Asian Studies Fall 2008 Courses
ANTH 317/417. Asian Medical Systems
TR 830-945AM Ikels
Examines the philosophical assumptions and therapies of the traditional and contemporary medical systems of India, Tibet, China, and Japan. Particular attention will be given to the folk, popular, and institutional sectors of medical practice as well as to the contemporary relationship between traditional medicine and Western medicine in each of these societies. Recommended preparation: ANTH 102 or consent of department.
Offered as ANTH 317 and ANTH 417.
ANTH 331. Ancient Civilizations of the Near East
TR 245-400PM
The social, economic, and ecological factors involved in the formation of the earliest Asian civilizations. The developmental role of cities, warfare, trade, and irrigation considered with respect to "state" formation in Mesopotamia, Iran, and the Indus Valley. Recommended preparation: ANTH 102 or ANTH 107 or consent of department.
ARTH 203. The Arts of Asia
TR 1000-1115AM Staff
A survey of Japanese and Chinese art from the Bronze Age to the 18th century, with particular emphasis on objects in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The relationship of art works to Buddhism and Hinduism is explored along with cultural rituals, ceremonies, and traditions.
HSTY 284. Daily Life in Imperial China
MW 1230-145PM Staff
This course is an interdisciplinary study of Chinese society using methodological approaches from the fields of social, cultural, economic, and art history. In order to explore the fabric of society in Imperial China (from the beginning to the early 20th century) in a creative, interactive way--including folk customs, life at the court, in city and countryside, religious activities, gender roles, material culture, consumption, entertainment, and social hierarchies--we use the excellent Chinese collection in the Cleveland Museum of Art and various visual aides such as slides and CD-ROMs in the classroom.
Offered as ASIA 284 and HSTY 284.
JAPN 255. Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
TR 2-45-400PM Hagiwara
Focus on the major genres of modern Japanese literature, including poetry, short story, and novel (shosetsu). No knowledge of Japanese language or history is assumed. Lectures, readings, and discussions are in English. Films and slides complement course readings.
Offered as JAPN 255 and WLIT 255.
ECON 375. Economics of Developing Countries
MWF 300-350PM Prina
This course focuses on international aspects of economic development. The term "developing country" is often defined as a country that exhibits low per capita income, high poverty level, low level of industrialization, or low life expectancy. In terms of size, the developing countries make up at least three-fourth of the world population. Why do we study those countries' economies separately from the industrialized economies? In fact, low economic growth, high unemployment, or high poverty rates also exist in many developed countries. The differences lie not in the types of problems but in the causes of these problems. In addition, differences in the kind of institutions that prevail in developing countries also lead to different policy prescriptions. Among developing countries, differences in historical experience, cultural practices, political institutions and economic conditions are also enormous. Illustrations and explanations of those differences are provided from a wide range of developing countries.
RLGN 216. Hinduism
TR 115-230PM Sarma
The dominant religious tradition of India. The evolution of Hinduism from Vedic religion; classical Hindu mythology, philosophy, and theology as well as the modern transformation of Hinduism; orthodox Hindu practices as well as beliefs and practices found in regional and village settings; visions of the universe, humanity, and existence that differ radically from monotheistic and secular traditions of the West.
RLGN 251. Perspectives in Ethnicity, Race, Religion and Gender
TR 1000-1115AM Bach
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of ethnicity. Basic concepts such as race, gender, class, and identity construction will be examined. Students are encouraged to use the tools and perspectives of several disciplines to address the experiences of ethnic groups in the United States. Offered as ETHS 251 and RLGN 251.
Note:
In addition, three years of Chinese and Japanese language are being offered through the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
All courses subject to change at the discretion of the departments.
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Asian Studies Spring 2008 Courses
ANTH 333. Ancient India: Archaeology of South Asia
TR 245-400P Schaeffer
Examination of the archaeological record of cultural development from earliest times through the Iron Age in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Particular attention devoted to how these ancient cultural developments laid the foundations for the early historic civilizations of this region. Prereq: ANTH 102 or ANTH 107 or consent of department.
ANTH 353/453. Chinese Culture and Society
TR 830-945 Ikels
Focuses on Chinese cultural and social institutions during the Maoist and post-Maoist eras. Topics include ideology, economics, politics, religion, family life, and popular culture. Prereq: ANTH 102 or consent of department.
ARTH 203. The Arts of Asia
TR 1000-1115A Cunnigham
A survey of Japanese and Chinese art from the Bronze Age to the 18th century, with particular emphasis on objects in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The relationship of art works to Buddhism and Hinduism is explored along with cultural rituals, ceremonies, and traditions.
HSTY 282. Modern China
TR 1000-111A Butler
Beginning with the Opium Wars, we review the historical development of intellectual discourse, public reaction, and political protest in late Imperial and Republican China from the early 19th century to the communist revolution in 1949. In contrast to the conventional description of China from a Western point of view, this course tries to explain the emergence of modern China in the context of its intellectual, political, and socio-economic transformation as experienced by Chinese in the 19th and 20th century. By discussing the influence of the West, domestic rebellions, and political radicalism, we examine how the Chinese state and society interacted in search for modernization and reforms, how these reforms were continued during the Republican period, and to what extent historical patterns can be identified in China's present-day development.
HSTY 291. Asia Pacific War
TBA Butler
How did a seventeen year old Indonesian perceive the Japanese occupation in World War II? How did that experience differ for a Thai college student? In this course, we will investigate the societies of occupied East and Southeast Asia from the perspective of those who experienced it directly. We will use memoirs, oral histories, visual material, and military reports to understand the perceptions, motivations, and emotions that drove individual action, and situate that action within the framework of violence. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the cultures involved in the Asia Pacific War, and develop critical skills through analysis of specific issues in class discussions and written exercises and essays.
JAPN 225 Japanese Popular Culture
TR 245-400P Fitzgerald
This course highlights salient aspects of modern Japanese popular culture as expressed in animation, comics and literature. The works examined include films by Hayao Miyazaki, writings by Kenji Miyazawa and Banana Yoshimoto, among others. The course introduces students to essential aspects of modern Japanese popular culture and sensibility.
RLGN 306 Interpreting Buddhist Texts
MW 400-515P Deal
Readings in translation of major texts from the Buddhist tradition. Special emphasis on problems of textual interpretation, historical context, Buddhist conceptions of the sacred, and Buddhist ethics. Prereq: RLGN 102 or RLGN 204 or RLGN 217 or RLGN 303 or RLGN 341.
WLIT/JAPN 245 Classical Japanese Literature in Translation
TR 1000-1115A Ehlrich
Readings, in English translation, of classical Japanese poetry, essays, narratives, and drama to illustrate essential aspects of Japanese culture and sensibility before the Meiji Restoration (1868). Lectures explore the sociohistorical contexts and the character of major literary genres; discussions focus on interpreting the central images of human value within each period. Japanese sensibilities compared/contrastedwith those of Western and other cultures.
WLIT/JAPN 355/455 Modern Japanese Novels and the West
TR 115-230P Hagiwara
Comparing a selection of modern Japanese novels with their Western counterparts, this course will clarify Japan's premodern sensibility and its transformation after the Meiji Restoration (1868). Comparisons will focus on a group of interrelated themes such as modernity/modernism, alienation, innocence, death, male-female relationships, and Nature. All readings are in English translation. No prior training in Japanese language or culture required.
Note:
In addition, three years of Chinese and Japanese language are being offered through the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
Courses subject to change at the discretion of the departments.
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