Curriculum
Major in Asian Studies
Students who wish to undertake Asian Studies as a major field
of concentration are required to successfully complete East Asian
Civilization (HIS‑135) or Modern South Asia (ACS 185) and
participate in an overseas study program in Asia. One of the
ACM overseas study programs (India Studies or Japan Study), one
of the Coe's foreign exchange programs (Chiang Mai University
of Thailand, Nagoya Gakuin University of Japan, Sookmyong University
in South Korea, or Wuhan University in China), or Coe's
Spring Term in Asia (OCC 004) is acceptable. In addition students
must complete four other courses in the major. Courses in the
four areas may be taken at Coe or in a second semester of an
overseas study programs.
Approved Courses: Art of China and Japan (ART-275); May
Term in Asia (ASC-100); Economic Development (ECO-435)
or International Economics (ECO-445); Asian Literature
(ENG-205); Elementary Japanese I, II (JPN-155,-165);
Intermediate Japanese I, II (JPN-215,-225); East Asian Civilization
(HIS-135), The American War in Vietnam (HIS-215), History
of Modern China (HIS-245), History of Modern Japan (HIS-255),
Topics in History (HIS-345), when appropriate, Seminar
in East Asian History (HIS-755); Asian Politics (POL-285);
Eastern Religions (REL-035), Buddhist Thought (REL-200), Hindu
Gods and Goddesses, (REL-205); or China and
Japan (ASC-175).
Minor in Asian Stidies
The minor in Asian Studies consists
of six courses, including East Asian Civilization (HIS-135)
or Modern South Asia (ASC-185). The remaining five courses shall
be chosen from among the following, through consultation with
the Asian Studies advisor: Art of China and Japan (ART-275);
Economic Development (ECO-435) or International
Economics (ECO-445); Asian Literature (ENG-205);
Elementary Japanese I, II (JPN-155,-165); Intermediate
Japanese I, II (JPN-215,-225); The American War in Vietnam (HIS-215),
History of Modern China (HIS-245), History of Modern Japan
(HIS-255), Topics in History (HIS-345), when appropriate, Seminar
in East Asian History (HIS-755); Asian Politics (POL-285);
Eastern Religions (REL-035), Buddhist Thought (REL-200), Hindu
Gods and Goddesses (REL-205); or China and Japan
(ASC-175).
Courses in Asian Studies
ASC-100 May Term in Asia
Study abroad in Asia during May Term under the supervision of
a Coe instructor. Sites and content varies depending on the instructor.
When appropriate, may count as a course in the major. May be
repeated if offered in different locations. Prerequisite: permission
of instructor (Offered May Term only)
ASC-175 China and Japan
An interdisciplinary examination of themes and ideas central
to understanding the cultures of China and Japan. Materials used
include primary texts in Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism,
as well as works of poetry, fiction, and visual art.
ASC-185 Modern South Asia
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka from a modern perspective.
The preoccupation with identity, the reemergence of caste and
religious conflicts, the strengths and weaknesses of political
and economic development, and the implication of trends for the
future. Includes selected topics on culture and history that
provide insights to understanding the present.
ART-275 Art of China and
Japan
A survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture of East Asia
from the prehistoric period to the 18th century. (Offered alternate
years.)
ECO-435 Economic Development
The definition of development and underdevelopment in the modern
context. A consideration of the process and problems of development
in the presently less developed countries, strategies of planning
for growth with distributional equity, the contribution of resources
and capital, and the role of foreign trade and aid. Prerequisites:
Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 205) and Principles of Microeconomics
(ECO 215).
ECO-445 International Economics
A study of the theories of international trade and the theoretical
constructs needed to understand balance of payments, foreign
exchange markets, commercial and trade policy, regional economic
groupings, and foreign investments. Consideration of the nature
of the emerging international monetary system. Prerequisites:
Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 205) and Principles of Microeconomics
(ECO 215).
ENG-205 Asian Literature
An examination of one of the national literatures of Asia or
some topic concerning Asian literature. Topics and materials
may change each time the course is offered. Possible topics include
Classical Chinese Literature, Classical Japanese Literature,
Modern Japanese Fiction, the Modern Indian Novel. May be repeated
with consent of the instructor, provided the topics are substantially
different. May be repeated for credit toward the English major
with consent of the department chair.
JPN-155 Elementary Japanese I
Beginning Japanese phonology, structure, and vocabulary. Study
of hiragana and katakana syllabaries with introduction of some
kanji.
JPN-165 Elementary Japanese II
Continuing study of Japanese phonology, structure and vocabulary.
Study of hiragana and katakana syllabaries with introduction
of some kanji.
JPN-215 Intermediate Japanese I
Reading and discussion of selected Japanese texts, with continued
work on grammatical structures. Increased emphasis on kanji.
Prerequisite: Elementary Japanese II (JPN-165) or consent of
the instructor.
JPN-225 Intermediate Japanese II
Reading and discussion of selected Japanese texts, with continued
work on grammatical structures. Increased emphasis on kanji.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Japanese I (JPN-215) or consent of
the instructor.
HIS-135 East Asian Civilization
A survey of East Asian civilization, with emphasis on China from
its origins to 1700. Particular attention is paid to cultural
and political factors.
HIS-215 The American War in Vietnam
Examines the American war in Vietnam from its earliest roots
to its latest ramifications and from multiple perspectives. Emphases
include the French Indochina War, American policy debate, the
sources of American policy, Vietnamese perspectives, and the
war in fiction and film. Prerequisite: History of the United
States Since 1865 (HIS-155) or consent of the instructor.
HIS-245
History of Modern China
A history of modern China since 1700. Chinese states and society
from the height of Qing culture, through the impact of the West
and Japan, the rise of Chinese Republicanism and Marxism, the
Liberation of 1949, the Great Leap Forward, the death of Mao
Zedong, and rule of Deng Xiaoping, up to the present day.
HIS-255 History of Modern Japan
A history of modern Japan since 1700. Historical analysis of
Edo period culture, politics and society, rapid Meiji era changes,
constitutionalism and imperialism, Japan’s expansion in
Asia, World War II, the post-war social change, and economic
recovery and rise to international leadership, up to the present.
HIS-755 Seminar in East Asian History
An intensive reading and research seminar on selected topics
in the history of China and Japan.
POL-285 Asian Politics
Examines the broad variety of Asian political systems through
case studies of selected countries that are authoritarian, communist,
transitioning, or established democracies. Issues confronted
include: the East Asian economic miracle, the character of Asian
democracies, and the role of ethnicity and religion in politics.
The tension in the region between economic growth and political
control receives particular attention. Prerequisite: Introduction
to Politics (POL 105) or consent of instructor. (Offered alternate
years.)
REL-035 Eastern Religions
An introductory survey of some of the major religions of the
Indian subcontinent and the Far East. Religions to be discussed
include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.
(Annual offering)
REL-200 Buddhist Thought
A study of the beliefs and practices of the major traditions
of Buddhism in Asia. An examination of various Buddhist views
on the true nature of reality, the nature of the mind, and the
path to enlightenment. This course examines both the historical
development and contemporary expression of these Buddhist teachings.
(Cross-listed as PHL-200) Prerequisite: REL-035 Eastern Religions
or consent of the instructor.
REL-205 Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Examines the iconography, mythology, and theology of the major
deities worshipped on the Indian subcontinent. An analysis of
the religious meaning of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and Kali
for their devotees in contemporary Hinduism. Prerequisite: REL-035
Eastern Religions or consent of the instructor.
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