ASIA - Asian Studies
This is a comparative study of the main political, economic and social developments in the major countries of South Asia. Themes will include democratization, problems of economic development, the role of caste and religion, the causes of intrastate conflict and interstate conflict and the influence of global forces on the region.
The history of China covering late Imperial China, the impact of Western imperialism, the Republican Period, and the establishment of the People's Republic.
The history of Japan since 1800. The decline of the Tokugawa Shogunate, modern national building in the Meiji period, domestic conflicts and war in the twentieth century, and the roots of Japan's economic prominence today.
This course is designed for intermediate students who are interested in the theoretical and systematic study of world politics. The course first introduces students to several major theoretical approaches to the study of world politics and then applies these approaches to a number of major, contemporary issues--ranging from war and peace, conflict and cooperation, development and underdevelopment to global and national interests. This is a writing intensive course.
This course introduces students to several key religious traditions originating in Asia, such as: Hindu traditions in India; Confucianism, Daoism, and popular religion in China, Buddhism and Shinto in Japan; and Buddhist traditions of China, Tibet, and Mongolia. Students will read and analyze primary sources in English translation. By examining artifacts from literature, art, and poetry, students will also learn about cultural history. Throughout the course, we will be employing hermeneutical methods in the field of religions studies, such as methods of comparisons.
An introduction to the architecture, sculpture, calligraphy, pottery, ink, painting, miniature painting, and gardens of India, China, and Japan. Emphasis will be placed on the connections among the cultures: Buddhism and pilgrimage, the importance of the scholar painters, the role of trade routes and the emergence of native writing.
A study of selected topics designed for nonmajors or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule and will be more fully described in information distributed to academic advisors.
A study of origins of the Chinese revolution; development and functions of the Chinese Communist Party; government institutions; the defense establishment; evolution of foreign policy; and post-Mao political and economic reforms.
As a required course for the Asian Studies major, the course helps students synthesize the knowledge they have learned from the undergraduate courses, write a capstone research paper and present the paper in class. This is a writing intensive course.
This course is designed for small groups of qualified students to conduct advanced study of selected topics on Asian Studies, topics which may not be taught in regularly scheduled classes. The description of the course for each offering will appear in the course schedule booklet that is distributed to each advisor.
This course is designed for small groups of qualified students to conduct advanced study of selected topics on Asian Studies, topics which may not be taught in regularly scheduled classes. The description of the course for each offering will appear in the course schedule that is distributed to each advisor.