Spring 2008 Course Offerings

EAS 250 000  Introduction to East Asian Studies - Cancelled -
Shan TT 2:30-3:45 Limit 2
Same as JPN 375 Limit 16
REALC Room 307

An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to major topics in East Asian Studies as well as relevant methods and approaches. Themes of the course include East Asian history, literature, religion, philosophy, and the arts. The course also emphasizes the development of skills in writing, research, and critical thinking. Assignments draw on a variety of readings as well as audio-visual and digital media. The course will be conducted in a seminar format; a major part of the grade will be based on a substantial final essay. This is a required course for East Asian Studies majors and minors, but is open to students in other disciplines

EAS 375WR Special Topics Course: Confucian Classics
Magone, TT 1:00-2:15
Same as CHN 373SWR Limit 7
Same as ASIA 375SWR Limit 5
Same as REL 374SWR Limit 3

Content: For more than two thousand years, a small set of texts associated with Confucius (551-479 BC) and his disciples formed the core of the Chinese educational curriculum. As a store of knowledge shared by all educated men and women, the Confucian Classics shaped Chinese literati culture from late antiquity to the early 20th century. The goal of this survey course is to illustrate the diversity of the literary and cultural practices that evolved around this unique body of writings. The course is roughly divided into two parts. First, we will attempt to establish a framework for understanding the textual history and changing significance of the Classics throughout Chinese history. Drawing on a broad selection of primary sources (to be read in English translation), we will then examine how the canonized ideas were refracted in literary, philosophical, religious and political discourse. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement and G.E.R. area IV.A (Humanities, textual).

Required Texts: TBA

Particulars: Knowledge of Chinese is NOT required. Grading: class participation, written assignments, exams, paper.

EAS 385R: Special Topics in Chinese Studies: Goa and Globalization 1500-1800
Magone TT 2:30-3:45 Limit 5
Same as CHN 385R Limit 7
Same as HIST 385 Limit 3

Content: Located on the west coast of India, in the region known as the Konkan, Goa became forcefully part of the Portuguese seaborne empire in 1510. Through its strategic position along the maritime routes connecting Lisbon to the African and Asian continents, Goa was in fact the main logistical center of world globalization in its first two hundred years, serving as a relay between Europe and China in the age of colonialism. The main goal of the course is to look at the Portuguese world empire through its most important location in order to sketch out a complex and multi-layered picture of globalization in its beginnings. Topics include the politics of European expansionism, the technology of maritime navigation, the logistics of early modern colonial empires, the silver/silk trade between China and Japan, the China and Japan missions, and Goa's competition with Batavia and Manila.

Required Texts:
J.R. Russell Wood. The Portuguese Empire, 1415-1808: A World on the Move. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1998
Jonathan D. Spence. The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci. New York: Penguin, 1985.

EAS 385 - Special Topics:  Dynamics of Korean Society and Culture
MWF 12:40-1:40 - Limit 10
Same as SOC 389 - Limit 5
REALC 207
Faculty - Hyun-Song Lee

Course Description:

The basic objective of this course is to obtain an in-depth understanding of Korean society and culture. This course will examine political, economic and cultural development of Korea. Both historical and contemporary issues of Korean society and culture will be covered. Particularly, the relationship of traditional and modern society and culture will be highlighted in the course. Specific questions include how modern Korea was transformed from a traditional society, what are the effects of colonial experiences on the current society, how and why the North and the South were divided, how the divisions have been reflected in modern Korea, what brought forth such rapid industrialization, how democratization of politics and society has proceeded, what are the cultural heritage and traits of Korea, what values and religions they hold in the past and in the present, what is the significance of Confucianism, where is the place of women and family.

Throughout this course the aspect of change will be emphasized since it is key to understanding modern Korea. South Korea will be weighted in our discussion more than North Korea. Current issues will be examined from various perspectives based on historical context.


EAS 385 Korean Elementary II
Bae, MW 8:30-9:20 REALC 207
TT 8:30-9:45 REALC 207

EAS 385 Korean Elementary for Heritage Speakers II
Bae, MW 2:00-2:50 REALC 307
TT 2:30-3:45 REALC 207