Catalog 2020-2021

Asian Studies

Teaching Faculty

Faculty Contact: Sprunger

Description

Minor in Asian Studies

  • 6 courses from the list below with no more than 2 courses from the same discipline and no more than 2 Asian language courses     
                ANTH 385 Anthropology Special Topics*
                ASIA 191  East Asian Popular Cultures
                ASIA 204  Asia through Role-play
                ASIA 350 Topics in Asian Studies
                CHIN 110 Beginning Chinese I
                CHIN 120 Beginning Chinese II
                CHIN/ASIA 190 Chinese Martial Arts Novels and Films
                CHIN 210 Intermediate Chinese I
                CHIN 220 Intermediate Chinese II
                CHIN/ASIA 290 Gods Demons and the Supernatural
                CHIN/ASIA 295 Topics in Chinese Literature
                CHIN 310 Advanced Chinese I
                CHIN 320 Advanced Chinese II
                ENGL 397 Vietnam in the Literary Imagination
                HIST 160 Origins of East Asia
                HIST 244 Modern China
                HIST 246 Modern Japan
                HIST 291 Japan and World War II in Asia
                HIST 292 The Two Koreas
                HIST 293 Korea: The Forgotten War
                HIST 306 Crime and Punishment in East Asia
                HIST 307 Gender and Society in East Asia
                HIST 309 Ecology and Culture in East Asia
                HIST 360 Vietnam and the 60s
                JAPN 100 Japanese Language and Culture
                PHIL 250 Philosophies of India
                PHIL 260 Philosophies of China and Japan
                POLI 440 Advanced Topics in International Relations*
                RELI 111 Asian Religions: An Introduction
                RELI 218 Buddhist Contemplation
                RELI 223 An Introduction to Hinduism
                RELI 225 An Introduction to Buddhism
                RELI 235 Leadership in a Multi-Faith World
                RELI 280 Issues in Religious Studies*
                RELI 334 Buddhist Sacred Biographies
                RELI 410 Topics in Asian Religion
  • At least 2 courses selected from the above list must be at or above the 300-level.

*Must have a substantive and geographic focus on countries of Asia or the region. Must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Minors Program Chair in consultation with the Asian Studies faculty representative.

Note: Contact the Interdisciplinary Minors chair about possible substitutions for transfer or study abroad credits.

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Asian Studies Courses

ASIA 190

Chinese Martial Arts Novels & Films

This course is taught completely in English with no prerequisite. In this course students study a specific genre and motif, “gods, demons and the supernatural,” in Chinese traditional and contemporary literature. By reading this genre and motif, this course provides students a strong foundation to understand Chinese traditional cultures through Chinese traditional thoughts and religious beliefs, as well as to comprehend modern Chinese cultures which are influenced by both Chinese traditional cultures and Western ideologies. Cross-listed as CHIN 190.

Literary Studies LS
ASIA 191

East Asian Popular Cultures

This course introduces select aspects of 20th century East Asian popular cultures, such as popular music, film, television shows, cartoon and comics, Internet, etc. We will discuss various issues that emerge in reference to popular culture, for example: what is popular culture; how do people respond to or “consume” it in their daily lives; and how gender, class, race and other kinds of social identities are imagined and contested in popular culture.

Literary Studies LS
ASIA 204

Asia through Role-play

This course introduces Asian cultures, including values and history, to students through role-play games. Through reading historical and philosophical texts closely, students understand Asian traditional cultures and values and play roles of historical characters to relive the critical historical moments in Asian history. The games are elaborate and competitive and allow multiple outcomes. Possible game topics include Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor (1587), Japan, Pan-Asianism, and the West (1940-41), Defining a Nation: India on the Eve of Independence, 1945, etc.

Historical Perspectives HP
Values, Beliefs and Ethics VA
ASIA 290

Gods Demons and the Supernatural

This course studies a specific genre and common motifs, "gods, demons and the supernatural", in Chinese traditional and contemporary literature. "Literature" includes works of poetry, philosophical writings, classical tales, vernacular short stories, fiction, and drama. Through reading this particular genre, students understand and critically analyze Chinese literature in its own historical, cultural, social and intellectual background. This course is taught completely in English. Cross-listed as CHIN 290.

Literary Studies LS
Values, Beliefs and Ethics VA
ASIA 295

Topics in Chinese Literature

A topics course in Chinese literature. This course explores various genres, movements, literary periods or topics in Chinese literature. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught. Cross-listed as CHIN 295.

Literary Studies LS
ASIA 350

Topics in Asian Studies

A seminar course whose topics utilize approaches from a range of disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary teaching and research interests of faculty. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught.

Back to Program Course Listings

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