Interdepartmental Programs

ASIAN STUDIES MAJOR

Nordmann, Administrative Coordinator.

The Asian Studies major is designed to acquaint students with the great cultures of Asia, primarily those of China, India and Japan. The major is interdisciplinary and requires that the students take courses in the areas of art history, history, literature, and religion, and suggests that they also take courses in economics, music, and political science. Students who wish to undertake Asian Studies as a major field of concentration are required to successfully complete Civilization (HIS-136) or Modern South Asia (ACS-186) and participate in an overseas study program in Asia. One of the ACM overseas study programs (India Studies or Japan Study), one of 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 May Term in Asia (ASC-106) 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 term of an overseas study program.

Asian Studies Major

The major consists of 11 courses selected from the following:

ART-276 Art of China and Japan
ASC-106 May Term in Asia
ECO-436 Economic Development -OR- ECO-446 International Economics
ENG-206 Asian Literature
JPN-155 Elementary Japanese I
JPN-165 Elementary Japanese II
JPN-215 Intermediate Japanese I
JPN-225 Intermediate Japanese II
HIS-136 East Asian Civilization
HIS-217 The American War in Vietnam
HIS-246 History of Modern China
HIS-256 History of Modern Japan
HIS-316 Topics in History (when appropriate)
HIS-756 Seminar in East Asian History
POL-286 Asian Politics
REL-036 Eastern Religions
PHL/REL-206 Buddhist Thought
REL-216 Hindu Gods and Goddesses
ASC-176 China and Japan

Asian Studies Minor

The minor in Asian Studies consists of six courses, including East Asian Civilization (HIS-136) or Modern South Asia (ASC-186). The remaining five courses should be chosen from the following, through consultation with the Asian Studies Administrative Coordinator:

ART-276 Art of China and Japan
ECO-436 Economic Development -OR- ECO-446 International Economics
ENG-206 Asian Literature
JPN-155 Elementary Japanese I
JPN-165 Elementary Japanese II
JPN-215 Intermediate Japanese I
JPN-225 Intermediate Japanese II
HIS-217 The American War in Vietnam
HIS-246 History of Modern China
HIS-256 History of Modern Japan
HIS-316 Topics in History (when appropriate)
HIS-756 Seminar in East Asian History
POL-286 Asian Politics
REL-036 Eastern Religions
PHL/REL-206 Buddhist Thought
REL-216 Hindu Gods and Goddesses
ASC-176 China and Japan

Courses in Asian Studies

ASC-106 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: consent of instructor. (Offered May Term only)

ASC-176 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-186 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.