57 Asian Studies

Edward Y. J. Chung, Coordinator
Brendan Wright, Assistant Professor

Asia is the home of the most ancient and longest-lived civilizations the world has witnessed and of most of the world’s present population. Moreover, recent history would be impossible to write without frequent reference to Asia. Many of the momentous events of modern times can be evoked by the names of Asian countries: Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Southeast Asian countries, and Middle Eastern countries. The resolution of many of today’s pressing issues requires an understanding of the needs and interests of the Asian peoples.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN ASIAN STUDIES

The Asian Studies minor consists of twenty-one (21) semester hours of credit (seven courses in total). To obtain a degree with a Minor in Asian Studies, a student must successfully complete:

• Either AST 2010 or AST 2020
• One course from the Asian Language Courses group
• One course from the Asian Studies Electives group
• Four courses taken from: the Asian Language Courses group, Korean Studies Courses group, Asian Studies Electives group, and/or Asian Studies Special Topics/Directed Studies group.

Note:  Students are allowed to declare only one minor option: either Asian Studies or Korean Studies.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN KOREAN STUDIES

The Korean Studies minor consists of twenty-one (21) semester hours of credit (seven courses in total).  To obtain a degree with a Minor in Korean Studies, a student must successfully complete: 

• Either AST 2010 or AST 2020
• One Korean language course (either AST 1012 or AST 1022)
• Two courses from the Korean Studies Courses group (AST 2101, 2201, 2301, 2401, 3101, 3201, 3301)
• Three courses taken from: the Asian Language Courses group, Korean Studies Courses group, Asian Studies Elective group, and/or Asian Studies Special Topics/Directed Studies group.

Note:  Students are allowed to declare only one minor option: either Asian Studies or Korean Studies.

ASIAN STUDIES COURSES

Core Introductory
2010 INTRODUCTION TO WEST ASIA
This course is an historical introduction to the peoples and cultures of West Asia. It explores the major cultural, intellectual, institutional, social, and religious features of the Middle East, central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, covering each region’s traditions and historical development. The course also deals with modernization and the impact of Western ideas, values, and institutions on modern West Asia. This is a required course for the Minor in Asian Studies.
Cross-listed with History 2910.
Three hours a week

2020 INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIA
This course is an historical introduction to the peoples and cultures of East Asia. It explores the major cultural, intellectual, institutional, social, and religious features of China, Japan, and Korea, covering each region’s traditions and modern developments. This course also introduces Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the impact of Western ideas and institutions on modern East Asia. This is a required course for the Minor in Asian Studies.
Cross-listed with History 2920.
Three hours a week

Special Topics and Directed Studies
2090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Asian Studies at the 2000 level.

3090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Asian Studies at the 3000 level.

4090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Asian Studies at the 4000 level.

4510-4520 DIRECTED STUDIES
These courses may be offered to meet particular student needs or take advantage of special faculty expertise.
Three hours a week per course 

NOTE: Directed Studies courses from other disciplines with an Asian focus may be accepted for credit towards the Minor with the approval of the Co-ordinator of Asian Studies. (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)

ASIAN LANGUAGE COURSES

1010 INTRODUCTION TO [A SELECTED LANGUAGE NOT LISTED BELOW] I
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in the language. This course provides an introduction to the language in question, through the study of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It includes numerous oral drills, frequent written exercises, short oral presentations and simple readings.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1010.
Three hours a week

1020 INTRODUCTION TO [A SELECTED LANGUAGE NOT LISTED BELOW] II
This course is a continuation of 1010. It provides further study of vocabulary and grammar and introduces aspects of civilization.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1020.
Three hours a week

1011 INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE I
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in Japanese. It provides an introduction to the Japanese language, through the study of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It includes numerous oral drills, frequent written exercises, short oral presentations and simple readings.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1011
Three hours a week

1012 INTRODUCTION TO KOREAN I
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in Korean. It provides an introduction to the Korean language, through the study of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It includes numerous oral drills, frequent written exercises, short oral presentations and simple readings.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1012
Three hours a week

1013 INTRODUCTION TO MANDARIN CHINESE I
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. It provides an introduction to the Mandarin Chinese language, through the study of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It includes numerous oral drills, frequent written exercises, short oral presentations and simple readings.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1013
Three  hours a week

1021 INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE II
This course is a continuation of AST 1011. It provides further study of Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and conversation and also introduces aspects of Japanese culture.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1021
PREREQUISITE:  AST 1011, ML 1011, or permission of the instructor
Three  hours a week

1022 INTRODUCTION TO KOREAN II
This course is a continuation of AST 1012. It provides further study of Korean vocabulary, grammar, and conversation and also introduces aspects of Korean culture.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1022
PREREQUISITE:  AST 1012, ML 1012, or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week

1023 INTRODUCTION TO MANDARIN CHINESE II
This course is a continuation of AST 1013. It provides further study of Mandarin Chinese vocabulary, grammar, and conversation and also introduces aspects of Chinese culture.
Cross-listed with Modern Languages 1023
PREREQUISITE:  AST 1013, ML 1013, or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week

Korean  Studies Courses

2101 KOREAN CIVILIZATION
This course presents a general overview of Korean civilization from its prehistory to the nineteenth century by focusing on the emergence of a distinctive culture on the Korean peninsula. It discusses Korea’s religious, cultural, social, and institutional traditions and developments. Primary and secondary sources are used to understand the trajectory of Korean civilization.
Three hours a week

2201 KOREAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
This course presents the key themes and patterns of Korean society and culture: traditional and modern. Its topic coverage ranges from traditional beliefs, norms, customs, and values to contemporary education, ideas, ideologies, systems, lifestyles, women’s roles, and other changes. The course also considers the impact of the modern West on the unity, transformation, and diversity of Korean society and culture.
Three hours a week

2301 KOREAN RELIGIONS
This introductory course explores Korean religions by covering shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, and new religions such as Cheondogyo and Won Buddhism. It utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to discuss their histories, beliefs, rituals, moral and philosophical doctrines, and institutional changes. We also consider each religion’s influence on contemporary Korean culture and national identity.
Cross-listed with Religious Studies 2301
Three hours a week

2401 MEDIA AND POP-CULTURE IN SOUTH KOREA
This course introduces the interplay between digital media and popular culture in South Korea. Its range of lessons includes blogging culture, webtoons, social media platforms, e-sports, SNS culture, e-journalism, the relationship between K-celebrities and digital media, etc. Students learn how these digital media platforms and new communication systems influence Korean people, society, economy, and politics.
Three hours a week

3101 MODERN KOREAN HISTORY
This course presents the intellectual, social, political, and economic history of modern Korea from the early twentieth century to the present day. It discusses modernization, the rise of modern ideologies such as nationalism, communism, and democracy, the Korean war, the transformation of Korean identity, urbanization, changing status and roles of women, and the religious landscape of today’s Korea.
Three hours a week

3201 KOREAN ART:  TRADITIONAL AND MODERN
This course discusses the key traditions and modern trends of art in Korea. Its topic range covers Korean art, artisan lives, and their heritage and contemporary changes. Students will explore various types of Korean artistic genres and art mediums, including painting, ceramics, papers/textiles, sculpture, and visual art.
Three hours a week

3301 KOREAN CINEMA
This seminar course is a historical and cultural study of “Korean-wave” cinema. It presents the famous examples of directors and genres from Korea’s traditional drama and contemporary movies. Our basic goal is to understand Korean society and culture through its cinematic representations. Students also learn how Korean films deal with historical trauma such as the Korean War and reflect on social issues and cultural values.
Three hours a week

ASIAN STUDIES ELECTIVES

Peoples and Cultures
Sociology/Anthropology 2120 – Peoples of South Asia

Religion and the Arts
Religious Studies 2210 – Buddhism East and West
Religious Studies 2420 – The Hindu Religious Tradition
Religious Studies 2510 – Japanese Religion and Culture
Religious Studies 2610 – Religion and Philosophy in China

History and Politics
Political Science 3430 – Comparative Politics of South Asia
Political Science 3630 – Comparative Politics of the Middle East

PREREQUISITES: The Departments of Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology/Anthropology accept Asian Studies 2010/2020 as substitute prerequisites for any of their courses on this list.