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East Asian Studies Curriculum
Major
11 courses.
Required Courses:
1. JPNS 211, 212 or CHIN 211, 212 (or equivalent)
2. EASN 101
3. One course that focuses on an East Asian country that is not the focus of language study
4. One EASN 300-level Colloquium
5. EASN 490 (senior research)
Electives:
1. Three humanities courses focusing on East Asia (including one literature course)
EASN 201
EASN 202
EASN 203
EASN 205
EASN 305
ARTH 208
ARTH 210
RELG 130
RELG 230
RELG 330
PHIL 246
2. Three social science courses focusing on East Asia
EASN 206
EASN 207
EASN 208
EASN 306
EASN 259
ANTH 232
COCV 105 (when topic is relevant)
HIST 120
HIST 361
HIST 215 (when topic is relevant
HIST 404 (when topic is relevant)
INBM 200
INBM 300 (when topic is relevant)
LAWP 259
POSC 190 (when topic is relevant)
POSC 254
POSC 255
POSC 259
POSC 290 (when topic is relevant)
Other courses on Asia with departmental consent
NOTE: Two upper-level language courses (JPNS 231/232; CHIN 231/232) may be substituted for one elective from the humanities (but not literature) and one elective from the social sciences.
Minor
Six courses including two language courses in Japanese or Chinese beyond the 100-level and at least four other East Asian courses, one of which could be an advanced language course. Students already proficient in Chinese or Japanese through the 232-level must take, as at least one of their six courses, a language course appropriate to level of proficiency. In addition, and for all students, one of the six courses should be either EASN 101 or a course that includes the country that is not the focus of language study.
Honors in the Major
Any consideration for Honors in East Asian Studies takes GPA within the major and overall GPA into account but is neither precluded nor guaranteed by them. Oral presentations, fielding of questions, and the exhibition of an overall mastery of the research subject and its context comprise the major criteria for the awarding of Honors. On the basis of a composite of these factors, the EASN faculty may decide to award honors to deserving students. Announcements of Honors will occur at Commencement exercises.
Courses
101 Introduction to East Asia
An interdisciplinary study of East Asian civilizations. The course provides a framework for understanding by introducing students to traditional social and cultural patterns in East Asia and to the variety of transformations that have taken place there.
This course fulfills the Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
201 Chinese Literature
This course is a survey of Chinese literature from 3000 years ago to the present. By looking at its origin in ancient myths, folklore and Taoist philosophy; examining the impact of Confucianism, Buddhism and certain historical events; tracing the development of genres and literary traditions, and sampling masterpieces, students will get an overview of Chinese literature and become familiar with the major writers in both premodern and modern periods.
This course fulfills the DIV I.b. distribution requirement and Comparative Civilization graduation requirement.
202 Japanese Literature
This course is an introduction to Japanese literature from the earliest times to the present. While introducing great works and important genres of Japanese literature (in English translation), the course will explore various issues central to this literature, such as love, death, national identity, nature, gender and literary genre, while placing the works in their historical and cultural contexts.
This course fulfills the DIV I.b. distribution requirement and Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
203 Topics in East Asian Literature
Selected topics in East Asian Literature; e.g., Chinese Women in Literature, Modern Japanese Literature, Pre-Modern Japanese Literature.
This course fulfills the DIV I.b. and Comparative Civilizations distribution requirements.
205 Topics in East Asian Humanities
Selected topics in East Asian humanities: e.g., Japanese Women, Modern China through Film, Women's Images in Chinese Film, Japanese Architecture.
This course fulfills the DIV I.a. or DIV I.c. distribution requirement, depending on topic and the Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
206 Topics in East Asian Society
Selected topics in East Asian society: e.g., Modern Japanese Culture, Chinese Society, Chinese Emperors, The Chinese City.
This course fulfills the DIV II social sciences distribution requirement and Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
259 Law, Politics, and Society in Asia
This course examines the interaction between law, legal institutions and citizens in China, Japan and India. Covering history and the contemporary scene, the course focuses on how law works in practice and is understood and used by ordinary people in Asia. It covers areas such as marriage and divorce, the legal profession, lost property, civil rights, the environment, sexuality, mediation, land development and property, among others. Comparisons between the United States and Asia, as well as between Asian countries, will be emphasized.
This course is cross-listed as POSC 259 and LAWP 259.
305 Colloquium in East Asian Humanities
Intensive discussion of topics in East Asian Humanities. Designed for majors and for non-majors who have taken courses in related fields. This course satisfies the Comparative Civilizations and, depending on the topic, Division I.A. or Division I.C. distribution requirement. Topics include: Chinese Culture in "The Dream of the Red Chamber", Strange Stories from a Chinese studio, Issues of Identity among Asian-Americans, the films of Akira Kurosawa, Images of Japan in the West, Issues of Love and Gender in Modern Japanese Literature, Kyoto School Philosophy, Japanese Landscape Architecture.
Prerequisite: East Asian Studies majors and non-majors who have taken courses in related fields or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
306 Colloquium on East Asian Society
Intensive discussion of topics on East Asian Society. Designed for majors and for non-majors who have taken courses in related fields. This course satisfies the Division II and Comparative Civilizations distribution requirements. Topics include: Beijing and Shanghai: A Tale of Two Cities, Sino-Japanese Wars, Chinese Emperors, the Chinese Diaspora, Marriage Laws in Modern China, Meiji Restoration, Aristocracy in Ancient Japan, Samurai Culture, Japanese Constitutions.
Prerequisite: East Asian Studies majors and non-majors who have taken courses in related fields or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the DIV II distribution requirment and Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
310 Interpreting the Chinese Cultural Revolution
This seminar examines the varying approaches and methodologies scholars have adopted in studying the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976), one of the most important political events in modern Chinese history. While the course does cover some history, its approach is mainly analytical to formulate effective research results. How can we know if a certain methodology is appropriate? How have primary and secondary sources been used to understand this complex event? The goal is to teach students about what happened during the Cultural Revolution and how scholars have studied it.
Prerequisite: 101. This course fulfills the DIV II social sciences distribution requirement and Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement. Offered every two years.
The following course is offered in China:
207 China Practicum
An intensive in-country introduction to Chinese culture and society. The course is particularly suited to students who have not had a chance to take two years of Mandarin Chinese language instruction and/or are not able to take advantage of the College's semester or year-long program in China. The course will introduce students to various aspects of Chinese society and culture and will link classroom study to outside-the-classroom and on-site experiences. The latter will include academic excursions to places of historical and cultural interest as well as to institutions like factories, schools, businesses, community organizations, and recreation areas that exemplify contemporary Chinese life. Course content will vary with the particular expertise and interests of the instructor(s) and curricular needs.
This course fulfills the Comparative Civilizations graduation requirement.
The following course is offered in Japan:
208 Japan Practicum
An intensive in-country introduction to Japanese culture and society. The course is particularly suited to students who have not had a chance to take two years of Japanese language instruction and/or are not able to take advantage of the College's semester or year-long program in Japan. The course will introduce students to various aspects of Japanese society and culture and will link classroom study to outside-the-classroom and on-site experiences. The latter will include academic excursions to places of historical and cultural interest as well as to institutions like factories, schools, businesses, community organizations, and recreation areas that exemplify contemporary Japanese life. Course content will vary with the particular expertise and interests of the instructor(s) and curricular needs.
This course fulfills the DIV II social sciences and Comparative Civilizations distribution requirements.
Chinese
Minor
Five courses: Four Chinese language courses beyond Intermediate CHIN 212. One additional 300-level (or higher) Chinese language course or one non-language East Asian course on China.
NOTE: The Chinese minor is open to non-East Asian Studies majors only.
*101, 102 Elementary Chinese
A study of the fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese, including grammar, reading, and writing using both traditional and simplified characters, pinyin romanization, pronunciation, and conversational skills.
*211, 212 Intermediate Chinese
An enhancement of the oral and written skills of elementary language study. In addition, students will learn to use dictionaries to translate original literary works. Extra conversational work will be included, geared to understanding and participating in Chinese culture.
Prerequisite: 102, or the equivalent.
*231, 232 Advanced Chinese
Advanced reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of the Chinese language for students who have completed Chinese 212. This course aims to enhance the students' understanding of Chinese culture and introduce them to issues in contemporary China through reading and discussion.
Prerequisite: 212 or the equivalent.
*361, 362 Advanced Chinese II
Reading of selected literary works by modern Chinese writers and articles from Chinese newspapers and magazines. These courses involve more sophisticated conversation and composition on important social, political, and economics issues in China.
Prerequisite: 232 or permission of the instructor.
380 Topics in Modern Chinese Reading
The course covers a selected topic or selected topics, such as Chinese literature, culture, politics, economy, education, ethnicity, law, and history. It analyzes the readings with focuses on both the topic(s) and the language. It advances students' speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in specific subjects while broadening their background and native knowledge in these areas too. It can be taken more than once when the topics are different.
Prerequisite: 362 or the equivalent. This course fulfills the WR graduation requirement.
Japanese
Minor
Five courses: Four Japanese language courses beyond Intermediate JPNS 212. One additional, 300-level (or higher) Japanese language course or one non-language East Asian course on Japan.
NOTE: The Japanese minor is open to non-East Asian Studies majors only.
*101, 102 Elementary Japanese
These courses establish the basic language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing. These courses also provide students with a brief overview of Japanese culture.
*211, 212 Intermediate Japanese
The aim of these courses is the mastery of the basic structure of Japanese language and communicative skills. The student will have an opportunity to get to know more of Japanese culture.
Prerequisite: 102 or permission of the instructor.
*231, 232 Advanced Japanese
The emphasis in these courses is placed on enhancing the students' fluency and acquiring increasingly creative skills through composition, oral presentation and discussion.
Prerequisite: 212 or permission of the instructor.
*361, 362 Advanced Japanese II
The emphasis in these courses is placed on polishing and refining the students' language skills. Emphasis is placed on covering more sophisticated materials such as newspapers, magazine articles, film and literature.
Prerequisite: 232 or permission of the instructor.