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East Asian Studies Course Offerings

111. East Asian Civilization (I; 3, 1)

The development of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese civilizations highlighting their political, cultural, philosophical, and religious aspects from earliest times to the present.

211. Premodern Japanese Literature in Translation (AI or AII; 3, 0)

The beginnings of Japanese literary traditions: works written before the close of the 19th century – before Western influence is seen. Taught in English.

212. Modern Japanese Literature in Translation (I; 3, 0)

Literary trends in 20th-century Japan with emphasis on the development of the modern novel and short story. Works by Soseki, Tanizaki, Kawabata, Mishima, Abe, Enchi, Murakami, and others. Taught in English.

213. Traditional Chinese Literature in Translation (I or II; 3, 0)

Great works of Chinese prose and poetry from The Book of Odes to The Dream of the Red Chamber.

214. Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (I; 3, 0)

Twentieth-century novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays of veiled and unveiled criticism. New literature from a century of challenge, excitement, and great suffering.

219. Meiji Lit.: The Prose of Modernity (II; 3, 0)

An examination of late 19th and early 20th century Japanese literature in its role as exemplar of the modern. Works by Futabatei, Ogai, Soseki, Higuchi, and others. Taught in English.

220. Japanese Warrior in Literature (I; 3, 0)

Traces the literary (re)construction of the ‘warrior’ in Japanese literature, from the samurai of the 12th century to the Imperial soldier of the mid-20th century. Taught in English.

224. Asian Art (I or II; 3, 0)

China and Japan – highlighting issues of the artist, political and cultural identities, tradition/change- explored through diverse resources (Bucknell’s Samek Gallery included) and methodologies. Crosslisted as ART 224.

233. China from Ancient Times to the 18th Century (I; 3, 0)

Chinese history and culture from their beginnings to the middle of the Qing Dynasty, before that dynasty and China were challenged by the West. Crosslisted as HIST 293.

234. China Since 1800 (II; 3, 0)

China from the eve of its modern confrontation with the West to the present through years of traumatic challenge and change. Crosslisted as HIST 294.

240. Nation, Ethnicity and Culture in Modern East Asia (II; 3, 0)

Comparison of the ways in which culture has been/is mobilized to construct ethnic and national identities in modern China, Korea, and Japan. Crosslisted as HIST 259.

245. Consumption and Material Culture (I; 3, 0)

Anthropological studies of consumption of material goods in their cultural contexts, American and Japanese studies from fast food to shopping habits. Crosslisted as ANTH 245.

246. Japanese Culture and Society (I; 3, 0)

Anthropological perspectives and contemporary Japan; cultural origins, variations within Japanese culture; aspects of social organization, culture, and personality. Crosslisted as ANTH 246.

247. Japanese Film as Anthropology (I; 3, 0)

The use of Japanese film as a key to understanding both the intricacies of Japanese culture and society, and the perspective of anthropology. Crosslisted as ANTH 247.

248. International Relations in East Asia (II; 3, 0)

International relations in East Asia from the treaty-port system to the post-Cold War order, with emphasis on post-WWII and contemporary developments.

249. Inside the Japanese Corporation (I or II; 3, 0)

Ethnographic approaches to the study of the Japanese corporation. A critical examination of industrial familialism, the lifetime employment system, and the work ethic. Crosslisted as ANTH 249.

250. Confucianism (I; 3, 0)

An exploration of the development of Confucianism in China and Japan with particular emphasis on its role in the family, in social relations, in theories of education, and in political thought. The impact of Confucianism on the modernization process in China and Japan in the last hundred years also will be examined. Crosslisted as RELI 248.

251. Buddhism (II; 3, 1)

An examination of the rise of Buddhism in India and its spread to China, Japan, and the West. The teachings of the Buddha, views of meditation, morality, and the art and rituals of Buddhism will be studied; the interaction of Buddhism and ecology will be explored, as well as the role of key contemporary leaders such as Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hahn. Crosslisted as RELI 200.

252. Religions of China (I; 3, 0)

An exploration of the three traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism and their interaction in Chinese history, society, and culture. Views of human nature, political participation, education, self-cultivation, and meditation will be discussed. Crosslisted as RELI 245.

253. Religions of Japan (II; 3, 0)

An overview of native and imported religious influences in the unfolding of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism in Japan. The historical development of Japanese religions will be considered as it influenced art, politics, and culture. Crosslisted as RELI 246.

254. From Shinto to Shogun: Pre-modern Japan (I or II; 3, 0)

The course will examine the cultural and institutional developments which constitute the Japanese heritage, with emphasis on classical Heian and early medieval court culture and late medieval samurai society. Crosslisted as HIST 295.

255. Modern Japanese History (I or II; 3, 0)

Japanese economy, society, politics, war, and diplomacy from 1868 to the present; successes, crises, and conflicts in building a modern nation-state. Crosslisted as HIST 296.

256. Japanese History Through Sight and Sound (II; 3, 1)

Cultural history of 20th-century Japan through film, anime, art, manga, political cartoon, popular song, and lyric: flappers, soldiers, peaceniks, salarymen, housewives, politicians, "gangsters." Crosslisted as HIST 299.

261. Music of Asia (AII; 3, 0)

A multicultural approach to the diversity of folk and art music across the largest continent. Music of China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, and Japan. Crosslisted as MUSC 261.

262. Sources of Asian Tradition (II; 3, 0)

An introduction to selected texts illustrative of the cultural and literary traditions of India, China, Korea, and Japan. Open to students in the Humanistic Scholars Program only.

266. Chinese Philosophy (I; 3, 0)

Major philosophical schools of the classical age, Buddhist philosophy, Neo-Confucianism. Crosslisted as PHIL 266.

267. The People’s Republic of China (II; 3, 0)

A historical look at life in China under the rule of the Communist Party. Unprecedented triumphs and tribulations. Crosslisted as HIST 297.

268. Intellectual Conflict in Modern China (II; 3, 0)

China’s traumatic intellectual confrontation with the West. Scorn, fear, wonder, excitement, and terrible dissension. From the first 19th-century challenges to the rejection of the Thought of Mao Zedong. Crosslisted as HIST 298.

274. The Greater Chinese Economy (I; 3, 0)

Coverage of topics essential to understanding the ongoing process of economic transition in China, while emphasizing China’s role in the Asian and world economies. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as ECON 274.

277. Social Darwinism East and West (AII; 3, 0)

Darwin’s evolution revolution on the rampage, in the religious, philosophical, social, and political thought of England, the United States, and China. Crosslisted as HIST 269.

278. Asian Economic Development (I; 3, 0)

Analysis of contemporary economic development in Asia, focusing on the role of public policy, international trade and investment, and on prospects for future growth. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as ECON 278.

Seminars and Independent Study

321 and 322. Independent Study (I or II; R; 3, 0)

Open to East Asian studies majors who wish to pursue individual programs of reading, research, or writing. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

339. China and the World Economy (I; 3, 0)

An analysis of economic transition and development in China, with emphasis on its role in the Asian-Pacific and world economies. Prerequisites: ECON 256 and ECON 257, or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ECON 339.

340. Comparative Pacific Basin Economics (II; 3, 0)

Contemporary developmental issues facing selected Pacific Basin economies, emphasizing international trade, foreign investment, and public policies. Prerequisite: ECON 256, ECON 257, or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ECON 340.

369 and 370. Seminar in East Asian History and Culture (I and II; R; 3, 0)

A multidisciplinary Capstone Seminar for Japanese and East Asian studies majors: I. bibliography, sources, and disciplinary approaches to East Asia; II. individual and group studies of selected topics.

Chinese Language (CHIN)

101 and 102. Chinese I (I and II; 5, 0)

Intensive introduction to spoken and written "Mandarin" Chinese, the puutonghuah (common language) of modern China. CHIN 101 is a prerequisite for CHIN 102.

103 and 104. Chinese II (I and II; 5, 0)

Continued rigorous study of spoken and written "Mandarin" Chinese now called puutonghuah (the common language). Prerequisite: CHIN 102 or equivalent for CHIN 103. CHIN 103 or equivalent for CHIN 104.

201 and 202. Chinese III (I and II; 3, 0)

Continued study of modern "Mandarin." Contemporary essays, movie scripts, short stories, and newspaper articles. Equal emphasis on reading and speaking. Conducted in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 104 or equivalent for CHIN 201. CHIN 201 or equivalent for CHIN 202.

203 and 204. Chinese IV (I and II; 3, 0)

Reading and discussion of selected modern Chinese texts: newspaper and magazine articles, essays, short stories, and film scripts. Conducted in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 202 or equivalent for CHIN 203. CHIN 203 or equivalent for CHIN 204.

301 and 302. Chinese V (I and II; 4, 0)

Study of Chinese films and film scripts and an introduction to Classical Chinese. Besides reading and speaking, interpreting and writing essays are emphasized. Prerequisite: CHIN 204 or equivalent for CHIN 301. CHIN 301 or equivalent for CHIN 302.

319 and 320. Independent Studies in Chinese (I and II; 3, 0)

Independent projects conducted in Chinese in the student’s area of special interest. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

Japanese Language (JAPN)

101 and 102. Japanese I (I and II; 5, 2)

Beginning language skills. Training in speaking and comprehending the basic sentence patterns of modern Japanese. Introduction to reading and writing. Prerequisite: JAPN 101 is prerequisite for JAPN 102.

103 and 104. Japanese II (I and II; 5, 2)

Continued training in the four language skills. Review of basic and introduction to complex sentence patterns. Reading of texts in basic Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPN 102 or the equivalent for 103. JAPN 103 is prerequisite for JAPN 104.

201 and 202. Japanese III (I and II; 5, 1)

Application of the four language skills. Reading of texts written in standard Japanese and exercises in content-controlled conversation. Prerequisite: JAPN 104 or equivalent for JAPN 201. JAPN 201 is prerequisite for JAPN 202.

203 and 204. Japanese IV (I and II; 4, 0)

Continued application of the four language skills. Reading and guided discussion of texts related to a variety of topics. Prerequisite: JAPN 202 or the equivalent for JAPN 203. JAPN 203 is prerequisite for JAPN 204.

301 and 302. Japanese V (I and II; R; 4, 0)

Reading and discussion of selected materials. Exercises in the research skills of writing and presenting reports in Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPN 204 or the equivalent for JAPN 301. JAPN 301 is prerequisite for JAPN 302.

319 and 320. Independent Studies in Japanese (I and II; R; 3, 0)

Independent projects conducted in Japanese in the student’s area of special interest. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.