Asian Studies Courses

Courses in Asian Studies

Introduction to Chinese Culture

This course introduces the elements of contemporary and traditional Chinese culture. It provides students with a fundamental yet diverse knowledge of China and its culture through examination of its manifestations: political, religious, social, cultural, and economic. Topics include history, traditional belief systems, society, languages, arts and literature, performance traditions, daily life and customs, ethnicity and gender issues, science and technology, business and government.

Introduction to Taoism

Through a close reading of the classic of Taoism Tao te ching in the context of its antiquity (around the 7th century BCE) and in its contemporary applications in politics, aesthetics, arts, gender relations, violence and peace, and power and authority, students will learn one of the three major schools of thought in China. Particular attention will be paid to the philosophical and cultural issues that influenced not only Chinese but also many other Asian and Western cultures.

Topics in Asian Studies

Topics in Asian Studies.

First-Year Seminar in Asian Studies

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of Asia. Open only to first-year students.

China on Screen

Through viewing and discussing cinematic films, students will learn to appreciate how China has been presented as a nation and a culture by generations of Chinese directors from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other cultural enclaves and by current film critics, both Chinese and western. Topics include the history of the Chinese film industry, major genres in Chinese cinema, the issues of cultural hegemony, as well as cinematic constructions of "so-called" Chinese gender, nationhood and individuality.

Classical Chinese Literature

This course outlines Chinese literature from the beginning to the Tang dynasty (618-907). From some of the most beloved and celebrated literary texts, we will glean the ageless enigmas of the Warring States sophists, the whimsical wisdom of Chinese hippies of the Bamboo Grove, and the anomalies and the fantastic from poetesses (both male and female) of China's Golden Age, the Tang dynasty. In seven themes, we will explore major genres and sub-genres of Chinese literature, including poetry (e.g., "the music bureau," "classical poetry,' and 'lyric meters'), prose (e.g., historical and philosophical), and fiction (e.g., 'describing anomalies' and 'romances'). We will learn and experience how politicians and common people in China over 2,500 years ago thought, felt, and lived. How did the ancient Chinese achieve immortality, behave in courtship, eavesdrop on a love affair, express their emotions, and criticize one another? Amazingly enough, many of the answers are as contemporary as scenes in a Hollywood movie today. No knowledge of Chinese is required.

Traditional Japanese Literature

A survey of Japanese literature, in English translation, from the eighth to the 18th century. Works from a variety of genres (poetry, plays, novels, diaries) are examined.

Modern Japanese Novelists

A study, in translation, of major Japanese novelists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Natsume Soseki (Kokoro), the Nobel Prize winner Kawabata Jasunari (Snow Country), Murakami Haruki (Sputnik Sweetheart) and Hoshimoto Banana (Kitchen).

Topics in Asian Studies

Usually a course on aspects of one of the societies and cultures studied in the Asian Studies program (India, China and Japan) or a comparative treatment of aspects of these cultures.

Topics in Asian Studies

Typically examines selected themes, genres or periods in Chinese, Japanese or Indian literature. May also explore issues and/or periods in Chinese, Japanese or Indian cultural and intellectual history. Prerequisite: One of the following courses - ARTH 133, ARTH 134, ARTH 135, ARTH 234, ASIA 140, ASIA 197, HIST 107, HIST 108, POLS 253, REL 130, or REL 253

Directed Readings in Asian Studies

Independent study for majors or, by permission of the instructor, for students with significant coursework in an aspect of Asian Studies.

Asian Studies Senior Seminar

Required of majors in Asian Studies. Normally taken in the fall semester of the senior year.