AST 101 Introduction to Japanese I (JPN)

Instructor: Nathan Patton
Prerequisite: None
Offered: Typically every Fall Term

Introduction to Japanese as it is spoken in Japan today. Speaking and listening comprehension will be emphasized.
1 Course

AST 103 Introduction to Japanese III (JPN)

Instructor: Nathan Patton
Prerequisite: JPN 102 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Fall Term

Continued development of Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
1 Course

AST 122 History of China (HIS)

Instructor: Robert Foster
Prerequisite: None
Offered: Typically every Fall Term

China has one of the foundational civilizations in human history. It gave rise to social structures, political systems, and philosophies that deeply influenced the development of East Asia. Through close reading of documents, focused analytical writing, open discussion, and lecture, students will develop their own understanding of the evolution of China from its Neolithic origins to its present status as a world power. Fulfills International (Non-Western) Perspective requirement.
1 Course

AST 135 Religions of Japan (REL)

Instructor: Jeffrey L. Richey
Prerequisite: None
Offered: Typically alternate years

A study of the principal religious traditions of Japan: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto?. The course includes readings in the classical primary texts of each tradition as well as attention to ritual and practice. Fulfills International (Non-Western) and Religion Perspective requirements.
1 Course

AST 186 Japanese Politics (PSC)

Instructor: Lauren McKee
Prerequisite: None
Offered: As required by faculty/student interest

This course will explore and analyze the domestic political system of Japan as well as its regional and international politics. Beginning with a historical foundation in post-WWII democratic reconstruction, the course will cover topics such as governmental structure and elections, civil society, women’s roles in politics, international political economy, and foreign policy. Fulfills International (Non-Western) and Social Science Perspective requirements.
1 Course

AST 1XX Studies in World Art: Arts of East Asia (ARH)

Instructor: Ashley Elston
Prerequisite: None
Offered: As required by faculty/student interest

This course will consider the visual arts of East Asia from prehistory to the present. Moving from China eastwards through Korea to Japan, the course will explore the connections between the different rich visual cultures of East Asia as well as the ways in which East Asian art and architecture has interacted with global culture. A variety of types of art, including architecture, sculpture and painting, will be covered. In order to understand the meaning and importance of these monuments and art objects for the people who created them, the course will approach artworks in terms of their cultural and historical contexts, with reference to pertinent political, social, religious, and cultural institutions. Fulfills International (Non-Western) Perspective requirement.
1 Course

AST 2XX Kinship and Gender in Southeast Asia (SOC/WGS)

Instructor: Gordon Gray
Prerequisite: GSTR 210
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow

Southeast Asia is perhaps one of the most fascinating, yet often misunderstood, areas of the world. For instance, during the 1970s, US academics and policymakers predicted that the area would be one of the world’s trouble spots. Southeast Asia, it was predicted, would be wracked with strife between its constituent countries. While there has been much internal strife (Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia/Kampuchea, Indonesia, the Philippines, …), there have been few international incidents. Much of the basis for the aforementioned prediction is the array of peoples, religions, economies, and lifestyles that are located in Southeast Asia. This course seeks to introduce the students to this diversity through the issues that make up the title. Southeast Asia has certain social and cultural bonds that unify the area, and these too will be analyzed in this course.
1 Course

AST 286 The Nature of Reality, East and West (PHI)

Instructor: Jarrod Brown
Prerequisite: GSTR 210
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow

This course explores metaphysics from a comparative perspective.   Drawing on resources from classical Western philosophy and Indian and Buddhist debates, it explores questions such as “What is the fundamental nature of reality?”, “What is the nature of causation?”, “Do selves exist?” and “What are qualities?”  Attention will be given to careful, critical reading of a variety of texts, reconstruction of arguments, and developing the skills needed to make responsible philosophical comparisons.
1 Course

AST 323 Seminar in Japanese History: “Modern Japan: Empire, Occupation, and Identity” (HIS)

Instructor: Robert Foster
Prerequisite: AST/HIS 122 or 123 or permission of instructor.
Offered: Typically alternate years

This course examines the transition of Japan from a semi-feudal, warrior-dominated shogunate in the early nineteenth century, to a twenty-first century constitutional monarchy. As Japan opened to the West in its desire to remain uncolonized, the Japanese were confronted with the tension between maintaining traditions and adopting Western ideas. Through the term we will use a variety of sources (literature, film, secondary historical works, etc.) to examine this issue. Fulfills International (Non-Western) Perspective requirement.
1 Course

AST 401 Senior Seminar in Asian Studies

Instructor: Jeffrey L. Richey
Prerequisite: Senior standing, or permission of instructor
Offered: Annually

Through common readings and independent work, students will explore various views of Asia, past and present, from within Asia and from without. Through the common readings, students will deal with central questions regarding geographic visions of Asia, the reality or unreality of “Asia,” key issues for the region, etc. Through regular presentations of ongoing individual projects, students will learn from each other about diverse Asia-related issues. For example, one day, students might all read an address written by the President of the American Association of Asian Studies, followed by individual presentations on aspects of Shinto religion, followed by the politics of the partition of India, followed by current concerns with North Korea. The course is intentionally open-ended and free-flowing both to encompass specific student interests and to develop the ability to think broadly about Asia.
1 Course