University Bulletin 2002-03: East Asian Studies Program

University Bulletin 2002-03 University Bulletin 2002-03: East Asian Studies Program

An interdepartmental program
East Asian Studies

Courses of Study:
Minor

Program website: http://www.brandeis.edu/eastasia/

Objectives

East Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to give the student broad yet intimate knowledge of the history, politics, economics, art, and language of the major areas of East Asia. It allows the student to concentrate in a single program while at the same time enlarging his or her knowledge of East Asian civilization by taking related courses in other disciplines. At the crux of the program is the language requirement (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese) that provides the basis for postgraduate study or careers dealing with East Asia.

How to Become a Program Member

The student enrolled in the East Asian Studies Program must take HIST 80a (Introduction to East Asian Civilization) and the equivalent of Chinese or Japanese 40b (advanced intermediate level). In addition, whenever possible, three electives must be chosen from at least three of the participating departments in order to give the student a broad overview of the field and region. As a culmination to the program, the student must complete one semester of independent study under the direction of one or more members of the program faculty. This requires the preparation of a seminar-length research paper or a senior thesis in the student's major department with an emphasis on some aspect of East Asian Studies or participation in a senior interdisciplinary seminar when offered.

Committee

John Schrecker, Chair (Spring 2003)
(History)

Qun Ao, Cochair (Fall 2002)
(Chinese)

Hiroko Sekino, Cochair (Fall 2002)
(Japanese)

Donald Hindley
(Politics)

Gary Jefferson
(Economics)

Ellen Schattschneider
(Anthropology)

Isabel Seliger
(Romance and Comparative Literature)

Mireya Solis
(Politics)

Ralph Thaxton
(Politics)

Aida-Yuen Wong
(Fine Arts)

Requirements for Program

Course requirements: Five courses in addition to the language requirement.

A. Students must complete the equivalent of Chinese or Japanese 40b.

B. Core course: HIST 80a (Introduction to East Asian Civilization).

C. Electives: Students must complete three courses from the list below. Students must take courses, whenever possible, in at least three participating departments so that a broad overview of the field and region is obtained.

D. Completion of one semester of independent study, EAS 98a or 98b, under the direction of one or more members of the program faculty, requiring the preparation of a seminar-length research paper.

A senior thesis in the student's department or concentration, with an emphasis on some aspect of East Asian studies.

Participation in a senior interdisciplinary seminar, when offered.

Courses of Instruction

EAS 98a Independent Study
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff

EAS 98b Independent Study
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff

EAS 125a Japanese Literature from the Seventeenth-Century to the Present: From the Floating World to Murakami Haruki
[ nw hum ]
An introduction to Japanese literature from the late 17th century to the present. Readings focus on prose fiction, but also include works of poetry and drama. Topics include continuity and discontinuity in the narrative form in Japan; the subversive use of parody in authoritarian regimes; the concepts of self and love in a status society; the shifting notions of tradition and modernity; and the impact of Westernization on Japanese interpretations of their cultural past. Special one-time offering. Was offered in the fall of 2001.
Mr. Mack

EAS 175a Masterpieces of Chinese Literature
(formerly COML 175a)
[ hum ]
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken COML 175a in previous years.
Surveys Chinese literature from the classical era through the 18th century. Readings are in English translation and include a wide range of genres, with particular emphasis on the great Chinese novels. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the fall of 2000.
Staff

Core Courses

CHIN 10a
Beginning Chinese

CHIN 20b
Continuing Chinese

CHIN 30a
Intermediate Chinese

CHIN 40b
Advanced Intermediate Chinese

JAPN 10a
Beginning Japanese

JAPN 20b
Continuing Japanese

JAPN 30a
Intermediate Japanese

JAPN 40b
Advanced Intermediate Japanese

HIST 80a
Introduction to East Asian Civilization

Elective Courses

The following courses are approved for the program. Not all are given in any one year. Please consult the Course Schedule each semester.