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College of Arts and
Sciences
Course Descriptions
C050. Introduction to Asian Religions (3 s.h.) FS
Not open to those who have taken Religion C053 or 0107.
Introduction to the major Asian religious, philosophical, and
cultural traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism,
Shinto) with emphasis on the cultural roots of each religious
tradition, the analysis of its principal teachings and practices,
and the major cultural expressions in religious art, ritual,
poetry, music, and scriptures. (Cross-listed with Religion C050.)
C084. Chinese and Japanese Literature in Cultural
Context (3 s.h.)
An introduction to classical and modern Chinese and Japanese
literature. Materials include literary texts, general readings,
and films. Special attention will be given to similarities and
differences in Chinese and Japanese culture. (Cross-listed with
Critical Language C084.)
C086. East and South Asia (3 s.h.) FS
Introduction to the natural environments and diverse contemporary
societies that comprise East and South Asia. Emphasis on such
topics as poverty, economic development, and social conditions in
India, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as China, Japan,
and Korea. (Cross-listed with GUS C086.)
0115. Introduction to East Asia: China (3 s.h.) S
Within the context of larger processes of socioeconomic and
cultural change, this course examines the development of
characteristic institutions and thought in traditional China and
revolutionary transformation in the modern era. This approach is
designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of
state, society and culture in China, the major themes of Chinese
history, and more generally, broad processes of social change.
(Cross-listed with History 0115.)
0116. Introduction to East Asia: Japan (3 s.h.) F
A survey of Japanese history to the 20th century. Topics include
the early centralized state, the rise of aristocratic culture,
the emergence of the warrior class, and the modern transformation
into an urban, industrial state. Course materials include
selections from Japanese literature and films. (Cross-listed with
History 0116.)
0122. Introduction to Buddhism (3 s.h.) S
Introduction to the historical development of Buddhism in
relation to other East Asian religions. Topics include the Four
Noble Truths of Basic Buddhism, the Hinayana-Mahayana controversy
over Buddhist Dharma and practice, as well as the development of
Buddhist thought throughout Asia. (Cross-listed with Religion
0122.)
0153. Religion in Non-Western Cultures (3 s.h.) S
Cross cultural study of religious beliefs and practices in
primitive societies. Magic, witchcraft, shamanism, ancestor
worship, animism, totemism, mana, taboo, myth revitalization, and
world view. Theories of the origin, development, social and
psychological functions and configurations of religious behavior.
0161. Japanese Religions (3 s.h.)
An introduction to Japanese religions, their origins and
development in the social, cultural and intellectual history of
Japan. Religions covered are: Shinto, Japanese Buddhism, folk
religions, Japanese Confucianism, and the "New
Religions." Some attention to expression of Japanese
spirituality in the fine arts, martial arts, festivals and
rituals. (Cross-listed with Religion 0119.)
0162. Religions of India (3 s.h.) F
An introduction to the foundations, nature and principles of
classical Hinduism. An introduction to the fundamentals of
Buddhism and Jainism. (Cross-listed with Religion 0106.)
0165. Chinese Religions (3 s.h.) F
Critical study of the development of Chinese religions from the
time of Confucius to Mao, including the problem of ideological
continuity in contemporary China (Maoist Marxism versus
Confucianism). (Cross-listed with Religion 0116.)
0166. Chinese Buddhism (3 s.h.)
The history and schools of thought and practice of Buddhism in
China, from the introduction of Buddhism in China from India and
its interaction with the classical religions of China
(Confucianism, Taoism), to the rise of the major schools of
Chinese Buddhism (Tien Tai, Hua Yen, Chan (Zen), and Pure Land).
(Cross-listed with Religion 0118.)
0167. Japanese Buddhism (3 s.h.)
Introduction to classical thinkers of Japanese Buddhism: Kukai,
Dogen, Shinran, Nichiren, Hakuin. Schools covered are: Shingon,
Pure Land, Soto Zen, Rinzai Zen, Nichiren.
0168. Introduction to Zen Buddhism (3 s.h.)
This course surveys the historical development of Zen Buddhism as
it unfolds in India, China and Japan, and focuses on the
examination of the nature of satori experience. Analyzes its
existential meaning from perspectives of therapy, Zen practice,
and philosophy. (Cross-listed with Religion 0115.)
R190. Asian-American Experiences (3 s.h.) F
An introduction to the varied historical and contemporary
experiences of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, South, and
South Asian immigrants and their descendants in the United
States. Explores economic, social, political, and cultural
developments, beginning with the arrival of the Chinese in the
1830s and ending with the experiences of Asian-American
immigrants and their communities today. (Cross-listed with
American Studies R136 and History R237.)
0220. Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868 (3
s.h.)
Memoirs, poetry, and novels are among the genres studied in this
survey of classical Japanese literature. Readings include The
Tale of Genji and Chushingura. (Cross-listed with Critical
Language 0220.)
0221. Survey of Japanese Modern Literature (3 s.h.)
The focus in this survey of modern Japanese literature is on
novels and short stories. Authors include Tanizaki, Kawabata, and
Mishima. (Cross-listed with Critical Language 221.)
0223. Ideology and Social Change in Japan (3 s.h.)
A sociological look at the conditions which have contributed to
Japan's emergence as a world-class economic force. How do
culture, social organization, life style, ideology and global
political change fit together and react to affect Japan's rapid
rise to power? Is Japan a closed society? What significance do
factors such as racism, religion, education, family, the
military, class, and population changes hold for understanding
what happened in Japan and in Japan's relations with outsiders,
particularly the U.S.? How does this analysis affect the future
of American sociology? (Cross-listed with Sociology 0297.)
0230. Metropolitan Tokyo (3 s.h.)
The growth and development of Tokyo, past and present. The course
includes a profile of the city's many neighborhoods, economic
activities, architecture, and challenges for urban planners.
(Cross-listed with GUS 0228.)
0240. China: Politics and Revolution (3 s.h.) S
Contemporary Chinese government and politics, together with a
survey of the political history of China in the 20th century.
Emphasis is on the evolution of the political system and
political culture through successive periods of reform and
repression. (Cross-listed with Political Science 0236.)
0241. East Asia and the United States (3 s.h.) F
An introduction to the international relations of countries of
the Pacific Rim. Major focus on their political, strategic, and
economic relations with the United States, plus attention to
domestic factors affecting their foreign relations. (Cross-listed
with Political Science 0238.)
0250. Peasant Societies (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: An introductory course in anthropology or
consent of instructor.
The concept and models of peasantry and a discussion of kinship
types, technology, tradition and subsistence in peasant
societies. Case studies from the North Atlantic, Mediterranean,
Latin American, Slavic, and Southeast Asian regions.
0253. Japanese Culture (3 s.h.)
Introduction to traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.
Topics covered include: early literature, aesthetic principles as
expressed in art and architecture, religion, gender roles,
Japan's shifting relationships with the outside world, rural
communities and urban centers in the 20th-century, and the
construction of the self in modern Japan. (Cross-listed with
Anthropology 0273.)
0254. The Anthropology of Modern China (3 s.h.)
This course provides an introduction to the culture and society
of the contemporary People's Republic of China. The first half of
the course explores the dramatic changes in both rural and urban
sectors of Chinese society since the turn of the century, with a
particular focus on post-1949 Maoist and post-Mao socialist
transformations. The second half of the course examines such
topics as gender and the status of women, ethnic minorities,
religion and healing, the self and society, the Party and the
state, and P.R.C. narratives of modernity. Throughout, the P.R.C.
will be examined as a society which embodies a distinctively
Chinese synthesis of tradition and modernity. (Cross-listed with
Anthropology 0274.)
0256. The Vietnam War (3 s.h.)
An attempt to probe in-depth one of the most significant and
controversial episodes of recent American history. The history of
Vietnam since the 19th century with heaviest emphasis on the
period of direct United States involvement, 1965-1973. The impact
of the war on the domestic and international scenes and its
multiple legacies. Television and film from the period,
interviews, and guest speakers. (Cross-listed with History 0256.)
0260. Introduction to Islam (3 s.h.) F
Analysis of the tawhid, essence of Islam, of its basic categories
for religious life, law, theology, literature, philosophy, art,
and science. Survey of the major phenomena of Islamic
civilization in their relation to tawhid. (Cross-listed with
Religion 0200.)
0290. Indian Philosophy: An Introduction (3 s.h.) S
The course will cover the beginnings of Indian philosophical
thinking in the hymns of Rig-Veda and the Upanishads and the
major schools of Indian philosophy as they took shape during the
next thousand years. The latter include the Samkhya, the Buddhist
Schools, the Vaisekia, the Nyaya, and the major Schools of
Vedanta. Issues in metaphysics, epistemology, and logic will be
specially emphasized. (Cross-listed with Philosophy 0268.)
W300. Seminar in Asian Studies. (3 s.h.)
Topics and presentations to be decided between student and
faculty member. (Capstone W course)
0303. Special Topics in Asian Studies I. (3 s.h.)
Requirements arranged with Director of Asian Studies.
This course provides an Asian Studies cross listing for topics
courses in other departments when they have Asian Studies
content. Also can be used for directed readings in Asian Studies.
0304. Special Topics in Asian Studies II. (3 s.h.)
This course provides an Asian Studies cross listing for topics
courses in other departments when they have Asian Studies
content. Also can be used for directed readings in Asian Studies.
Requirements arranged with Director of Asian Studies.
0305. Independent Study. (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Permission of Asian Studies Director.
Directed reading and/or research on a specific topic in Asian
Studies.
0308. Origins of the Chinese Revolution. (3 s.h.) F
The history of China from the Opium Wars to 1919. Topics to be
discussed include the decline of the traditional order, the
impact of imperialism, the rise of nationalism, the revolution of
Sun Yat-sen, and socio-cultural ferment. (Cross-listed with
History 0321.)
0310. Contemporary China (3 s.h.) S
The rise of nationalism, social-cultural changes, and revolutions
since the late 19th century. Developments after 1949 in detail.
(Cross-listed with History 0322.)
0311. Japan's Response to the West (3 s.h.) F
An interpretive survey of Japan's interaction with the West since
1800. The Shogunal legacy, the growth of nationalism, the emperor
system, domestic policies and foreign relations; social,
economic, and intellectual changes. Special attention given to
Japanese-American relations including examination of Japan's road
to Pearl Harbor. (Cross-listed with History 0326.)
0312. Southeast Asia in Modern Times (3 s.h.) F
Covers the histories of mainland Southeast Asian countries, i.e.,
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma, from the 18th
century until modern times. Will analyze the roles of culture,
trade, religion, and monarchy in the state formation of those
countries; the socio-economic and political impact of Western
colonialism; and the subsequent rise of forces of change, such as
nationalism and communism. Mainland Southeast Asia's role in
world politics and economy will also be analyzed. Reference will
be made to recent events taking place in the region.
(Cross-listed with History 0328.)
0313. Topics in Southeast Asian History (3 s.h.) S
Covers the histories of insular Southeast Asia, i.e., Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, from the 18th century
until modern times. It will analyze the roles of culture, trade,
religion, and monarchy in the state formation of those countries;
the socio-economic and political impact of Western colonialism;
and the subsequent rise of forces of change, such as nationalism
and communism. Insular Southeast Asia's role in world politics
and economy will also be analyzed. Reference will be made to
recent events taking place in the region. (Cross-listed with
History 0329.)
0314. Japan Today (3 s.h.) F
An analytical survey of political, economic, social, and
intellectual conditions in Japan today. An examination of post
W.W. II reforms and reconstruction, the nature of political
leadership and participation, economic growth, social change,
intellectual trends, and foreign relations of contemporary Japan.
Special emphasis on changing Japanese-American relations.
Readings include representative postwar Japanese novels in
translation. Audiovisual materials used. (Cross-listed with
History 0330.)
0315. Women and Society in Japan (3 s.h.) S
Analysis of the changing positions of women in Japanese society
from ancient times to the present. Through lectures, discussions,
and audiovisual material, we will explore the fascinating worlds
of goddesses, female diviners, empresses, the classical female
writers, women in warrior culture, women in industrializing
Japan, and Japanese women's movements. (Cross-listed with History
0337.)
0317. Women and Society in Modern Asia (3 s.h.) F
Introduces and compares the recent historical experience of women
in Asia-principally in China and Japan. Major topics include
women and the family, women and work, and women as creators and
activists. The course focuses on the situations of rural as well
as urban women, and ordinary as well as elite women in the late
19th and 20th centuries. (Cross-listed with History 0334.)
0318. 20th Century India (Mahatma Gandhi to Indira
Gandhi) (3 s.h.) S
Major political issues are colonialism, nationalism, non-violent
political struggle, independence and adjustment, regionalism and
tension, leadership in a third world movement, relations with the
U.S.A. Social issues include coping with inequality, population
explosion, hunger, regional violence, and new popular
organizations. Major personalities: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharal
Nehru, Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan, Sri
Aurobindo. (Cross-listed with History 0332.)
0320. Literary Chinese/English Translation I (4 s.h.)
(Cross-listed with Critical Language 0368.)
Return to the list of courses.
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