Courses

Courses

Fall 2006 Courses

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010. Art of Zen
Clifton Olds T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
An examination of the influence of Ch'an or Zen Buddhism on the art of China and Japan, including painting, architecture, gardening, and the tea ceremony.
011. Living in the Sixteenth Century
Thomas Conlan M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
Examines the nature of state and society in an age of turmoil. Studies patterns of allegiances, ways of waging war, codes of conduct, and the social matrix of sixteenth-century Japan, based on primary and secondary sources. Kurosawa's masterpiece Kagemusha provides the thematic foundation for this course.
018. Reincarnations of the Monkey
Belinda Kong T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
The legendary Monkey, or Sun Wukong of sixteenth-century Wu Ch'eng-en's Journey to the West, is a contradictory figure that embodies fierce independence of spirit and rebellious mischief as much as tamed energy and loyal service. Explores contemporary refigurings of Monkey in diasporic contexts (primarily in the United States, but also in Britain, Canada, and Australia) and in multiple genres (novel, essay, film, music). What are the literary, cultural, and philosophical traditions that animate Monkey, and how are the values he represents transformed in the diaspora? For what audiences is he reincarnated, and to what purpose? Authors include Wu Ch'eng-en (in translation), Timothy Mo, Maxine Hong Kingston, Frank Chin, Patricia Chao, Binh Duy Ta, Wayson Choy, and Gerald Vizenor. Philosophical texts may include the writings of Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Thich Nhat Hanh.
019. East Asian Politics: Introductory Seminar
Henry Laurence T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
Surveys the diverse political, social, and economic arrangements across East Asia. Main focus on China, Japan, and North and South Korea. Examines the relationships between democracy, economic change, and human rights. Other questions: What are "Asian values"? What is the role of Confucianism in political and economic life? How are economic and political developments affecting traditional social institutions such as families, and how is the status of women changing?
213. Introduction to Asian-American Literature
Belinda Kong T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
An introduction not only to the writings of Asian America, but also to the historical development of Asian American literature as a field of discussion, study, and debate. Begins by focusing on a seminal moment in the formation of this field: the critical controversy sparked by the publication of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior (1976). Then turns to more recent fiction and questions of how to re-conceive Asian American literature in light of these works. In addition to Kingston, authors may include Amy Tan, David Henry Hwang, Frank Chin, Gish Jen, Chang-rae Lee, and Jhumpa Lahiri, Susan Choi, Lan Cao, and Lê Thi Diem Thúy. (Same as English 284.) Prerequisite: One first-year seminar or 100-level course in the English Department, or one course in Asian Studies. Note: This course fulfills the literature of the Americas requirement for students majoring in English.
221. Religiosities of South Asia
Sunil Goonasekera T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
This course focuses on varieties of indigenous religious expressions in South Asia and covers salvation religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikkhism, Yoga and Tantra as well as minor religions such as Astrology, Demonology, Spirit Possession, Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Magic specific to the region. Students will read samples from the scriptures of the salvation religions and texts of the other traditions to become familiar with the doctrinal aspects of South Asian religiosity. The course includes discussions of monastic traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. South Asian religious traditions prescribe a variety of monastic practices ranging from rigorous self-mortification culminating in death to the middle path recommended by Buddhism, and complete rejection of monasticism in orthodox Hinduism. These practices are based on the different cosmologies developed by each tradition. For the laymen also each religious tradition prescribes a wide range of practices fr om exuberant expressions of devotion involving bodily mutilation to quiet contemplation. Students will explore the connection between these religious ideals and the everyday life of their adherents as well as their relationships with nationalistic political movements.
227. Contemporary Chinese Politics
Henry Laurence M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Examines Chinese politics in the context of a prolonged revolution. After a survey of the political system as established in the 1950s and patterns of politics emerging from it, the analytic focus turns to political change in the reform era (since 1979) and the forces driving it. Topics include the political impact of decentralization and marketization, the reintegration into the capitalist world economy, and the development of the legal system. The adaptation by the Communist Party to these changes and the prospects of democratization are also examined.
229. Politics of Southeast Asia
Lance Guo M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Starts with a survey of the political landscape of tropical Southeast Asia and proceeds to investigate the fundamental forces driving political changes in this region of rich diversity in culture, religion, ethnicity, mystic beliefs, and political traditions. Topics include nation building and the role of colonial history in it, regime legitimacy, political protests (often spearheaded by college students) and armed insurgence, the different responses to the challenges of modernization, causes and consequences of rapid economic growth, dynamics of the political processes, and the attempts by political elites at culturally-bounded human rights and democracy.
230. Imperialism, Nationalism & Human Rights
Rachel Sturman T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Examines the history of modern global imperialism and colonialism from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries. Course will focus on the parallel emergence of European nationalism, imperialism and ideas of universal humanity, on the historical development of anti-colonial nationalisms in the regions ruled by European empires, and on the often-contentious nature of demands for human rights. Emphasis on the history of South Asia, with significant attention to Latin America, Africa and other regions of Asia.
244. Fictions of the Self: Introspection, Confession and Play in Japanese Literature
Vyjayanthi Selinger M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
This course examines the "rhetoric of confession" in Japanese literature. From the diaries of court ladies in classical Japan to the modern I-novel, Japanese authors have used the first-person narrative to tell stories and provide commentary on the nature of story-telling. In this class, we will situate these stories in historical context and examine their relationship with discourses of gender, individualism and modernity. No previous knowledge of Japan is assumed and no knowledge of Japanese is required.
247. Indian Cinema and Society: Industries, Politics, and Audiences
Sara Dickey M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Explores Indian films, film consumption, and film industries since 1947. Focus is on mainstream cinema in different regions of India, with some attention to the impact of popular film conventions on art cinema and documentary. Topics include the narrative and aesthetic conventions of Indian films, film magazines, fan clubs, cinema and electoral politics, stigmas on acting, film-makers and film-making, rituals of film-watching, and audience interpretations of movies. The production, consumption, and content of Indian cinema will be examined in social, cultural, and political contexts, particularly with an eye to their relationships to class, gender, and nationalism. Attendance at weekly evening screenings is required.
LAB
M 6:30 - 9:30
Explores Indian films, film consumption, and film industries since 1947. Focus is on mainstream cinema in different regions of India, with some attention to the impact of popular film conventions on art cinema and documentary. Topics include the narrative and aesthetic conventions of Indian films, film magazines, fan clubs, cinema and electoral politics, stigmas on acting, film-makers and film-making, rituals of film-watching, and audience interpretations of movies. The production, consumption, and content of Indian cinema will be examined in social, cultural, and political contexts, particularly with an eye to their relationships to class, gender, and nationalism. Attendance at weekly evening screenings is required.
LAB
T 6:30 - 9:30
Explores Indian films, film consumption, and film industries since 1947. Focus is on mainstream cinema in different regions of India, with some attention to the impact of popular film conventions on art cinema and documentary. Topics include the narrative and aesthetic conventions of Indian films, film magazines, fan clubs, cinema and electoral politics, stigmas on acting, film-makers and film-making, rituals of film-watching, and audience interpretations of movies. The production, consumption, and content of Indian cinema will be examined in social, cultural, and political contexts, particularly with an eye to their relationships to class, gender, and nationalism. Attendance at weekly evening screenings is required.
255. Writing the Self: Autobiography & History in Modern India
Rachel Sturman T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Seminar. Course explores the history of the idea of the self in India, focusing on the era from the eighteenth century to the present. We will briefly consider ancient philosophical and religious perspectives on the self, before turning to a range of modern texts, including the autobiographies of major public figures, such as Gandhi and Nehru, as well as those of women and dalits (former "Untouchables") whose very ability to write reflected a history of personal struggle. Questions we will consider include the relationship between individual and broader social or national histories, and the nature of modern selfhood or subjectivity in colonial and post-colonial India.
275. Modern China
Kidder Smith M 8:00 - 9:25, W 8:00 - 9:25
An introduction to the history of China from 1840 to the present. Studies the confrontation with Western imperialism, the fall of empire, the Republican period, and the People's Republic.
LAB
M 6:30 - 9:00
An introduction to the history of China from 1840 to the present. Studies the confrontation with Western imperialism, the fall of empire, the Republican period, and the People's Republic.
282. Japanese Politics and Society
Henry Laurence M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
Comprehensive overview of modern Japanese politics in historical, social, and cultural context. Analyzes the electoral dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party, the nature of democratic politics, and the rise and fall of the economy. Other topics include the status of women and ethnic minorities, education, war guilt, nationalism, and the role of the media.
283. The Origins of Japanese Culture and Civilization
Thomas Conlan T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
How do a culture, a state, and a society develop? Designed to introduce the culture and history of Japan by exploring how "Japan" came into existence, and to chart how patterns of Japanese civilization shifted through time. We try to reconstruct the tenor of life through translations of primary sources, and gain a greater appreciation of the unique and lasting cultural and political monuments of Japanese civilization.
370. Problems in Chinese History
Kidder Smith M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
Reviews the whole of Chinese history. Students develop their research skills and write a substantial research paper. Primarily for seniors.

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