Asian Studies

Cultural Perspectives: Introduction to Japanese History Although Japan is a small country with a large population and poor resources lying off the Pacific coast of the Asian continent, it has a long history. Some scholars misinterpret modern Japan as a combination of Chinese and Western civilizations. Although it acquired Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and the method of writing from China, Japan’s distinctive culture developed on its own. After the Meiji Restoration of 1867, Japan chose to follow the ways of the West and became the only imperialist power in Asia in modern times and later challenged American power in the Pacific. In spite of her defeat in World War II, Japan has succeeded in rebuilding her economy that is second only to the United States, and in practicing democratic rule in the Western sense. This course offers an overview of Japanese history from the earliest time to the onset of World War II, and will highlight differences in interpretation from Western and Japanese perspectives.

Cultural Perspectives: Asian Medical Traditions Asian Medical Traditions is intended to provide knowledge of the background and development of key concepts and practices in the history of Galenic/Arabic/Persian, Chinese, and Indian medicine. The materials studied include primary source texts for several of these medical systems as well as articles that place these medical traditions in a larger context of local biology and culture. Medicine is an especially interesting way to examine biology, societies, and cultures because the theories and practices are interwoven between geographic areas and time periods through the ages. There is great interplay between medical systems in Asia and Europe dating to the period of Hippocrates. The spread of ideas included knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medicinal botany, midwifery, surgery, and manipulative therapies. We will also examine modern recipients of this rich heritage, Tibetan and Japanese Medicine, in order to see how these traditions are transformed and transform the cultures in which they are a part. This course does not fulfill the science requirement.

Cultural Perspectives: Mind and Voice in Traditional China This course examines how Chinese thinkers, writers, and artists have viewed the world and expressed their views through their genres of choice. The first unit explores Chinese thought, focusing on principal works of Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism. Students learn to debate both historical and contemporary political and social issues through the ideas of these early Chinese thinkers. The second unit focuses on Chinese poetry, primarily the regulated verse of major Tang Dynasty poets including Wang Wei, Li Bo, Tu Fu, Tao Yuanming and Tu Mu. Through character-by-character glosses, students learn the principles of reading and writing Chinese poetry. The third unit teaches the fundamental concepts underlying traditional Chinese theater, particularly Kunqu and Beijing Opera. Both visual and oral aspects will be addressed, including a basic introduction to performance techniques. This course assumes no background in Chinese language or culture.

Cultural Perspectives: Modern Chinese Artists and Activists Drawing on a long tradition of social activism, Chinese artists and other intellectuals have responded to the turbulent 20th century through a variety of creative means in various media. This course juxtaposes historical events with artistic responses to them in literature, theater, film, music, dance, and the visual arts. Works include May Fourth fiction and drama, Communist and wartime propaganda, Cultural Revolution memoirs and films, visual art and rock music of the 1980s, the performing arts of post- Martial Law Taiwan, and elite and popular gay literature of the 1990s. Through both analytical and creative assignments, students will explore the use of the arts as a form of social commentary and protest in Chinese societies and beyond. This course assumes no background in Chinese language or culture. NOTE: In addition to two regular class sessions each week, there will be an evening film screening every other week.

Cultural Perspectives: Unity of Buddhism and State in Japan If a group of Japanese are asked their religion the most likely response is that they have none. The reason is that the Japanese consider Shinto and Buddhism as part of their culture, not as a religion in the Western context. While a separation of "church and state" is written into the Japanese constitution, in fact, such a division does not exist in Japan, today, or any time in the past. Buddhism and Shinto totally interpenetrate social, political, economic, and cultural life in a way that eludes those who impose a religion category onto Buddhism and Shinto in Japan. In this course we will examine the unity of Buddhism, and to a lesser extent, Shinto, in the political, cultural, social, and economic realms from the 5th century to the present. Starting before the introduction of Buddhism to Japan we will examine how Buddhist philosophy, power and practices formed and transformed Japanese life. At the end of the course the student will have a better appreciation of Buddhism and its role in Asian social and cultural development.

Cultural Perspectives: Japan & East Asian Affairs Since 1868 The modern transformation of Japan had a profound effect on the development of a nationalist consciousness among the people of neighboring countries as well as posing a threat to their national sovereignty. In spite of intermittent collisions and collusions among imperial powers in China and Korea, Japan has played a unique and important role in East Asian affairs from the end of the 19th century. This course mainly emphasizes the background to the current political landscape and the cross-cultural interactions of the region.

Cultural Perspectives: Asian Traditions in the Modern World Contemporary social, political, and cultural issues in Asian cultures often exist at the nexus of traditional and modern concepts. How do the writings of Confucius influence birth control policies in modern East Asia? How do Sanskrit texts relate to Bollywood cinema in South Asia? How do Arab historians’ perspectives on the Crusades inform more recent conflicts in West Asia? This course uses an interdisciplinary methodology to integrate texts from past and present, and from Asian and Euro-American cultures, into a contextualized study of modern Asia. Specific topics may vary from year to year, but the subject matter will draw from all major Asian subregions. Each student will select one topic for in-depth research; this course is strongly recommended for students planning to study abroad in an Asian country. Prerequisite: 200 level course on an Asian subject, or permission of the instructor.