Courses

East Asian Studies

See the course catalog for complete course descriptions.

Minor in Asian Studies: 5 courses

One semester of Chinese (or another East Asian language) beyond the general education requirement of three semesters. If a student has tested out of this course, an additional upper-level language course (200-level or above) will fulfill this requirement.

One introductory course from:

ARH71-024 Intro Art Hist: East Asian Art & Arch

This course provides an introduction to the disciplinary methods and concepts of art history, presented in the context of the art and architecture of China, Korea, and Japan. Emphasis will be placed on how the distinctive styles, genres, and traditions of each region emerged in relation to one another and in the context of a shared East Asian cultural heritage. Open only to first- or second-year students, or with consent of the instructor. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Annually) (FA) (WA)

HIS16-214 History of East Asia to 1800

This course introduces the East Asian civilization from its diverse beginnings to the eve of the modern age. Covering histories of regions of current nation-states such as China, Korea, and Japan, this course explores transregional processes that help define East Asia as a unit of historical inquiry. Major themes include political history, ethnic discourses and practices, the localization of Buddhism, indigenous religions, inter-state relations, urban life, gender, family, and intellectual change. These themes allow us to deliberate the formation of the East Asian world and the exchanges of the premodern era. Contributes to Early Modern Studies, East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (H)

Three additional East Asian courses from:
Note: Two of the three courses must be taken at the upper-level. No more than two courses can come from the same department. A course taken in the introductory course section cannot be used to satisfy a requirement in this section.

Art History

ARH71-024 Intro Art Hist: East Asian Art & Arch

This course provides an introduction to the disciplinary methods and concepts of art history, presented in the context of the art and architecture of China, Korea, and Japan. Emphasis will be placed on how the distinctive styles, genres, and traditions of each region emerged in relation to one another and in the context of a shared East Asian cultural heritage. Open only to first- or second-year students, or with consent of the instructor. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Annually) (FA) (WA)

ARH71-214 Arts of China

This course surveys the arts of China from the Neolithic to the contemporary period. Each lecture will consist of an in-depth examination of one of twenty-three landmarks of Chinese art. A variety of works will be considered including jades, ancient bronzes, calligraphy, Buddhist murals, landscape paintings, Chinese gardens, temples, contemporary works, and more. Each work will be examined in its historical context, introducing students to China's social and political history, as well as its major religious and humanistic traditions including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (FA) (WA)

ARH71-224 Arts of Japan

This course introduces the visual arts of Japan from the Neolithic to the late twentieth century. It will consider the development of the pictorial, sculptural and architectural traditions in light of themes such as religion, gender, cross-cultural exchange, and changes in socio-political life. Biweekly sessions will cover a range of subjects including ceramics, woodblock printing, ink painting, gardens, religious and castle architecture, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and contemporary works. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (FA) (WA)

ARH71-234 Ancient Chinese Art and Civilization

This course covers China's rich and complex ancient civilization, beginning in the Neolithic and concluding with the fall of China's first long-lasting imperial administration, the Han dynasty. It considers the development and trajectory of Chinese art and architecture in relation to the formation of local states, kingdoms, and the early Chinese empires. Topics covered include painted ceramics, jades, oracle bones, bronze vessels and bells, lacquer works, mummies, gold ornaments, stone shrines, early palaces and cities, silk, and much more. Art works will be studied in the archaeological context in which they were discovered and in relation to the material culture surrounding them. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (FA) (WA)

ARH71-264 Art in China Since 1911

This course presents an overview of the development of visual arts in China from the late 19th century to the present. Students will consider the ways that recent works created by Chinese artists responded to the turbulent politics of the 20th century, the global art market, and past traditions of Chinese art. Works in a range of mediums will be considered-from painting and calligraphy to architecture, film, and performance works. Contributes to East Asian Studies, Feminist Studies, International Studies, and Race and Ethnicity Studies/Allied Course. (Biennially) (FA) (WA)

English

ENG10-464 Speaking Across Languages

This is a course on translation theory that is open to monolingual and multilingual students, from inside and outside the English major. We will study Shakespeare in translation as well as the original, and modern poetry in English and in Spanish, as we explore important issues of translation theory. Contributes to Chinese, East Asian Studies, German, International Studies, Latin, Neuroscience and Spanish. May be repeated with change of topic. Prerequisite: English 10-244 or fluency in a second language. (H)

History

HIS16-214 History of East Asia to 1800

This course introduces the East Asian civilization from its diverse beginnings to the eve of the modern age. Covering histories of regions of current nation-states such as China, Korea, and Japan, this course explores transregional processes that help define East Asia as a unit of historical inquiry. Major themes include political history, ethnic discourses and practices, the localization of Buddhism, indigenous religions, inter-state relations, urban life, gender, family, and intellectual change. These themes allow us to deliberate the formation of the East Asian world and the exchanges of the premodern era. Contributes to Early Modern Studies, East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (H)

HIS16-224 History of E. Asia Since 1800

This course introduces students to the inter-related histories of China, Japan, and Korea since 1800 until the present day. Major topics include cultural exchanges, revolutions, war, imperialism, colonialism, and Cold War geopolitics. While globalizing forces oversaw the convergence of East Asia and European imperialism, politicians, intellectuals, and even commoners began to imagine themselves as members of distinct nations. By placing the emergence of East Asian nation-states and the interactions among them within the context of an increasingly connected world, we explore the making of the modern East Asian world. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (Biennially) (H)

HIS16-324 Topics in Asian History

Thematic courses with a focus on Asian history. May be repeated with change in topic. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (H)

HIS16-434 Nomadic Empires: Barbarians E. Eurasian

Branded as barbarians, nomadic groups across Eurasia (including the Mongols and Uyghurs) have often been cast as antagonists, minimized to the role of mere outsiders separated by the curtain of civilization, in the histories of their sedentary neighbors. This course puts the nomads of Eastern Eurasia on center stage in a multiethnic setting teeming with the exchange of sedentary and nomadic culture. By examining the nomadic way of life and mode of state building, we explore how nomads served as agents of change and influenced pre-modern Eastern Eurasia. Contributes to Early Modern Studies, East Asian Studies, International Studies, and Race and Ethnicity Studies. (Biennially) (H)

Political Science

PSC32-284 Japanese Politics, Culture & Society

This course explores the historical and cultural context of contemporary Japanese politics, the political institutions of the 1955 system, the policy-making process in post-war Japan, and the effects of the 1994 political reforms. This course is open only to first years and sophomores. Juniors and seniors may register with the permission of the instructor. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (ScS) (Comparative politics)

PSC32-624 Germany & Japan: Losers of World War II

This course compares democratic institutions, economic growth, and political culture in Japan and Germany in the postwar era. It also examines current challenges, including women in politics, nuclear power, immigration and regional dynamics. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. Prerequisite: Political Science 32-364 or 32-384, or permission of instructor. (ScS) (Comparative politics)

PSC32-644 The Chinese Cultural Revolution

This seminar explores the causes of the Cultural Revolution, the role of Mao and Mao Zedong thought, the experiences of various groups in society during the Cultural Revolution, and the effects of the Cultural Revolution on contemporary China. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. Prerequisite: Political Science 32-364 or 32-384, or permission of instructor. (ScS) (Comparative politics)

PSC32-654 Women and Politics in Europe and Asia

A study of women and politics in Europe and Asia from a comparative perspective. Explores the role ideology, institutions, culture and social movements play in creating opportunities and constraints for women in the political realm. Contributes to East Asian Studies, Feminist Studies and International Studies. Prerequisite: Political Science 32-144. (ScS) (SJ) (Comparative Politics)

Religion

REL19-284 Buddhist Traditions

A historical and thematic introduction to the central ideas and practices of Buddhism. The course takes a multi-disciplinary approach to central religious concepts and myths in classical texts and popular traditions, beginning with the historical Buddha and early developments in India, Sri Lanka and Tibet. The course surveys the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia and to other regions of the world, including North America. Ethics, gender issues, and social movements are explored. Contributes to East Asian Studies and International Studies. (H) (SJ)