary popular culture in China. Through studying an array of popular and academic sources, we will explore food culture, trends in music, cultures of expression in physical and digital spaces, perspectives on celebrity and fandom in China, as well as the social factors surrounding new developments in dating culture. Historically, the course explores forms of popular culture as they were perceived at the time of their popularity. Theoretically, the goal is to understand how various pop cultural developments were informed by ongoing social and cultural dialogues operating domestically and internationally. This approach highlights the social geography surrounding Chinese pop culture, as well as the changing face of Chinese culture as a whole.

CHIN 223 Chinese Popular Culture

This course takes a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary look at modern and contemporary popular culture in China. Through studying an array of popular and academic sources, we will explore food culture, trends in music, cultures of expression in physical and digital spaces, perspectives on celebrity and fandom in China, as well as the social factors surrounding new developments in dating culture. Historically, the course explores forms of popular culture as they were perceived at the time of their popularity. Theoretically, the goal is to understand how various pop cultural developments were informed by ongoing social and cultural dialogues operating domestically and internationally. This approach highlights the social geography surrounding Chinese pop culture, as well as the changing face of Chinese culture as a whole.

ASIA 225 Introduction to Chinese Film

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.

CHIN 225 Introduction to Chinese Film

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.

ASIA 230 Immersive Taiwan I 0.5

CHIN 230 Immersive Taiwan I 0.5

ASIA 231 Immersive Taiwan II 0.5

CHIN 231 Immersive Taiwan II 0.5

ASIA 235 Contemporary Buddhism in SoutheastAsia

Southeast Asia is home to the strand of Buddhism known as "Theravada". What is included in this category and how do Southeast Asians who call themselves Buddhist actually practice this religion? How has Theravada Buddhist practice changed in recent years, and what has prompted these changes? After providing some historical background, including attention to the rise of Buddhist modernist movements, this course will examine the contemporary practice of Buddhism in Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as its connections with Buddhist practice in other parts of the world.

ASIA 237 Arts, Culture, Lands of South China 0.5

This course is a 1/2-credit fall term preparatory class for an immersion experience in southern China during winter break. Its approach is interdisciplinary, exposing students to local cultures through a variety of visual, performing, and literary arts inspired by this region, including painting, dance, theater, and other forms of expression such as poetry, folk tales, and historical narrative. Witnessing various urban, rural, natural, and cultural landscapes in Guilin/Yangshuo (in the southeast region) and Kunming/Dali (in the southwest region) offers diverse perspectives on China with special attention paid to minority culture. Students of all majors are strongly encouraged to enroll. Students enrolling in ASIA/CHIN 237 are required to also enroll in ASIA/CHIN 238 and participate in the December trip to China.

CHIN 237 Arts, Culture, and Landscapes of Southern China I 0.5

This course is a 1/2-credit fall term preparatory class for an immersion experience in southern China during winter break. Its approach is interdisciplinary, exposing students to local cultures through a variety of visual, performing, and literary arts inspired by this region, including painting, dance, theater, and other forms of expression such as poetry, folk tales, and historical narrative. Witnessing various urban, rural, natural, and cultural landscapes in Guilin/Yangshuo (in the southeast region) and Kunming/Dali (in the southwest region) offers diverse perspectives on China with special attention paid to minority culture. Students of all majors are strongly encouraged to enroll. Students enrolling in ASIA/CHIN 237 are required to also enroll in ASIA/CHIN 238 and participate in the December trip to China.

ASIA 238 Arts, Culture, and Landscapes of Southern China II 0.5

This course is only open to students who completed the December group travel to China after completing the fall term course "Art/Culture/Landscape of South China." Enrollment in this course will allow those students to complete and present their individual final projects based on experiences in China, and thus also receive credit for the travel component.

CHIN 238 South China Trip Project 0.5

This course is only open to students who completed the December group travel to China after completing the fall term course "Art/Culture/Landscape of South China." Enrollment in this course will allow those students to complete and present their individual final projects based on experiences in China, and thus also receive credit for the travel component.

ASIA 240 , 241 Japan Term I and II 0.5

An interdisciplinary study-travel program in Japan. During the Fall Term, participants will develop individual research/study projects in conjunction with other Japan-related courses on campus. Travel to Japan during the December Break will combine group activities and individual projects. Participants will complete their research projects during the winter term seminar.

ASIA 241 Modern China

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.

ASIA 242 Japan: from Samurai to Superpower

In little over a century, Japan changed from a divided and neglected country on the edge of Asia into a global economic and cultural superpower. This remarkable transformation offers many insights into the challenges and repercussions societies face as they undergo rapid modernization. This course surveys the experiences of Japanese society since the 1600s. It explores the decline of the samurai military elite, the rise of a new industrial economy, the clashes that resulted with its Asian neighbors and the U.S., and the reemergence of an ultra-modern society whose consumer products are known around the world.

ASIA 243 Japan Term Ii 0.5

ASIA 244 East Asian International Relations

ASIA 246 /346 Tokyo: Rise of a Megacity

How did Tokyo become the world's largest city? This course explores the rise of Tokyo from a small village to its current premiere status. We will examine how Tokyo became a political, social, cultural, and economic hub through study of three distinct historical phases--the era of the samurai, the modern/imperial age, and the global age. Readings and assignments include all levels of Japanese society while considering the social, geographic, and international conditions that made and continue to remake this city.

ASIA 263 Japanese Literature I

(In English translation) Japanese literature and poetry from antiquity to the early Meiji (mid-nineteenth century). A study of Japanese court poems, haiku, as well as novels and essays of the Heian period (794-1185), such as the tale of Genji, the historical novels of the succeeding era, the novels and plays of the Tokugawa era (1600-1868), and the literature of the early years of Meiji (1868-1911), when the influence of Western writers was beginning to be felt.

JAPN 263 Japanese Literature I

(In English translation) Japanese literature and poetry from antiquity to the early Meiji (mid-nineteenth century). A study of Japanese court poems, haiku, as well as novels and essays of the Heian period (794-1185), such as the tale of Genji, the historical novels of the succeeding era, the novels and plays of the Tokugawa era (1600-1868), and the literature of the early years of Meiji (1868-1911), when the influence of Western writers was beginning to be felt.

ASIA 270 Japanese Language and Culture

An examination of the relationship between the Japanese language and the cultural perceptions and dynamic interpersonal mechanism in Japan. After a brief overview of the historical background of the Japanese society and the predominant beliefs and key concepts about Japanese language and culture, this course will discuss such topics as family (uchi [in-group], soto [out-group]), gender (men's Japanese, women's Japanese, LGBT's Japanese), politeness (honorific, humble, neutral), gift-giving/receiving, and "loan words" from foreign languages, final-sentence particles, etc. by using various resources, such as films, documentaries, TV dramas, fashion magazines, anime, comic books, and on-line journals or blogs written by non-Japanese living or studying in Japan.

JAPN 270 Japanese Language and Culture

An examination of the relationship between the Japanese language and the cultural perceptions and dynamic interpersonal mechanism in Japan. After a brief overview of the historical background of the Japanese society and the predominant beliefs and key concepts about Japanese language and culture, this course will discuss such topics as family (uchi [in-group], soto [out-group]), gender (men's Japanese, women's Japanese, LGBT's Japanese), politeness (honorific, humble, neutral), gift-giving/receiving, and "loan words" from foreign languages, final-sentence particles, etc. by using various resources, such as films, documentaries, TV dramas, fashion magazines, anime, comic books, and on-line journals or blogs written by non-Japanese living or studying in Japan.

ASIA 273 Japanese Literature II

(In English translation) The course examines the novels and poetry from the Meiji era to the present, including the works of Mori Ogai, Natsume Soseki, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Tayama Katai, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, Nosaki Akiyki, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami.

JAPN 273 Japanese Literature II

(In English translation) The course examines the novels and poetry from the Meiji era to the present, including the works of Mori Ogai, Natsume Soseki, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Tayama Katai, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, Nosaki Akiyki, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami.

ASIA 295KK Queering Japanese History through Media

This course will examine the history of Japan through major works that address LGBTQ+ themes or were produced by LGBTQ+ authors. Organized around several units of study--including premodern ideas about sexuality and gender, changing attitudes towards these themes during the Tokugawa/early Meiji period, modern BL (Boy's Love), and LGBTQ+ movements in Japa--we will trace the history of themes surrounding these modern designations and analyze what they tell us about understanding Japan's past and present.

JAPN 310 Advanced Japanese Conversation/Reading

This course offers a bridge from intermediate to advanced Japanese. It is suitable for students who have competed JAPN 203 or students returning from study abroad programs. Course assignments will help students develop advanced proficiency in Japanese language in four fundamental language learning skills (i.e. speaking, reading, writing, and listening) while reviewing grammar points from first-year and second-year levels as needed. Students will acquire proper communicative skills in various social/cultural contexts (e.g. job interview).

CHIN 311 Chinese Language and Culture in Film I

An advanced level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

CHIN 312 Chinese Language and Culture in Film II

An advanced level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

CHIN 313 Chinese Language and Culture in Film III

An advanced level of Mandarin Chinese language study, delivered through a close examination of language used in Chinese TV and film. Students will use authentic media to expand vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, and common expressions, as well as improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Most lessons will contain a cultural element to accompany the language skills being developed.

ASIA 320 Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Chinese Culture

A theoretical survey of historical and contemporary relations between the Western world and the East, specifically China. Interdisciplinary in approach, this class investigates cultural interactions and classic Asian Studies theory through comparative analysis of diverse media, including: short stories, film, non-fiction, pop culture, and art forms. Topics such as colonialism, diaspora, appropriation of the Other, and trans-nationalism are also part of our focus.

CHIN 320 Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Chinese Culture

A theoretical survey of historical and contemporary relations between the Western world and the East, specifically China. Interdisciplinary in approach, this class investigates cultural interactions and classic Asian Studies theory through comparative analysis of diverse media, including: short stories, film, non-fiction, pop culture, and art forms. Topics such as colonialism, diaspora, appropriation of the Other, and trans-nationalism are also part of our focus.

CHIN 321 Women and Modern Chinese Literature

See description of ASIA 221. Additional research component and consent of the Instructor required for CHIN 321.

ASIA 321 Women and Modern Chinese Literature

See description of ASIA 221. Additional research component and consent of the instructor required for ASIA 321.

ASIA 363 Japanese Literature I

See description for JAPN 263. Additional research component and consent of instructor required for 363.

JAPN 363 Japanese Literature I

See description for JAPN 263. Additional research component and consent of instructor required for 363.

ASIA 370 Japanese Language and Culture

See description for JAPN 270. Students who enroll in ASIA 370 complete additional requirements.

JAPN 370 Japanese Language and Culture

See description for JAPN 270. Students who enroll in JAPN 370 complete additional requirements.

ASIA 373 Japanese Literature II

See description for ASIA 273. Additional research component and consent of the instructor required for ASIA 373.

JAPN 373 Japanese Literature II

See description for JAPN 273. Additional research component and consent of the instructor required for JAPN 373.

ASIA 399 Senior Project 1, 0.5

Preparation of an independent research project under the guidance of Asian Studies faculty members. Can be completed either over the course of two terms or in a single term during senior year.