East Asian Studies (EAST)
EAST 111. East Asian Civilization. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
The development of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese civilizations highlighting their political, cultural, philosophical, and religious aspects from earliest times to the present.
EAST 120. Introduction to Chinese Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Introductory course on Chinese culture from antiquity to the middle of the 20th century, covering philosophy, literature and arts.
EAST 125. Masterpieces of Chinese Literature in Translation. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course introduces students to various great works in Chinese literary tradition from early times to the modern period. No prerequisite.
EAST 130. Business Japanese: Language and Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Basic Japanese business conversation, basic writing skills, and accepted conventions in the Japanese business world. No prerequisite.
EAST 137. Traditional Chinese Tales/Stories. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explores Chinese literature through the lens of stories. We will examine a variety of stories including, but not limited to creation stories, myths, ghost stories and romances.
EAST 203. Digital Methods in Chinese Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:.5,Other:2.5
This course introduces students to digital tools and resources in Chinese studies. Topics include data mining, database design, and data visualization. It combines discussion of digitally-empowered scholarship in Chinese studies and training in the technical know-how. Knowledge of Chinese language, Chinese history, or programming is not required. Crosslisted as HIST 203.
EAST 205. Introduction to Translation Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
An introduction to the history, theories, and development of the field of Translation Studies. Facility in one language other than English is strongly recommended. Crosslisted as HUMN 260.
EAST 208. The Red Brush: Women Writers in Imperial China. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
In this course we explore the writings of Chinese women from the 1st to the early 20th centuries, and discuss the changing social and historical contexts within which these women wrote, and the obstacles these women writers had to overcome in order to ensure that their voices were heard. Crosslisted as WMST 208.
EAST 211. Premodern Japanese Literature in Translation. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The beginnings of Japanese literary traditions: works written before the close of the 19th century - before Western influence is seen. Taught in English.
EAST 212. Modern Japanese Literature in Translation. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Literary trends in 20th-century Japan with emphasis on the development of the modern novel and short story. Works by Soseki, Tanizaki, Kawabata, Mishima, Abe, Enchi, Murakami and others. Taught in English.
EAST 213. Chinese Literature in Translation. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Great works of modern and contemporary Chinese literature.
EAST 220. Japanese Warrior in Literature. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Traces the literary (re)construction of the 'warrior' in Japanese literature, from the samurai of the 12th century to the Imperial soldier of the mid 20th century. Taught in English.
EAST 222. Passion/Perversion: Japan Film. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:3
A discussion class in which numerous modern Japanese films are used to explore the representation of desire, both passionate and perverse. WARNING: explicit sexual content. Crosslisted as WMST 221.
EAST 226. East Asian Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course surveys political history, political institutions, economy, and society of major countries in East Asia, with focus on the continuity and changes in politics and policies of China, Japan, and Korea. Crosslisted as IREL 226 and POLS 226.
EAST 227. Art of Japan. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to the art and architecture of Japan.
EAST 228. China Through the Lens. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
A history of cinema in mainland China, its origin and important periods, movements, and "generations," as well as representative cinemas of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
EAST 229. Late Imperial Chinese Fiction; the Short Stories. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This seminar explores “huaben”, a maturing vernacular fiction genre starting early 17th century in China. We will discuss the social and cultural context that gave rise to this genre, the intersections between this genre and other literary, performative, and artistic genres, as well as its modern implications.
EAST 232. Romance in Chinese Literature and Art. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
An introduction to Chinese literature and art through examinations of love stories in fairy tales, poetry, fiction, drama, theatre, film, and music.
EAST 233. China from Ancient Time to 18th Century. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Chinese history and culture from their beginnings to the middle of the Qing Dynasty, before that dynasty and China were challenged by the West. Crosslisted as HIST 293.
EAST 234. China Since 1800. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
China from the eve of its modern confrontation with the West to the present through years of traumatic challenge and change. Crosslisted as HIST 294.
EAST 239. Tradition and Transformation. 1 Credit.
Offered Summer Session Only; Lecture hours:3
A summer trip to China to study past and present in five historical capitals. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
EAST 241. Women in Chinese Literature. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course examines various modes of representation of women in Chinese literature to understand China's literary past from a women-centered point of view. Crosslisted as WMST 241.
EAST 244. Ghosts, Gods, & Immortals: The Taoist Religion in China. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
To live as long as heaven and earth; to make the body indestructible; to master the transformations of the cosmos; to control legions of demons and deities. These are the aims of the Chinese religion known as Taoism. This course examines Taoist beliefs and practices from ancient to modern times. Crosslisted as RELI 244.
EAST 248. International Relations in East Asia. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course offers an overview of international relations in East Asia, with focus on political, economic, and social interactions among major states in the region. Crosslisted as IREL 283 and POLS 283.
EAST 251. Buddhism. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Interdisciplinary introduction to Buddhism, including basic teachings of liberation from suffering, impermanence, no-self, ethics, and meditation. Also explores the historical development of various streams of Buddhism in Asia and the West, with attention to the effect of Buddhism on society, politics, and material culture. Crosslisted as RELI 200.
EAST 252. Marketing Chinese Religions. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Focus on the economies of Chinese religious institutions in modern and contemporary periods, with attention also paid to premodern precedents. Economics here indicates not only mechanisms of monetary exchange, but also negotiations of spiritual capital (ledgers of [de]merit) and of religious identities amidst rampant consumerism and commodification of sanctity. Crosslisted as RELI 245.
EAST 253. Death of Religion in Japan. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Religion in Japan is dead. Or, the rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated. But one thing’s for sure, Japanese religion is the province of the dead. This course examines how Japanese religions, which are supposedly dead or dying, supply the primary means for coping with life and death. Crosslisted as RELI 246.
EAST 254. From Shinto to Shogun: Pre-modern Japan. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course will examine the cultural and institutional developments which constitute the Japanese heritage, with emphasis on classical Heian and early medieval court culture and late medieval samurai society. Crosslisted as HIST 295.
EAST 255. Modern Japanese History. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Japanese economy, society, politics, war, and diplomacy from 1868 to World War II; successes, crises, and conflicts in building a modern nation-state. Crosslisted as HIST 296.
EAST 256. Contemporary Japanese History. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Political and cultural history of post-World War II Japan using various sources including film, anime, art, political cartoon, popular song. Crosslisted as HIST 286.
EAST 266. Chinese Philosophy. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Major philosophical schools of the classical age, Buddhist philosophy, Neo-Confucianism. Crosslisted as HUMN 266 and PHIL 266. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or permission of the instructor.
EAST 267. The People's Republic of China. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
A historical look at life in China under the rule of the Communist Party. Unprecedented triumphs and tribulations. Crosslisted as HIST 297.
EAST 269. Chinese Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This examines China's rich political history, its dynamic economic and social changes, its lasting political culture, it enduring struggle for modernization, and its evolving relations with the rest of the world. Crosslisted as IREL 225 and POLS 225.
EAST 289. Chinese Diaspora. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Is the world becoming Chinese? This course examines the history of China outside of China. It explores the development of overseas Chinese communities around the world, including SE Asia and the Americas. Crosslisted as HIST 289.
EAST 295. Topics in East Asian Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Topics vary.
EAST 299. Topics in the History of the Third World. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
History of Vietnam.
EAST 321. Independent Study. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Individual program of reading, research, or writing. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
EAST 322. Independent Study. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Individual programs of reading, research, or writing. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
EAST 339. China & East Asian Economics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An analysis of economic transition and development in China, with emphasis on its role in the Asia-Pacific and world economies. Prerequisites: ECON 257 and ECON 259 or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ECON 339.
EAST 369. Seminar in East Asian History and Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
A multidisciplinary seminar for Japanese and East Asian Studies majors. Bibliography, sources and disciplinary approaches to East Asia.
EAST 370. Seminar in East Asian History and Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
A multidisciplinary seminar for Japanese and East Asian Studies majors. Individual and group studies of selected topics.
EAST 382. U.S.-China Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Through tracing the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 18th century to the present, this course discusses major issues and challenges between the two countries today. Future trends of the bilateral relationship will also be explored. Prerequisite: POLS 170. Preference given to POLS/IREL/EAST majors. Crosslisted as IREL 482 and POLS 382.
EAST 395. East Asian Studies Honors Thesis. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Focused research relevant to department Culminating Experience. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Seniors only.
EAST 400. East Asian Studies Senior Thesis. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Focused research relevant to department Culminating Experience. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Seniors only.