Director: Martha Kaplan (Anthropology: South Asia
and the Pacific); Steering Committee: Wenwei Du
(Chinese), E. H. Rick Jarow (Religion: South Asia), Jin
Jiang (History: East Asia), Jesse Kalin (Philosophy),
Seungsook Moon (Sociology), Aili Mu* (Chinese), Jin Park
(Religion), Anne Pike-Tay (Anthropology), Peipei Qiu
(Japanese), Sonoko Sakakibaraab (Japanese), Bryan
Van Norden (Philosophy: China), Andrew Watsky (Art History:
East Asia), Yu Zhou (Geography).
The Asian Studies Program provides students with a
multidisciplinary approach to the study of the history,
economics, politics, geography, languages and literatures,
religions, and cultures of the peoples of Asia. While
students are required to focus on a particular region of
Asia (e.g., East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asian, China,
Japan, India), including language study, intermediate and
advanced coursework, and a senior thesis in this area, they
are also expected to be familiar with other parts of Asia
through the introductory course and some coursework outside
their area of speciality. The senior seminar is intended to
address issues that affect several areas of Asia and Asian
Studies as a discipline. A student's course of study for the
major is designed in close consultation with the director
and an adviser. Students should obtain the application form,
which includes a statement of interest, from the program
office prior to meeting with the program director. This
should be done in the first semester of the sophomore year
if the student is intending to apply for JYA.
Study Abroad: Study abroad in some region of Asia
or some alternative structured field experience in Asia
greatly enhances a student's learning experience and
understanding of Asia and its regional complexities. It is
strongly recommended that Asian Studies majors avail
themselves of such an opportunity. Advice and literature on
different programs are available through the Offices of the
Dean of Studies and Asian Studies.
Requirements for the Concentration: 12 units of
which at least 7 are normally taken at Vassar. After
declaration of the major, all courses taken towards the
major must be graded. Students may request, however, that up
to one (1) unit of independent study or field work be
counted towards the major.
1)Asian Studies 105: Introduction to Asian Studies.
2)Language: Competency in one Asian foreign
language through the intermediate college level must be
achieved and demonstrated by completion of relevant courses
or special examination. A maximum of 4 units of Asian
language study above the introductory level will be counted
toward the 12 units for the major. Instruction is offered in
Chinese and Japanese, while Hindi and Korean may be taken
through the Self-Instructional Language Program.
3)Intermediate-Level Study: A minimum of 3 units
of intermediate course work (200-level) of direct relevance
to Asia in at least two disciplines, selected from the
Program and Approved courses listed below.
Recommendation: At least two of these courses should
be related to the student's regional focus within Asia and
at least one should be outside the area of regional
specialty.
4)Advanced-Level Work: A minimum of 3 units at the
300-level including the designated Asian Studies "Senior
Seminar" (in 2000/01 Asian Studies 366b), 1 unit of thesis
work (Asian Studies 300-301 or Asian Studies 302), and at
least one additional 300-level seminar from the list of
Approved Courses below. The senior seminar and the thesis
constitute the Senior Year Requirement.
5)Recommendation for Discipline-Specific Courses:
The Asian Studies major is an interdisciplinary area
studies program. While Asian Studies majors do course work
related to Asia in several different departments, majors are
expected to identify one or two disciplines in which they
will develop a theoretical or methodological sophistication
that they will bring to bear on their study of Asia,
particularly in their fulfillment of senior year
requirements.
6)Recommendation for Area-Specific Courses: In
mapping out a plan of study, students should try to include
the following: three or four courses (not including language
study) that focus on a student's geographical area of
specialization within Asia; and two courses that include a
geographic area other than one's region of focus (one of
which will be Asian Studies 105).
Correlate Sequence in Chinese Language:
61/2 units chosen among Chinese
105, 106, 205, 206, 298, 305, 306, and 399; at least 5 units
must be taken above the 100-level and two courses must be
taken at the letter-graded 300-level.
Correlate Sequence in Japanese Language:
61/2 units chosen among Japanese
105, 106, 205, 206, 305, 306, 350, 351, and 399; at least 5
units must be taken above the 100-level and two courses must
be taken at the 300-level.
In both correlate sequences, Junior Year Abroad and
summer courses may be substituted with program approval. 4
units must be taken at Vassar. Courses available for letter
grades must be taken for letter grades.
I. Program Courses
105a. Introduction to Asian Studies (1)
A survey of the peoples and regions of East and South
Asia. Dynamic and enduring historical processes and events
comprise foundation topics of the course, including regional
geography, human origins and migrations, language diversity,
political and economic systems, and the origins and
development of belief systems and their expressions. The
course considers common threads which run throughout Asia as
well as developments unique to particular regions. Mr. Jarow
and Ms. Jiang.
130b. Introduction to Modern Japanese Society and
Culture (1)
An introduction to aspects of modern Japanese society and
culture, including women in Japanese society, the life of
young professionals and college students in Japan, the place
of traditional culture and custom in modern Japan, cultural
misunderstandings between Japanese and other cultures, and
language and communications in Japan. The course emphasizes
comparative analyses between a student's own culture and
society and Japanese culture and society. Instructor to be
announced.
180a. Religions of China, Korea, and Japan (1)
(Same as Religion 180a) An introduction to the religious
tradition and culture of East Asia with an emphasis on
Buddhism and Confucianism. Attention is given to issues of
Buddhist meditation, Confucian self-motivation, and their
relation to society in the modern world. Ms. Park.
[210. Introduction to Chinese Literature: Poetry
and Fiction] (1)
The major genres of works of poetry and fiction, both
classical and modern. Emphasis is on close readings and
discussions of chosen texts (in English translation) to
explore various themes that reflect Chinese society and
culture. Cinematic adaptations of fiction are presented and
Chinese poetic and narrative principles introduced.
Prerequisite: One course in Asian Studies, or literature,
or permission.
Not offered in 2000/01.
211b. Chinese Drama and Theater (1)
An introduction to the major Chinese dramatic genres --
zaju, chuanqi, kunqu, Beijing Opera, and
Modern Spoken Drama --through a close reading of selected
plays in English translation. Scheduled films of
performances convey Chinese theatrical conventions and
aesthetics. Discussions focus on major themes reflecting
aspects of Chinese society and culture. Mr. Du.
Prerequisite: One course in literature, Asian Studies, or
permission.
[212a. Chinese Film and Contemporary Fiction]
(1)
An introduction to Chinese film through its adaptations
of contemporary stories. Focus is on internationally
well-known films by the fifth and sixth generation of
directors since the late 1980s. Early Chinese films from the
1930s to the 1970s are also included in the screenings. The
format of the course is to read a series of stories in
English translations and to view their respective cinematic
versions. The discussions concentrate on cultural and social
aspects as well as on comparison of themes and viewpoints in
the two genres. Mr. Du.
Prerequisite: One course in Asian Studies, or literature,
or permission.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[220. Traditional Japanese Literature]
(1)
An exploration of Japanese literary tradition through
readings in translation and discussion of the major works
from the eighth to the eighteenth centuries. Works studied
cover a wide range of literary genres, including the oldest
extant anthology of Japanese verse, Manyoshu
(Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves, eighth-century); the
tenth-century lyrical prose, The Tale of the Bamboo
Cutter and Tales of Ise; the early
eleventh-century long novel, The Tale of Genji; the
medieval miscellanies, The Ten Foot Square Hut and
The Essays in Idleness; Zeami's (1363-1443) dramatic
theory and his Noh play; Ihara Saikaku's (1642-93) fiction;
the puppet plays by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1734), and
Matsuo Basho's (1644-94) haiku. Issues addressed include the
cultural traditions, the aesthetic principles, and the
characteristics of different literary forms and individual
authorial/narrative voices. Ms. Qiu.
Prerequisite: One course in literature, or Asian Studies,
or permission.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[240. Women in China] (1)
An interdisciplinary survey of women and gender in
Chinese society and their modern transformation. The course
examines from an historical perspective ideologies, social
institutions, and literary representations of women and
gender. Specific topics explored include the concept of Yin
and Yang, sex and sexuality in ancient times, Confucian
ideology concerning women and gender, marriage and
concubinage, foot binding, and women's liberation in
twentieth-century Chinese revolution. A variety of primary
sources from historical, literary, and visual materials are
used. Ms. Jiang.
Prerequisite: One course in history, Asian Studies, or
permission.
Not offered in 2000/01.
250b. Topics in Asian Studies (1)
Selected topics in Asian Studies. May be repeated for
credit when a new topic is offered.
Open to nonmajors.
Topic for 2000/01b: Women in Japanese and Chinese
Literature An intercultural examination of the images of
women presented in Japanese and Chinese narrative, drama,
and poetry from their early emergence to the modern period.
While giving critical attention to aesthetic issues and the
gendered voices in representative works, the course also
provides a comparative view of the dynamic changes in
women's roles in Japan and China. All selections in English
translation. Ms. Qiu.
Prerequisite: One course in literature, Asian Studies, or
permission.
281b. Women in the Asian Imagination (1)
(Same as Religion 281b) A critical investigation of the
images of women in East Asian religions (Confucianism,
Buddhism, Taoism and Shamanism) and their influences on the
positions of women in East Asian societies and cultures. Ms.
Park.
Prerequisite: One course in religion, Asian Studies, or
permission.
350a. Seminar in Asian Studies (1)
An examination of selected topics relevant to the study
of Asia in an interdisciplinary framework. Topics vary from
year to year.
May be repeated for credit when a new topic is
offered.
Open to nonmajors.
(Same as Religion 350a) Topic for 2000/01: The Goddess
Traditions of India, China, and Tibet. Beginning with a
study of the Great Mother Goddess tradition of India and its
branching out into China and Tibet, this course considers
the history, myths, and practices associated with the
various goddess traditions in Hinduism and Buddhism. The
relationship of the goddess and her worship to issues of
gender, caste, and ethics, and spiritual practice are also
considered. Mr. Jarow.
366b. Colonial and Post Colonial Societies (1)
(Same as Anthropology 366; serves as the Asian Studies
"Senior Seminar" for 2000/01). This course examines recent
scholarship on colonial and post-colonial societies.
Beginning with classic critiques of Western colonialism, the
course also considers non-Western imperial projects, and
examines increasingly attentive scholarship on experiences
of colonization, and the rise of anti-colonial and
nationalist movements, turning finally to works on
decolonization and post-coloniality. The course reviews
analytic paradigms from world system to discourse theories,
and considers cases drawn from Asia, the Pacific, and Latin
America. Ms. Kaplan.
II. Language Courses
Chinese
105a-106b. Elementary Chinese
(11/2)
A study of the national language (Kuo Yü).
While the approach is aural-lingual, the reading and writing
skills are introduced early in the beginning of the program.
The two semesters cover over 500 characters. Grammatical
analysis, pattern drills, and conversational practice are
stressed throughout. Mr. Du.
Open to all classes.
Five 50-minute periods. Two laboratory hours.
205a-206b. Intermediate Chinese
(11/2)
Further practice in conversation and learned patterns;
acquisition of new grammatical structures, vocabulary, and
about 800 additional characters. Texts include cultural
topics on literature, language, religion, customs, history,
geography. Mr. Du.
Prerequisite: Chinese 105-106 or 3 entrance units, or
permission of instructor.
Five 50-minute periods.
305a/306b. Advanced Chinese (1)
Intensified instruction in the reading of original
Chinese language materials, including novels, essays, poems,
plays, newspapers, documents. Ms. Mu.
Prerequisite: Chinese 205-206 or permission of
instructor.
Japanese
105a-106b. Elementary Japanese
(11/2)
An introduction to modern Japanese. Students develop
communicative skills based on the fundamentals of grammar,
vocabulary and conversational expressions. Emphasis on both
oral and written proficiency. The course introduces hiragana
and katakana syllabaries as well as approximately 600
kanji (Chinese characters). Ms. Qiu.
Open to all classes.
Five 50-minute periods.
205a-206b. Intermediate Japanese
(11/2)
This course puts equal emphasis on the further
development of oral-aural proficiency and reading-writing
skills with an intense review of basic grammar as well as an
introduction of more advanced grammar, new vocabulary,
expressions, and another 600 kanji (Chinese
characters).
Prerequisite: Japanese 105-106 or permission of
instructor.
Five 50-minute periods.
305a/306b. Advanced Japanese (1)
This course is designed to develop each student's ability
to read contemporary Japanese text from newspapers,
magazines, and literary works, with a solid grammatical
foundation and mastery of kanji, as well as gaining
proficiency in writing at an advanced level. Continued
training in aural-oral proficiency in spoken Japanese
through exercises, classroom interactions and audio-visual
materials.
Prerequisite: Japanese 205-206 or permission of
instructor.
350a/351b. Advanced Readings in Modern Japanese
(1)
This course aims to further develop the advanced
student's reading and writing proficiency. It distinguishes
itself from the regular Advanced Japanese in assuming
oral-aural fluency prior to taking the course. It emphasizes
a faster pace of reading and covers a larger volume of
reading materials. Ms. Watsky.
Prerequisite: Japanese 305/306 or permission of
instructor.
Prerequisite for field work or independent study: 2 units
of work in approved Asian studies courses. Permission of the
program director is required for all independent work.
290a or b. Field Work (1/2 or
1)
298a or b. Independent Study
(1/2 or 1)
300-301. Senior Thesis
(1/2)
A 1-unit thesis written over two semesters.
302a or b. Senior Thesis (1)
A 1-unit thesis written in the fall or spring semester.
Students may elect this option only in exceptional
circumstances and by special permission of the program
director.
399a or b. Senior Independent Study
(1/2 or 1)
IV. Approved Courses
In addition to the Program courses and language courses
listed above, there are Approved Courses given in other
departments and programs. These can count towards an Asian
Studies major. Look under the respective departments for
course descriptions and semester or year offered. An updated
list of approved courses is available in the Asian Studies
Program Office at the beginning of each term. Students are
also urged to consult the additional course offerings of
Asian Studies Program faculty members listed under their
home departments; while these courses may not focus
specifically on Asia, they often include case studies,
examples, or materials related to regions of Asia.
Anthropology 240 Area Studies in Ethnography (when Asian)
(1)
Anthropology 366 Problems in Cultural Analysis (when
Asian) (1)
Art 257 The Arts of China (1)
Art 258 The Arts of Japan (1)
Art 259 Japanese Art of the Momoyama Period, 1568-1615
(1)
Art 358 Seminar in Asian Art (1)
English 228 Asian-American Literature (1)
English 326 Studies in Ethnic American Literature (1)
Geography 235 East Asia: People, Culture, and
Economic
Development (1)
Geography 340 Advanced Regional Studies (when Asian)
(1)
History 222 Modern China (1)
History 223 Contemporary China (1)
History 224 Modern Japan, 1860-1980s (1)
History 229 History of India (1)
History 323 Remembrance of War and Modern East Asian
Nations (1)
History 351 The Vietnam War (1)
Music 212 World Musics (1)
Philosophy 110 Early Chinese Philosophy (1)
Philosophy 210 Neo-Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism
(1)
Political Science 255 Government and Politics in South
Asia (1)
Political Science 267 NGOs and Global Society (1)
Religion 152 Eastern Religious Traditions (1)
Religion 231 Hindu Traditions (1)
Religion 233 Buddhist Traditions (1)
Religion 250 Across Religious Boundaries: Understanding
Differences (when topic is Asian) (1)
Religion 350 Comparative Studies in Religion (when
topic
is Asian) (1)
Sociology 236 Women, Men, and Social Change in East Asia
(1)
Sociology 257 Class, Gender, and Ethnicity/Race in
Asian
American Communities (1)
Sociology 382 Reenvisioning Women in the Third World
(1)
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