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An interdepartmental program in East Asian Studies
Last updated: August 15, 2017 at 10:32 a.m.
East Asian Studies promotes in-depth knowledge about the traditions, cultures, and contemporary societies of a diverse and dynamic region that plays an ever more prominent role on the global stage. The Major focuses particular attention on China and Japan, but Southeast Asia and Korea are also part of the Major’s coverage. Students are exposed to a wide range of disciplinary approaches to the study of East Asia, including Anthropology, Art History, Economics, History, Language and Literature, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, and Music History. Besides being interdisciplinarity, EAS emphasizes a broad temporal scope, cultivating interests from ancient times to the present. Students completing the major are expected to become conversant about a wide range of topics related to East Asia and to attain basic competence in at least one East Asian language.
As a regional studies program, EAS encourages participation in global learning, offering non-Eurocentric approaches to the Creative Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Through exposure to East Asia, students sharpen their critical skills regarding insights and the production of knowledge beyond Western traditions. The objects of inquiry include poetic styles, artistic techniques, intellectual trends, gender constructs, political orders, and economic systems. While understanding East Asia in its own context is a primary goal, the Major also seeks to comprehend the particularities of East Asia in relation to European and American ideas and influences where relevant. The goal is to develop dynamic and nuanced concepts about the role of East Asia in the world.
Through the ages, many parts of East Asia have had varied and extensive contact. By offering courses on different geographic sites and cultures, sometimes in a comparative or interactive context, EAS cultivates a deep appreciation for trans-Asiatic and intra-Asiatic forms of knowledge and action. Cooperation, conflicts, and interdependencies are vital parts of the study of significant historical and evolving developments across the region.
Core Skills
A student choosing the EAS major is expected to achieve the following skills:
1. Master the terminology and methodology of the component disciplines,
2. Develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at least one East Asian language,
3. Examine phenomena in specific historical, cultural, economic, and political contexts,
4. Use primary and secondary sources to produce original arguments and analyses,
5. Think critically about visual, literary, and intellectual artifacts and documents,
6. Readily make connections from comparative and transcultural perspectives.
Knowledge
An EAS major is expected to acquire the following types of knowledge (encompassing the range of disciplines):
1. Broad understanding of traditional and contemporary East Asia from local, international, and comparative perspectives,
2. East Asian experiences in History, Economics, Politics, and Culture,
3. Robust appreciation of the contribution and relationship of East Asia to the world.
Social Awareness
A Major in EAS should:
1. Appreciate cultural and ethnic tolerance and inclusiveness,
2. Cultivate relations with peers and faculty who come from diverse backgrounds.
Upon Graduating
A Brandeis EAS major will be prepared to:
1. Pursue professions where knowledge of East Asian languages and culture is valuable (e.g. education, diplomacy, international finance and business, journalism, museology, and translation),
2. Embark upon graduate study in a number of academic disciplines,
3. Build bridges between American and East Asian communities or between communities within East Asia.
Gary Jefferson, Chair, Undergraduate Advising Head and Study Abroad Liaison
(Economics)
Yu-Hui Chang
(Music)
Yu Feng
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Matthew Fraleigh
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Xing Hang
(History)
Xiwen Lu
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Yukimi Nakano
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Ellen Schattschneider
(Anthropology)
Ralph Thaxton
(Politics)
Pu Wang
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Aida Yuen Wong
(Fine Arts)
Affiliated Faculty (contributing to the curriculum, advising and administration of the department or program)
Yu-Hui Chang (Music)
Yu Feng (German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Matthew Fraleigh (German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Gary Jefferson (Economics)
Xiwen Lu (German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Yukimi Nakano (German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)
Ralph Thaxton (Politics)
Aida Yuen Wong (Fine Arts)
Five courses are generally required to complete the EAS minor. All courses used to fulfill the EAS minor degree requirements must be passed with a C- or higher.
A. Core Course: HIST 80a (Introduction to East Asian Civilization) or HIST 80b (East Asia: Nineteenth Century to the Present China and Japan).
B. Language Requirement: at least up to CHIN 20b or JAPN 20b, or by exemption. Students with demonstrated language skills at the 20-level or are native speakers may be exempted from this requirement by application and/or exam.
A Foreign Language Credit form is used to apply for EAS language requirement exemption in East Asian languages offered at Brandeis; but for East Asian languages not offered at Brandeis (Korean) a Foreign Language Exemption Petition is needed. Exams may be necessary in either case.
C. Electives: Generally three EAS electives from no fewer than two different departments are needed to complete this requirement; however students who are exempted from the language requirement must complete four electives. East Asian language courses at the 20-level or higher which are not used toward fulfilling the language requirement may be used as electives for the minor degree; however, at least one elective must be an EAS non-language course taken outside the GRALL Department.
D. No more than two courses (one, if language exemption is earned) taken outside of Brandeis may be counted for the minor.
E. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements.
Ten courses are generally required to complete the EAS major. At least six courses are required to be taken in residence at Brandeis and all courses used to fulfill the EAS major degree requirements must be passed with a C- or higher.
A. Core Course: HIST 80a (Introduction to East Asian Civilization) or HIST 80b (East Asia: Nineteenth Century to the Present China and Japan).
B. Language Requirement: at least up to CHIN 40b or JAPN 40b, or by exemption. Students with demonstrated language skills at the 40 level or are native speakers may be exempted from this requirement by application and/or exam.
The procedures for applying for language exemption for the major are the same as those for the minor.
C. Electives: Three EAS electives from each of the creative arts, humanities, and the contemporary East Asia social science courses (see course listing).
For humanities courses that are languages, only courses above the 40-level may be counted toward fulfilling this specific elective requirement.
D. Generally five additional EAS electives are required; however students who are exempted from the language requirement must complete six electives. East Asian language courses (such as in a second EAS language area) at the 20-level or higher which are not used toward fulfilling the language requirement may be used as electives for the major degree; however, at least one elective must be an EAS non-language course taken outside the GRALL Department.
E. No more than four (three, if language exempt is earned) courses taken outside of Brandeis may be counted for the major
F. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the major requirements.
Senior Honors Thesis
Candidates for honors are required to register for EAS 99d (or for a 99 course in an appropriate department) and to prepare an honors thesis on a topic relating to East Asia. If completed successfully, the 99 can be counted as two of the five (six) EAS electives needed for the major.
(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
EAS
98a
Independent Study
Usually offered every year.
Staff
EAS
98b
Independent Study
Usually offered every year.
Staff
EAS
99d
Senior Research
Seniors who are candidates for degrees with honors in East Asian studies must register for this course and, under the direction of a faculty member, prepare an honors thesis on a suitable topic. Usually offered every year.
Staff
East Asian Studies: Core Course
HIST
80a
Introduction to East Asian Civilization
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A selective introduction to the development of forms of thought, social and political institutions, and distinctive cultural contributions of China and Japan from early times to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Hang
HIST
80b
East Asia in the Modern World
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Surveys East Asian history from the 1600 to the present. Compares Chinese, Korean, and Japanese encounters with forces of industrial capitalism, including colonialism, urbanization, and globalization, resulting in East Asia’s distinctive cultural and social modernity. Usually offered every year.
Mr. James
East Asian Studies: Language Requirement Courses
CHIN
10a
Beginning Chinese I
Four class hours per week.
Mandarin is taught in this intensive course, intended for students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Class meets four days per week plus one section of individual conversation. It offers training in basic Chinese grammar, speaking, aural comprehension, reading and writing. Chinese characters, and the "pinyin" phonetic system as a tool for learning Chinese. Usually offered every fall.
Mr. Feng or Ms. Wei
CHIN
20b
Continuing Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 10a. Four class hours per week.
Continuation of CHIN 10a. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Wei
CHIN
29b
Pathways for Chinese Literacy
For students who have significant bilingual background in Mandarin Chinese or a non-Mandarin dialect (e.g., Cantonese). Emphasizes reading and writing skills, but standard Mandarin pronunciation and grammatical structure are also stressed. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Lu
CHIN
30a
Intermediate Chinese
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Prerequisite: CHIN 20b or equivalent. Four class hours per week.
Development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including the writing of short essays. Usually offered every fall.
Ms. Lu
CHIN
40b
Advanced Intermediate Chinese
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Prerequisite: CHIN 30a or equivalent. Four class hours per week.
Continuation of CHIN 30a. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Lu
JAPN
10a
Beginning Japanese
Meets four days per week for a total of four class hours per week and one half-hour tutoring session per week.
Intended for students with little or no previous knowledge of Japanese. This course offers intensive training in the basics of Japanese grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students acquire Japanese language proficiency through various interactive classroom activities, workbook, audio, video, and computer-assisted exercises. Usually offered every fall.
Ms. Fujiwara
JAPN
20b
Continuing Japanese
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 10a or the equivalent. Meets four days per week for a total of four class hours per week and one half-hour tutoring session per week.
Continuation of JAPN 10a. Further development of the basics of Japanese grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students acquire Japanese language proficiency through various interactive classroom activities, workbook, audio, video, writing essays, and computer-assisted exercises. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Fujiwara
JAPN
30a
Intermediate Japanese
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 20b or the equivalent. Meets four days per week for a total of four class hours per week and one half-hour tutoring session per week.
Continuation of JAPN 20b. This course aims to further develop a student's four language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese through various classroom activities, workbook, audio, video, and writing essays. Usually offered every fall.
Ms. Nakano
JAPN
40b
Advanced Intermediate Japanese
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 30a or the equivalent. Meets four days per week for a total of four class hours per week and one half-hour tutoring session per week.
Continuation of JAPN 30a. Further refining of a student's four language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese through various classroom activities, workbook, audio, video, and writing essays. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Nakano
East Asian Studies: Contemporary East Asia Social Science Courses
ANTH
178b
Culture and Power in East Asia
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Examines the role of culture in changing gender power relations in East Asia by exploring how the historical legacy of Confucianism in the region influences the impact of changes such as the constitutional proclamation of gender equality and rapid industrialization. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Uretsky
ECON
30a
The Economy of China
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Prerequisite: ECON 2a or 10a.
Analysis of China's economic transformation with particular emphasis on China's economic reforms since 1978, including the restructuring of its enterprise, fiscal, financial, and political systems and the roles of trade, foreign investment, and technology in driving China's economic advance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Jefferson
HIST
176b
Japan and Korea in Modern World History
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Investigates the long and problematic history of interactions and exchanges between Japan and Korea from early times to the present. Topics include language, migration, art, architecture, material culture, popular culture, propaganda, and warfare. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. James
POL
147a
The Government and Politics of China
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Introduction to major themes of Chinese politics, emphasizing the rise of the Chinese Communists and the post-1949 trends in domestic politics, while also surveying historical, sociological, and cultural influences in Chinese politics. Attention to the nature of the traditional state, impact of colonialism, national revolution, and the course of contemporary state development. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Thaxton
POL
148a
Seminar: Contemporary Chinese Politics
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A broad and in-depth understanding of key issues in contemporary Chinese politics--China after 1949. Emphasis on the role of the state in promoting economic development, social betterment, political stability, and justice. Special attention to the Tiananmen Protest Movement of 1989. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Thaxton
POL
179a
China's Global Rise: The Challenge to Democratic Order
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Explores the implications of China's global rise for the global democratic order constructed by the United States in the aftermath of World War II. Among other issues, we will ask whether China's international strategy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America poses a serious challenge to democratic nations and their support for democratization. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Thaxton
East Asian Studies: Creative Arts Electives
FA
34a
History of Asian Art
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May not be taken for credit by students who took FA 12a in prior years.
A selective survey of the art of the three major Asian areas: India, China, and Japan. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Wong
FA
70b
The Art of China
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A survey of Chinese art from antiquity to the modern period. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Wong
FA
71b
The Art of Japan
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A survey of Japanese art from antiquity to the modern period. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Wong
FA
72b
Introduction to Korean Art
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Surveys Korean arts and material culture, from the Neolithic to the mid-20th century. Covers archaeology, religious and secular arta/artifacts of the Three Kingdoms, United Sillia, and Koryo periods. Covers Choson dynasty and Colonial period. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Kim
FA
170a
Arts of the Ming Dynasty
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Examines a broad array of arts from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The first half of the course focuses on activities in and around the Chinese court. The second half concentrates on monuments related to literati and popular cultures. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Wong
FA
171b
Buddhist Art
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The history of Buddhist art on the Silk Road. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Wong
FA
172b
Ink Painting in Taiwan and Hong Kong: Chinese Renaissance in Exile
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Prerequisite: One course in Fine Arts or East Asian Studies. Ability to read Chinese is recommended.
Examines the evolution of modernism in Taiwan and Hong Kong through the lens of art history, especially ink painting between the 1950s and 1990s. Issues to be studied include cultural orthodoxy, abstraction, exhibitions and education, postcoloniality, nativism, and calligraphic interventions. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Wong
FA
173b
Art in Shanghai
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Examines the art and visual culture of Shanghai–China's symbol of modernity–from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries, encompassing painting, architecture, calligraphy, fashion, advertising, among other topics. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Wong
FA
191a
Seminar on Chinese Calligraphy and Practice
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Prerequisite: Some knowledge of reading Chinese.
Introduces the major scripts and canonical works of Chinese calligraphy. Besides studying historical developments, students gain hands-on experience with producing their own works. The class combines theory and practice to advance understanding of the aesthetic, critical language, and the functions of this enduring art. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Wong
FA
197a
Studies in Asian Art
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May not be taken for credit by students who took FA 184a in prior years.
Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Wong
THA
130a
Suzuki
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Counts as one activity course toward the physical education requirement. Undergraduates may repeat this course twice for credit, once with each instructor.
Developed by the Japanese theater artist Tadashi Suzuki, the Suzuki method of acting training develops physical strength, stamina, and agility while engaging the imagination and will of the actor. Through a series of walks, statues, and marches, students are taught to breathe and move from the core of their bodies. This training allows students to act from physical impulse, resulting in a deep and personal experience of language and the world of play. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
East Asian Studies: Humanities Electives
CHIN
100a
Introduction to Chinese Literature: Desire and Form
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Introduces Chinese literature, focusing primarily on Chinese "classical" literary traditions and their metamorphosis in modern times. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
105a
Advanced Conversation and Composition I
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 40b or the equivalent.
Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through listening and reading authentic or slightly modified materials, discussing and writing on various topics of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every fall.
Staff
CHIN
105b
Advanced Conversation and Composition II
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 105a or the equivalent.
Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their speaking proficiency and writing skills. Speaking skills will be developed through guided conversation, discussion of texts and films, and oral presentation. Exercises and essays will be used to improve students' writing skills. Usually offered every spring.
Staff
CHIN
106b
Business Chinese and Culture
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Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
An advanced Chinese course where students develop their language proficiency and cultural knowledge in professional settings such as the workplace. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese and is designed for students who want to sharpen their language skills and reach a higher level of proficiency in which they are able to read newspapers, magazines, or professional documents, as well as to improve their communicative ability and enhance their self-confidence in Chinese workplaces. Usually offered every second spring.
Staff
CHIN
120a
Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language
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Prerequisite: CHIN 105a or equivalent.
For advanced students of Chinese, an introduction to contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. Focuses on significant expansion of vocabulary and grammar, and on providing students an opportunity to develop and polish both oral and written skills through class discussion, presentations, and writing assignments. Usually offered every fall.
Staff
CHIN
120b
Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language II
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Prerequisite: CHIN 120a or equivalent.
Continuation of CHIN 120a. Study of contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. These stories not only represent new literary themes and linguistic expressions, but also reflect the modernization, commercialization, and urbanization that is transforming China. The course improves students' knowledge of the language, as well as enhancing their understanding of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every spring.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
126a
Advanced Conversational Chinese
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Prerequisite: CHIN 105b or equivalent.
For advanced students of Chinese, this course further develops their Chinese speaking proficiency in both information and formal styles. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese and is designed for students who want to improve their communicative ability in Chinese. Focuses on significant expansion of vocabularies, grammars, and genuine expressions used by Chinese in their daily life, as well as enhancing students' understanding of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Wei
CHIN
130b
China on Film: The Changes of Chinese Culture
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Taught in English. All films viewed have English subtitles.
Focuses on the enormous changes under way in Chinese society, politics, and culture. Helps students to identify and understand these fundamental transformations through a representative, exciting selection of readings and films. Usually offered every second spring.
Staff
CHIN
136b
Chinese Modernism in International Context
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Taught in English.
Examines the origins, recurrences, and metamorphosis of modernistic styles and movements in twentieth-century Chinese literature, film, fine art, and intellectual discourses. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
136bj
Chinese Modernism in International Context
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Taught in English.
Examines the origins, recurrences, and metamorphosis of modernistic styles and movements in twentieth-century Chinese literature, film, fine art, and intellectual discourses. Offered as part of JBS program.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
140a
Yin Yu Tang Documents, Decoding the Late Qing and Early Republic Writings (I)
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Prerequisites: CHIN 120a and 120b, or permission of the instructor.
Teaches fundamental skills to decode the late Qing and early Republic writings in print or in hand-writing by recognizing and translating the Yin Yu Tang documents. Students of this course will also gain knowledge of Chinese society and culture of this period. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
CLAS
135a
The Silk Road: China Looks West, the Mediterranean Looks East
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This course is an introduction to the Silk Road and its role as a facilitator of cross-cultural contacts. It covers a wide variety of topics ranging from trade and politics to religion and language to art and archaeology. In addition to the ancient Chinese, the Romans, and Greeks, we also consider the Mongols, Arabs, and Persians. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Koh
COML
146b
Classical East Asian Poetics
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An introduction to the classical poetic forms of China, Japan, and Korea. Special consideration is paid to issues of canonization, classical theories of literature, and the development of multilingual literary traditions. All readings are in English. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
105a
Advanced Conversation and Composition I
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 40b or the equivalent. Four class hours per week.
Continuation of JAPN 40b. For advanced students of Japanese who wish to enhance and improve their speaking proficiency as well as reading and writing skills. Students will develop their proficiency in reading and speaking through texts, films, videos and discussions on current issues on Japanese society. Various forms of writing will be assigned to improve students' writing skills. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Nakano
JAPN
105b
Advanced Conversation and Composition II
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 105a or the equivalent. Four class hours per week.
Continuation of JAPN 105a. For advanced students of Japanese who wish to enhance and improve their speaking proficiency as well as reading and writing skills. Students will develop their proficiency in reading and speaking through texts, films, videos and discussions on current issues on Japanese society. Various forms of writing will be assigned to improve students' writing skills. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Nakano
JAPN
120a
Topics in Contemporary Japanese Culture and Society
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Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in JAPN 105b or the equivalent.
Provides advanced students of Japanese an opportunity to develop reading and writing skills through class discussion, presentation, group work and writing in different genres as a preparation for further advanced studies in Japanese. Familiarizes students with different facets of contemporary Japanese culture and society. Readings are supplemented by films and related visual materials. Usually offered every fall.
Ms. Fujiwara
JAPN
120b
Readings in Modern Japanese Literature
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Prerequisite: JAPN 120a or the equivalent.
Students read, analyze, discuss, and write about Japanese short fiction by a wide range of modern and contemporary authors. Screening of film adaptations and television programs complement class discussion, which is conducted in Japanese. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
125b
Putting Away Childish Things: Coming of Age in Modern Japanese Literature and Film
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Explores the ways in which modern Japanese writers and filmmakers have represented childhood, youth, and coming of age. A variety of short stories, novels, and memoirs from the 1890s to the present day are read, and several recent films are also screened. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
130a
The Literature of Multicultural Japan
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"Multicultural" may not be an adjective that many associate with Japan, but as we will find in this class, Japan's modern literary and cinematic tradition is rich with works by and about resident Koreans, Ainu, Okinawans, outcasts, and sexual and other marginalized minorities. Why then does the image of a monocultural Japan remain so resilient? Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
135a
Screening National Images: Japanese Film and Anime in Global Context
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All films and readings are in English.
An introduction to some major directors and works of postwar Japanese film and anime with special attention to such issues as genre, medium, adaptation, narrative, and the circulation of national images in the global setting. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
140a
The World of Early Modern Japanese Literature
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A survey of the most celebrated works of literature from Japan's early modern period (1600-1868). Explores a wide range of genres, including fiction, travelogues, memoirs, dramatic forms such as the puppet theater and kabuki, as well as poetry in Japanese and Chinese. All readings are available in English translation; Japanese knowledge is not required. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
JAPN
145a
The World of Classical Japanese Literature
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A survey of some of the most important works of Japanese literature from its origins to the late sixteenth century, including a wide range of genres: fiction, essays, travelogues, poetry, and drama. All readings are in English. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Fraleigh
REL
151a
The Buddha: His Life and Teachings
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Few human beings have had as much impact on the world as Siddhartha Gotama Shakyamuni, known to us as Buddha. This course explores his life and teachings as reflected in early Buddhist literature and Western scholarship. Usually offered every year.
Staff
REL
161a
Chinese Religion and Thought: Understanding Confucianism and Daoism (Taoism)
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This course aims at widening and deepening students' knowledge of world religions by introducing to them distinctive Chinese religions and schools of thought with emphasis on two most significant ones, namely, Confucianism and Taoism. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Feng
East Asian Studies: Other Elective Courses
CHIN
98a
Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
A continuation of CHIN 40b. Includes an introduction to readings in modern Chinese literature. Usually offered every year.
Staff
CHIN
98b
Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
A continuation of CHIN 98a. Usually offered every year.
Staff
CHIN
200a
Practical Chinese Phonetics, Lexics, Syntax, and Pragmatics
Prerequisite: Fluency in Chinese and ability to read Chinese books and articles. Required of all students in MAT Chinese.
Focuses on the fundamental characteristics of modern Chinese language with emphasis on pronunciation and grammar structure. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Lu
CHIN
201a
Chinese Pedagogy I
Required of all students in MAT Chinese and MTCC.
Equips students with the most advanced and updated skills in teaching modern Chinese with an emphasis on beginning and intermediate levels. This course covers a great range of topics to ensure efficient and successful instruction. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
CHIN
202b
Chinese Pedagogy II
Prerequisite: CHIN 201a. Required of MTCC students.
Continuation of CHIN 201a. Emphasizes the instruction of advanced Chinese. Two important sets of theories and practice will be introduced and discussed, the Four Subsystem Theory and Prosodic Theory. Task-based teaching on an advanced level, contents-centered textbook, and correction of advanced composition will also be discussed. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
HIST
180a
The Global Opium Trade: 1755-Present
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Investigates the history of the opium trade from early times to present. Coverage will include the Anglo-Indian opium trade, the Opium Wars; the political economy of the legal trade; and the complex ramifications of its prohibition. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. James
HIST
182b
Modern China
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Surveys Chinese history from the Ming to Mao, with an emphasis on political, social, cultural, and literary trends; and attention toward ethnic minorities and overseas communities and diaspora. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Hang
HIST
183a
Empire at the Margins: Borderlands in Late Imperial China
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Explores Ming and Qing China's frontiers with Japan, Korea, Inner Asia, Vietnam, and the ocean from the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries, examining the role of borderlands in forging the present-day multiethnic Chinese state and East Asian national identities. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Hang
HIST
184a
Silk, Silver, and Slaves: China and the Industrial Revolution
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Examines why industrial capitalism, which underpins the current world order, first developed in Western Europe rather than China. Comparative treatment of commercialization, material culture, cities, political economies, and contingencies on both ends of Eurasia in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Hang
HIST
184b
Swashbuckling Adventurers or Sea Bandits? The Chinese Pirate in Global Perspective
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Explores the commercial role, political economy, social structure, and national imaginations of the Chinese pirate situated in both world history and in comparison to "piracies" elsewhere. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Hang
HIST
185a
The China Outside China: Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Diaspora in the Making of Modern China
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Studies the history of Chinese outside Mainland China, from Hong Kong and Taiwan to Siberia and Africa, from fifteenth century to present day. Ambivalence to ancestral and adopted homelands made these communities valuable agents of transnational exchange and embodiments of Chinese modernity. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Hang
JAPN
98a
Readings in Japanese
May be taken only with the permission of the Chair or the Undergraduate Advising Head.
Readings and reports under faculty supervision. Usually offered every year.
Staff
JAPN
98b
Readings in Japanese
May be taken only with the permission of the Chair or the Undergraduate Advising Head.
Readings and reports under faculty supervision. Usually offered every year.
Staff
POL
167a
United States and China in World Politics
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Issues in U.S.-China relations, including Taiwan and Tibet, the formation of a Greater China, military security and use of nuclear weapons, human rights, Chinese and American versions of nationalism and internationalism, and others. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Thaxton