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MWF 3:00-3:50pm Professor Schroeder
China is widely misunderstood today. The media reports its economic growth as it pursues an export-led development model that absorbs American manufacturing jobs in its march to become "the factory of the world." Asian nations fear it will quietly become the hegemon in the region. The United States and Europe fear its potential rise to superpower status, changing forever the nature of international relations. Or, is China's economic growth slowing, prompting calls for a new development model that could change the nature of Chinese society? While China has absorbed American manufacturing jobs, is it also losing jobs? And while China's importance as a major player in Asia is certain, can it attain superpower status to challenge the United States? Scholarship on China's future within and without China is split into two competing camps of optimists and pessimists. The seminar examines this debate while delving into China more deeply to consider those variables that challenge the regime. The goal is an understanding, not only of the scholarly debate on China, but of the Challenges China faces as it pursues its goals of growth and power. The course explores key variables that offer a clearer picture of China today and the conditions that will determine its future. Topics to be discussed include China's governmental organization as the last remaining powerful communist country; a comparison of former Communist countries in Europe; and variables that impact China today, including politics, economics, societal, and foreign policy issues. Recommended preparation: POSC 368 and HSTY 383.
RLGN 221 Indian Philosophy TR 2:45-4:00pm Professor Sarma A survey of Indian philosophical thought with emphasis on the Vedas, early Hindu, and Jain literature.
RLGN 306 Interpreting Buddhist Texts MW 9:00-10:15am Professor Deal
SOCI 255 Sociology of Asian Societies TR 11:30-12:45 Professor Yoo This is a basic (intro level) sociology course which aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of Korean society. The course will begin with an overview of the geographic setting, historical background, and cultural traits of Korea. During the first few weeks of the term, we will discuss the development of Korean society. The focus of the course will be on contemporary Korean society. In particular, we will examine social change in politics and economy. The course will conclude with the reunification issue and the future of Korea.
WLIT 225 Japanese Popular Culture T TH 2:45-4:00pm Professor 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, Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto, among others. The course introduces students to essential aspects of modern Japanese popular culture and sensibility. WLIT 355 Modern Japanese Novels and the West T TH 2:45-4:00pm Professor Hagiwara
Note: All courses subject to change at the discretion of the departments. Asian Studies Fall 2009 CoursesANTH 331 Ancient Civilizations of the Near East TR 2:45-4:00pm Professor Shaffer 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. ANTH 353 Chinese Culture and Society TR 8:30-9:45pm Professor 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. Recommended preparation: ANTH 102 or consent of department. ARTH 340 Issues in the Art of China TR 11:30-12:45 Professor Giuffrida A survey of major developments in Chinese art from the Neolithic period to the present, including archaeological discoveries, bronzes, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, ceramics, performance art, and installations. Among topics covered are: ancient funerary art and tombs; painting and sculpture of early Buddhist grottoes; landscape painting; art commissioned and collected by the imperial court; literati painting and calligraphy; public and private art associated with Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian religious practices and sites; art produced during periods of non-Chinese rule under the Tanguts, Mongols, and Manchus; foreign influences on artists in China; and the role of Chinese artists in the contemporary international art market. The course explores factors behind the creation and reception of works of art, including social, political and religious meanings, while examining the historical contexts for and artistic traditions of the visual culture of China. ASIA 235 Asian Cinema and Drama MWF 2:00-2:50pm & W 7:00-9:30 Professor Ehrlich Introduction to major Asian film directors and major traditional theatrical schools of India, Java/Bali, China, and Japan. Focus on the influence of traditional dramatic forms on contemporary film directors. Development of skills in cross-cultural analysis and comparative aesthetics. HSTY 134 Introduction to Japanese History and Civilization TR 10:00-11:15am Professor Butler This course provides an introduction to various aspects of Japanese civilization, from its origins to the present. By focusing on major cultural, socio-economic, and political issues such as the adaptation and transformation of Confucianism, Buddhism, Shintoism, social structures, material culture, foreign relations, militarism, nationalism, and intellectual discourse in the overall Asian context (with particular reference to Korea and China), we discuss the historical development of Japan and the country's position on entering the 21st century. We examine the emergence of Japan as a modern nation-state and the fundamental transformation of its society in the post-war period. HSTY 285 Modern Japan TR 2:45-4:00pm Professor Butler
JAPN 255 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation MW 12:30-1:45pm Professor 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. POSC 368 The People's Republic of China TR 11:30-12:45 Professor Schroeder Now more than ever, the Chinese state and society are facing tremendous economic, social, and political challenges. This course presents an overview of the development of Chinese Communist theory and practice from 1949 to the present day. Among the topics covered are the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the economic reforms of the 1980s, the Tiananmen student protests, the Communist party's crisis of legitimacy, the Taiwan problem, ecological challenges, the new socialist market economy, and current social developments from domestic migration to youth culture and new forms of nationalism. The class involves a mixture of lectures and discussion and draws on a combination of primary and secondary sources, including current news reports, films, documentaries, and fiction in translation. RLGN 217 Buddhism MW 9:00-10:15am Professor Deal The development of Buddhism. The life and teaching of the Buddha, the formation of the early Buddhist church, the schools of Hinayana Buddhism and Abhidharma philosophy, Nagarguna and the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism, the spread of Buddhism to China, the transformation of Buddhist thought in China, Zen Buddhism, the spread of Buddhism to the West. USSO 255 Hinduism TR 2:45-4:00pm Professor Sarma This course will provide an introduction to Hindu thought and culture. We will read a wide range of texts and secondary sources. Two readings, the Ramayana and Samskara, will focus on issues of ethics and proper dharma. We will also be watching Deepa Mehta's Fire. There will be a visit to the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Parma. Heavy emphasis on research and writing.
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