Asian Studies (ASIA)

ASIA 1000 (3) Origins of Contemporary Southeast Asia

Explores the dynamic present of Southeast Asia in light of its complex past. Introduces the shared historical experiences that have shaped diverse Southeast Asian societies, with a focus on the continuing effects of colonialism, nationalism, and globalization in the region. Examines key issues facing contemporary Southeast Asian communities, including current debates around gender, faith, human rights, democracy, development, etc. Engages with Southeast Asian literature, film, art, journalism, and museum collections from a transdisciplinary perspective.

Recommended: Prerequisite students may find some prior coursework in history, anthropology, or Asian Studies to be helpful, but this is not required.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Diversity-Global Perspective

ASIA 1700 (3) Introduction to Tibetan Civilization

Explores the dynamic history of Tibet from its early empire to the present. An area in Asia the size of Western Europe, Tibetan cultural and ethnic communities span parts of China, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, northern India, and Pakistan. Shaped by the geography of the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan mountain ranges, Tibet is known as the watertower of Asia, home to the headwaters of almost all of Asia¿s major rivers. Long a crucial ecological and geopolitical region, Tibet is also home to rich artistic, literary, philosophical and religious traditions. This course offers interdisciplinary perspectives on Tibetan civilization and identity, including arts and literature, intellectual transformations, Tibetan society, and the role of Buddhism in Tibetan society and politics.

Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities

ASIA 2000 (3) Gateway to Modern Asia: Exploring Regional Connections

Introduces main themes, intellectual approaches used in Asian Studies through a transdisciplinary perspective that focuses on interactions and links between geographic regions and national boundaries. Presents Asia as a concept, a powerful imaginary geography, and historically dynamic construct that has shaped / been shaped by global patterns of economic development, nation building, war and diplomacy, colonialism and aspirations for better lives.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Human Diversity
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Diversity-Global Perspective
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 2500 (3) Catastrophe and Resilience: Asian Experience of Climate Change

This reading-intensive undergraduate course has two central aims: to survey key themes in Asian climate and society, and to explore new scholarship related to anthropocentric climate change and impacts in Asia, particularly from a community perspective. Climate and society broadly defined, is an interdisciplinary field with contributions primarily from climate sciences, paleo-climate, anthropology, environmental studies, archeology, geography and history.

Recommended: Prerequisite previous coursework in Asian Studies and Environmental Science.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 2852 (3) Contemporary Southeast Asia: Environmental Politics

Examines globally pressing questions of environmental sustainability, regional inequality and development in the dynamic and heterogeneous landscapes of contemporary Southeast Asia. Focuses on interactions between histories of uneven development and contemporary debates over energy and infrastructure, food security, governance and access to land, forest and water-based resources.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: GEOG 2852
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Diversity-Global Perspective
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 3300 (3) Sex and Gender in Asian Film and Literature

Explores issues of sex and gender in traditional and contemporary Asian cultures by looking at how sex and gendered roles are configured and play out in Asian cultures. Employs film and literary sources which reflect, subvert and act as agents of change in the dominant cultures.

Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 3900 (3) Discovering Urban China: Tradition, Modernity, Nostalgia

Explores the ways Chinese cities, especially Beijing and Shanghai, are depicted in scholarly articles, films, literature and population culture in terms of tradition, modernity and nostalgia. Begins by defining the terms then discusses texts dealing with these themes. Discussions are linked to what the students observe first-hand as they explore the cities. Takes place in China.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 4001 (1) Advanced Language Co-Seminar Arts and Humanities

Acts as a Co-Seminar for advanced Asian Studies students.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities

ASIA 4002 (1) Advanced Language Co-Seminar Social Sciences

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 4100 (3) China's Space Dream: Long March to the Moon and Beyond

This class will explore the history of China's interest in and development of space technology from the Mao era through today. China became the third country ever to launch a human into space in 2003 and has been expanding its space program ever since. Beijing has poured billions into its military-run space program, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and eventually sending humans to the Moon. Tracing the development of China's space industry chronologically, this class will consider the long-term policy and industry implications of the growing U.S. - China Space rivalry. Course texts will draw on primary source documents, policy analysis, business case analyses, and contemporary Chinese science fiction to understand the current context for this rivalry and make policy recommendations for the future.

Recommended: Prerequisites ASIA 2000 and/or ASEN 1969.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities

ASIA 4200 (3) Politics of Memory and Heritage in Asia

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.

Recommended: Prerequisite Familiarity with Asian history, social science or humanities courses.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 4300 (3) Open Topics in Asian Studies

Examines selected texts on a particular topic in the Arts & Humanities. Taught by regular or visiting faculty. Topics change each term.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 4400 (3) Open Topics in Asian Studies

Explores special social science topics in Asian Studies, including, but not limited to, social, political, economic, cultural, and international relations topics. Taught by regular or visiting faculty. Topics change each term.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ASIA 5400
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 4448 (3) Wars of Liberation in Southeast Asia

Uses the contemporary nations of Indonesia, Myanmar, and Singapore as case studies to examine the making and unmaking of European and Japanese colonialism in Southeast Asia in the years surrounding World War II. In what ways did diverse communities understand and narrate imperialism and independence? How can we understand wars of liberation as local, regional, and global experiences, with legacies for today?

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: HIST 5448 and HIST 4448
Requisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

ASIA 4500 (3) Urban Asia: Tradition, Modernity, Challenges

Explores change in urban Asia, the representation of Asian cities, and the challenges of urban life through a transdisciplinary and thematic approach using academic articles, documentaries, and literary materials. The class discusses the role of tradition, concepts of modernity, the impact of tourism, rural to urban migration, poverty, the effects of war, legacies of colonialism, and environmental challenges.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 4600 (3) Encounters: Tibet, the Himalayas, and the West

Provides a history of encounters and interactions between Tibet and the West from the classical times till the twentieth century. Explores the early medieval European knowledge about Tibet, followed by the historical accounts of various western missionaries, travelers, imperialists, and spiritualists to Tibet and the Himalayas including the growth of Tibetan Buddhism in the West from the last century, and Tibetan diaspora and migration to the West.

Recommended: Prerequisite ASIA 1700.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities

ASIA 4700 (3) Heroes, Madmen and Poets: Tibetan Literary Culture Through the Ages

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Tibetan literary writings, mostly secular, from the 12th to the 20th century. Students will read English translations of primary Tibetan texts (and secondary works) selected from a wide variety of genres such as history, epic, poetry, biography, literary arts (Five Minor Sciences), maxims, and fiction. Key topics include the formation of Tibetan Buddhist canons, the Gesar Epic (longest living epic in the world), the development of literary arts in Tibet, folk literature, life-writing, and the emergence of modern Tibetan literature. The course will familiarize students with the cultural, intellectual, and historical movements that have shaped the Tibetan literary landscape.

Recommended: Prerequisite ASIA 1700.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities

ASIA 4830 (3) Senior Seminar in Asian Studies

Participates in a discussion seminar on topics in Asian Studies, conducts research and writes a final paper or creates a final project on an approved Asian topic, following guidelines established by the program director. Required for an Asian Studies major but open to non-Asian Study majors.

Requisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 4840 (1-3) Independent Study

Provides an independent study opportunity, by special arrangement with Asian Studies faculty, for students with particular Asian Studies interests.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to Asian Studies (ASIA) majors only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 4842 (3) Global Frontiers in Southeast Asia

Uses the theme of the global frontier to examine and compare three key moments in the modern history of Southeast Asia: the colonial encounter, the rise of the modern territorial state, and the age of contemporary globalization. Examines case studies from earlier eras to analyze emerging global frontiers at the junction of state territoriality and transnational economic expansion.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: GEOG 5842 and GEOG 4842
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences

ASIA 4930 (1-6) Engage Asia: Internship in Asian Studies

Matches students with supervised internships relevant to academic topics in Asian studies. Students work with CAS faculty and internship supervisors, i.e., intern with companies or non-profits doing Asia-related business or project.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
Recommended: Requisite Asian language and culture courses.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Asia Content

ASIA 5400 (3) Open Topics in Asian Studies

Explores special social science topics in Asian Studies, including, but not limited to, social, political, economic, cultural, and international relations topics. Taught by regular or visiting faculty. Topics change each term.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ASIA 4400
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.