AST 123 History of Japan (HIS)
Instructor: Robert W. Foster
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Japan has developed from an isolated chain of islands at the edge of East Asia into a modern economic giant. Through close reading of documents, focused analytical writing, open discussion and lecture, we will examine the complexity of the culture that gave rise to Zen Buddhism, the samurai, and Japan’s current position as one of the world’s most powerful economies. Fulfills International (Non-Western) Perspective requirement.
1 Course
AST 135 Religions of Japan
Instructor: J.L. Richey
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
A study of the principal religious traditions of Japan: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shintō. 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 206 Introduction to Asian Cinema
Instructor: Gordon Gray
Prerequisite: GSTR 110 or waiver
Offered: Typically every other year (next offered spring 2022)
Asian cinematic traditions have produced some of the most famous and accomplished directors ( such as Japan’s Kurosawa and Ozu or India’s Satyajit Ray), some of the largest audiences (Bollywood films have immense global audiences), as well as unique artistic visions and styles (the Chinese “Fifth Generation” of filmmakers). Beyond these issues, viewing cinema also tells us much about the cultures in which those cinematic products were produced. Therefore, the films viewed also tell us much about Japan, India, China, and the cultural, aesthetic, and dramaturgical traditions of those countries. To that end, students will critically view a series of Asian feature films and then provide analysis of these films via three term time 5-8 page reviews that include topics, themes, and subject matter relevant to the particular films and of relevance to their major.
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AST 249 Topics in Asian Art: Modern Art of the Indian Subcontinent (ARH)
Instructor: Eileen McKiernan Gonzalez
Prerequisite: GSTR 210
Offered: Typically every other year
This course considers the development of twentieth century art in the Indian Subcontinent (modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal). The region is incredibly diverse religiously, culturally, and politically and is marked by British colonial rule. Artists have explored the interactions of modern art centered in Europe with forms indigenous to their culture and region. Themes central to this course are modernity and globalization, cultural and religious identity, and their effects on nationalism in the aftermath of partition and to the present. 1 Course
AST 286 Hindu & Buddhist Philosophy (PHI)
Instructor: Jarrod Brown
Prerequisite: GSTR 210 or waiver
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
This course is a survey of the philosophical traditions of Vedic (“Hindu”) and Buddhist South and Southeast Asia. Students will be introduced to some of the major schools of thought, central primary texts, important thinkers, and contemporary philosophical discussions through exploring and reflecting upon the debates between Vedic and Buddhist philosophers on topics such as the nature of the self, theories of consciousness, metaphysics, and philosophy of language. Fulfills International (Non-Western) Perspective requirement.
1 Course
AST 286 East Asian Politics (PSC)
Instructor: Lauren McKee
Prerequisite: GSTR 210 or waiver
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
This course will examine the inter- and intra-state politics of the East Asian region, focusing specifically on mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, and the Koreas. The first section highlights East Asia as a region, introducing some common themes such as historical memory, cultures, and the process of state building. The second section focuses on the institutional arrangements, political development, and leadership of individual states. The third section examines the economic development of the region and the roles of states in this process. Finally, students will also examine U.S.-East Asian foreign relations to consider the U.S.’s future role in the region.
1 Course
AST 323 Seminar in Japanese History (HIS)
Instructor: Robert W. Foster
Prerequisite: AST/HIS 122 or AST/HIS 123 or junior standing
The goal of this course is two-fold. Through examining a key period in Japanese history students will develop both a deeper appreciation for Japanese employ in analyzing complex societies. By reading key primary documents and secondary material from important historians, students will develop a picture of the way social, economic, political, and cultural issues interact and shape the period, May be repeated for credit, provided the topic differs from those studied previously. World Culture (Non-Western) component of the International Perspective.
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CHI 102 Introduction to Chinese II
Instructor: Jianfen Wang
Prerequisite: CHI 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Continued emphasis on Chinese oral/aural and written communication skills.
1 course
CHI 210 Intermediate Chinese IV
Instructor: Jianfen Wang
prerequisite: CHI 103 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Continued emphasis on Chinese oral/aural and written communication skills.
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EDS 286 Introduction to Foreign Language Learning & Teaching
Instructor: Jianfen Wang
Prerequisite: Two terms/one year of foreign language study
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
This course intends to help students develop (1) an inter-disciplinary understanding of the role language plays in human communication, (2) basic skills of teaching English to speakers of other languages, and (3) a better knowledge of the English language. This will be achieved through reading, talking, and hands-on activities, including making, implementing and evaluating lesson plans and course materials, observing language learners, reporting and reflecting on teaching and observations.
1 course
JPN 102 Introduction to Japanese II
Instructor: Nathan Patton
Prerequisite: AST/JPN 101 w/ C or higher or Permission of Instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Continued emphasis on Japanese oral/aural communication skills and an introduction to the Japanese written language.
1 Course
JPN 210 Introduction to Japanese IV
Instructor: Nathan Patton
Prerequisite: AST/JPN 103 w/ C or higher or Permission of Instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Completion of the two-term intermediate level of Japanese language instruction; continued practice of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, fully integrated with culture.
1 Course