Check out these Asia-related courses being offered in the Fall!
There are several new courses in Tibetan language and civilization, as well as many other Asia-related courses being offered in the Fall!
ASIA 2000: Gateway to Asian Studies
T/Th 9:35-10:50 am
Remote/Online
Introduces the main themes and intellectual approaches of Asian Studies from a transdisciplinary perspective. Emphasis is on the interactions and links between geographic sub-regions and across national boundaries in the past and present. Through lectures, readings, and films, Asia is presented as both a powerful imaginary geography and a diverse, dynamic region that has shaped and been shaped by global patterns of colonialism, war, nation building, economic development, cultural exchange, and aspirations for better lives.
ASIA 4200: Politics of Memory and Heritage in Asia
(new course!)
T/Th 5:30-6:45 pm
In Person
Explores the uses of memory and heritage in the present-day politics of Asia. Examines how the past – historical events, heritage sites, shared memories – fuels nationalist movements, diplomatic disputes, grassroots activism, nostalgic tourism, and popular media. Delves especially into the legacies of colonialism and conflict in the region, highlighting how communities today seek justice and reconciliation in the wake of historical trauma. Engages with films, graphic novels, public art, photography, museums, monuments, archaeological sites, and more.
ASIA 4500: Urban Asia
M/W 5:50-7:05 pm
In Person
Explores change and continuity in urban Asia, using a transdisciplinary lens and a broad range of scholarship, film, art, and literature. Delves into both the rich history of Asian cities and the complexities of urban life in the region today. Topics include: the role of tradition and heritage, legacies of war and colonialism, concepts of modernity, rural to urban migration, poverty and gentrification, political activism, the impact of tourism, and environmental challenges.
ASIA 1700: Introduction to Tibetan Civilization
MWF 4:10-5:00 pm
In Person
Tenzin Tsepak
This course aims to provide a general overview of the civilization of Tibet. We will look at how Tibetan civilization came into existence and what are some major components of this civilization. The topics that we will study range from Tibet’s geography and its population, Tibet before Buddhism, early Tibetan empires, the rise of Buddhism, different schools of Tibetan Buddhism, arts and crafts, customs and traditions, and dance and music.
ASIA 4300 Special Topics in Asian Studies
Encounters: Tibet, the Himalayas, and the West
T/TH 2:20-3:35 pm
In Person
Tenzin Tsepak
Tibet and the Himalayas have long captured the imagination and fascination of the West. This course examines the history of encounters and interactions between Tibet, the Himalayas, and the West. Topics include early European knowledge about Tibet, historical accounts of various European missionaries, travelers, and merchants from the medieval to the early modern period, the construction of the myth of “Shangri-La,” and Tibetan ideas of the West and Western civilization.
INDO 1110: Beginning Indonesian 1 - DILS
M/W/F 1:50-2:40 pm
hybrid in person/remote
INDO 2110: Intermediate Indonesian 1 - DILS
M/W/F 8-8:50 am
hybrid in person/remote
TBTN 1110: Colloquial Tibetan 1
M/W/F 8-8:50 am
In Person
Tenzin Tsepak
Provides a thorough introduction to the colloquial Tibetan language, emphasizing speaking and listening in the Lhasa dialect. Trains students in basic conversations and the idiomatic and syntactical features of Tibetan through drills and dialogues.
TBTN 1210: Modern Literary Tibetan 1
M/W/F 9:10-10 am
In Person
Tenzin Tsepak
Provides a thorough introduction to the modern literary Tibetan, emphasizing reading and writing. Trains students in the Tibetan script, elementary grammar, and reading authentic materials, including Tibetan maxims, pop song lyrics, and children’s stories.
RLST 3550: Tibetan Buddhism
T/Th 3:55–5:10 pm
In Person
Holly Gayley
This course explores Tibetan Buddhism through sacred biographies, writings by historical and contemporary authors on the Buddhist path, and films that provide a visual window into Tibetan life worlds. Throughout the semester, we pay special attention to different kinds of Tibetan journeys: moving through the life cycle, treading the Buddhist path of self-cultivation, embarking on meditation in solitary retreat, traversing from death to rebirth in the bardo or intermediate state, and traveling on pilgrimage and into exile.
GEOG 3822: Geography of China
M/W 4:10 - 5:25 pm
format TBA
Tim Oakes
Geography of China explores the diverse human and environmental geographies of the world’s most populous country, with particular attention to understanding the dynamics of contemporary social, cultural, economic, technological and geo-political changes, as well as evaluating the growing influence of ‘global China’ around the world.
JPNS 3811: Love, Death, and Desire: Classical Japanese Literature in Translation
M/W 4:10-5:25 pm
format TBA
with ASIA 4001-004 Co-Seminar/CLAC
TH 2:20-4:20 (biweekly)
Marjorie Burge
ANTH 4525 Global Islams
T/Th 9:30-10:50
Remote
Carla Jones
This course studies Islam in its global configurations by situating its center outside of the Middle East. Through an analysis of the history of Islamic trade and migration to other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, Europe and North America, we will study the relationship between globalization and Islamic identity in the 21st century. In the process, we will discover how anthropologists frame and conduct their research we will encounter how human forms of community are simultaneously globally configured yet locally produced. Does fashion, finance, food or finance facilitate alternative global Muslim communities? Does it take more effort to be pious or secular? Does learning how young Muslim men in Egypt experience boredom, or young Muslim women in Indonesia experience fun, tell us anything about the role of religion in their lives? How does thinking about organ donation in a religious framework help us think about inequality?
HIST 4738: The History of Early Modern Japan (1590-1868)
T/Th 9:35-10:50
In Person
Marcia Yonemoto
This upper-division course will explore the mysteries and conundrums of early modern Japan: How did a state run by warriors (samurai) manage to maintain peace for over 200 years? How did a country with strictly limited foreign trade create substantial economic growth? How and why was it that commoners, not elites, were responsible for the major literary and artistic trends we now associate with “traditional” Japan? And why is Hokusai’s print of the "great wave" not a print of a wave at all?
RLST 2202: Islam
T/Th 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
format TBA
Aun Hasan Ali
Introduces students to foundational Islamic concepts, texts, core practices, historical narratives and intellectual, spiritual and literary traditions. Topics covered include: the figure of Muhammad; the Quran; the emergence of distinct Muslim identities; Hadith; Sharia; Islamic theology; Islamic philosophy; science in Islamic civilization; Islamic mysticism; the impact of colonialism and modernity on the Muslim world; gender and sexuality; political Islam.
HIST 1628: Introduction to Modern China (1644 - present)
T/Th 12:45 to 2:00 pm
format TBA
Timothy Weston
The class will be a combination of lecture and discussion and will provide students with enough historical knowledge to understand China’s role in the contemporary world.