2013/2014 Fall

HS 005 Asia in the World I  M W 12pm    Jeremy Clarke
Corequisite: HS 007 Discussion Group. This core course surveys the Asian origins of the modern world, from the rise of the Eurasian empire under the Mongols in the thirteenth century to the global colonial context of the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century. We will challenge common geographical (mis)conceptions (e.g., "East" versus "West") in historical narratives/uncover their origins and how they have changed. While emphasizing the global conjunctions in history, this approach highlights Asian experiences of the historical forces that integrated yet also divided the world in changing ways: trade routes, migrations, religions, empires, wars, ideologies, and the constraints of a shared ecological environment.

HS 137 China from Antiquity to the Middle Ages  T Th 1:30pm   Ling Zhang
This course offers a basic understanding of the historical transitions of Chinese society, politics, and culture. Among the topics covered are: the historical discourse of the emergence of early China; archaeological representations of early kingdoms and their path toward the formation of empire; territorial expansion versus the growth of a Chinese identity vis-à-vis non-Chinese ethnic groups; Confucianism as political and ethical philosophy; the Medieval Economic Revolution; and maritime China and its early encounters with the West.

HS 302 From Sun Yat-sen to Shanghai 2010  M W F 9am    Jeremy Clarke
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094. The World's Fair was held in Shanghai in May 2010. Sun Yat-sen was declared the first president of the Republic of China almost one hundred years earlier, thereby ending centuries of dynastic history. In the years since, in addition to great leaps forward and long marches, there have been wars civil and international, revolutions cultural and economic, and an Olympics thrown in as well. This survey course of twentieth-century Chinese history encompasses these tumultuous events as well as aspects of the political system, minorities, environment, human rights, and contemporary culture.

HS 390 China Regionalized: Environment, History & Culture  T Th 10:30am    Ling Zhang
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094. Do Beijing and Shanghai look the same to you? Why do Sichuan (Sze-chuan) people eat spicy food whereas those in the southeast prefer sweet? How different is living in wooden buildings in Jiangnan's watery towns from maintaining the cave dwelling on the semi-arid Loess Plateau? What prompted capitals of Chinese dynasties to move from the northwest to the eastern plains? All these questions speak to our fundamental curiosity: are we talking about a homogeneous China? Obviously not. This course explores the historical formation and transition of environmental, economic, social, and cultural diversities in a highly regionalized China.

PO 469 The Politics of Japan and the Republic of Korea  M W F 10am    Kenji Hayao
This course provides an overview to the politics of contemporary Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). While most of the focus will mostly be on domestic politics, it will include some discussion of their respective foreign policies. The course begins with a brief historical account, and it then proceeds to discussions of culture and society, electoral politics, decision-making structures and processes, and public policy issues.

SL 061 Intermediate Chinese I (Prerequisite: SL 010 Elementary Chinese II or equivalent)
T Th 9am    Staff

SL 063 Intermediate Japanese I (Prerequisite: SL 024 Elementary Japanese II or equivalent)
(01) M W F 3pm; M 4pm / (02) M W F 1pm; F 11am  (01)Naemi Tanaka McPherson/ (02) Ritsuko Sullivan

SL 167 Third-Year Japanese I (Prerequisite: SL 064 Intermediate Japanese II or equivalent)
M W F 2pm    Naemi Tanaka McPherson

SL 245 Advanced Chinese I (Prerequisite: SL 166 or equivalent)  T Th 3-4:15pm    Fang Lu

SL 257 Advanced Japanese I (Prerequisite: SL 168 Third-year Japanese II or equivalent)
M W F 2pm    Jun Ono Cheung

SL 385 Contemporary Chinese Literature  T Th 12-1:15pm    Fang Lu
Prerequisite: SL245 Advanced Chinese I or equivalent. This course introduces students to post 1980s Chinese short stories and essays. Selected readings include works by Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan and other famous writers such as Wang Meng, Wang Zengqi, Tie Ning, Wang Anyi, Yu Hua, Su Tong, Bi Feiyu, etc. Through interpreting and discussing the literary themes and narrative techniques of these works, students will learn how to appreciate their linguistic and literary merit, as well as gain insights into contemporary Chinese society and culture, which have been drastically transformed by modernization, commercialization, and urbanization. Emphasis will be placed on acquisition of advanced reading proficiency in literary texts, vocabulary building, Chinese-English/English- Chinese translation and composition, as well as verbal and writing skills in literary analysis. Taught in Chinese.

TH 161.03 The Religious Quest: Comparative Perspectives I  T Th 1:30-2:45pm    John Makransky
You must take both sections of the Religious Quest I and II (TH 161-162) first Part I, then Part II to receive Core credit. There are no exceptions. Focus on Buddhism and Christianity. The Buddhism aspect will cover early Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.   The Religious Quest explores the individual and communal search for wisdom about human nature, the world, ultimate realities and God, secrets of love and death, enduring values to live by, and paths to spiritual maturity. Although each section is different, likely themes include symbols, myths, doctrines, rituals, holy texts, saints, comparisons and contrasts among traditions, relevance of classical religious traditions to issues in today's world, interreligious dialogue today, and religious diversity in the Boston area. Each section brings the Biblical and Christian tradition into conversation with at least one other religious tradition.

TH 161.12 The Religious Quest: Comparative Perspectives I  M W F 9am    David Mozina
The Religious Quest explores the individual and communal search for wisdom about human nature, the world, ultimate realities and God, secrets of love and death, enduring values to live by, and paths to spiritual maturity. Themes include symbols, myths, doctrines, rituals, holy texts, saints, comparisons and contrasts among traditions, relevance of classical religious traditions to issues in today's world, interreligious dialogue today, and religious diversity in the Boston area. This section brings the Biblical and Christian tradition into conversation with East Asian traditions—Confucian, Buddhist, Daoist, and popular. 

TH 548/PL448 Buddhist Thought & Practice  T 4:30-7pm    John Makransky
A study of early Buddhism, Southeast Asian Buddhism, Zen, and Pure Land traditions of East Asia, with focus on ways that Buddhist philosophy informs and is informed by practices of meditation, mindfulness, investigation of mind, ethical training, and ritual. Students will be instructed in mindfulness exercises (observation of states of mind) to inform our studies, with daily mindfulness practice required. Relevance of Buddhist philosophy today, and in relation to Western philosophy and religion, will be considered throughout. Weekly writing, midterm, final papers.

TH 578 Visions and Visualizations: Daoist Religious Traditions  M W 3pm    David Mozina
Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism) has been imagined in the West as an Eastern philosophy of blithe individuality and environmental consciousness. But what have Daoist thought and practice meant to Chinese practitioners? The answer might surprise. This course will examine major moments of thought and practice from the early, medieval, and modern periods of China’s most successful indigenous religious tradition. Close readings of texts and images will challenge Western assumptions about what this religious tradition has been all about, and by extension, how we imagine the general categories “theology” and “religion.”

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 2013 Spring

HS 305 War and Revolution in Modern East Asia

This course examines East Asia—China, Korea, and Japan—from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, focusing on the revolutions and wars that have ravaged the region throughout this period. We will discuss China’s split into mainland China and Taiwan, how North and South Korea became divided, and why Japan is the only nation to have remained intact, despite having built and then lost an enormous empire, and having undergone the post-war US occupation government. We will also discuss popular uprisings as a category of revolution, the spread of socialism and Communism, and the role that social traumas have played in determining the current political boundaries and ongoing tensions between the nations of East Asia.
Nicole Barnes

HS 336 History of Medicine in China

This course covers fundamental concepts of Chinese medicine from its textual foundations in the Han dynasty (ca. 206 BCE-220 CE) to the present, illustrating the plasticity of China’s medical traditions across the ages. Two-week units cover the philosophical foundations of Chinese medicine; specific medical practices such as acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and herbal remedies; women’s medicine and midwifery; Daoist alchemical and meditation practices; interactions with new medical knowledge from foreign countries; the absorption and adaptation of scientific biomedicine from Japan and the West; and the mid-twentieth-century creation of TCM or “Traditional Chinese Medicine.” The class introduces Chinese medicine as a conglomeration of multiple traditions and bodies of knowledge that have suited distinct purposes throughout the course of Chinese history, and presents China’s medical system as a living component of society, simultaneously responding to and shaping the Chinese people’s needs and desires.

This course will be taught in the style of a graduate seminar. We will meet once a week to discuss a book or book-length reading assignment, and class meetings will include only minimal lecture. This means that all students must complete the weekly reading assignment before each class meeting in order to be able to participate in the discussion.
Nicole Barnes

HS 387 Hero, Criminal or Dreamer? The First Emperor of the Qin

Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
This course explores the life of the First Emperor of China (259-210 BCE), his short reign, his mysterious death, the spectacular afterlife he created for himself, a two-millennia-long imperial tradition he designed for China, and the physical world and thoughts that he lived in and committed to reshape. Using a great variety of materials (literary, archaeological, and multimedia), this course introduces students to the historical complexity of early China and to its most renowned, controversial figure. Who is this man? What historical roles did he play or fail to play?
Ling Zhang

HS 390 China Regionalized: Environment, History & Culture

Prerequisite:Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
Do Beijing and Shanghai look same to you? Why do Sichuan (Sze-chuan) people eat spicy food whereas those in the southeast prefer sweet? How different is living in wooden buildings in Jiangnan's watery towns from maintaining the cave dwelling on the semi-arid Loess Plateau? What prompted capitals of Chinese dynasties to move from the northwest to the eastern plains? All these questions speak to our fundamental curiosity: are we talking about a homogeneous China? Obviously not. This course explores the historical formation and transition of environmental, economic, social, and cultural diversities in a highly regionalized China.
Ling Zhang

PO 414 Politics & Society in Central Asia

The primary focus of this course will be on the creation of new states in Central Asia in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. After surveying the cultural, historical and geographical landscape of the region, the course will analyze in detail the international and domestic factors shaping political, social and economic development in the following nine countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. The Turkic regions of western China (Xinjiang Province) will also receive some attention.
Kathleen Bailey

PO 417 Introduction to Japanese Politics

This course offers an overview of contemporary Japanese politics, designed for students with a general interest in Japan as well as political science concentrators. It begins with a brief historical account, and proceeds to discussions of Japanese culture and society, electoral politics, decision-making structures and processes, and public policy issues in both domestic and foreign affairs.
Kenji Hayao

SL 062 Intermediate Chinese II (co-requisite SL 069 Intermediate Chinese Practicum)

Weekly class meetings include two 75-minute lectures (Tuesdays and Thursdays) focusing on grammatical explanations, three 50-minute sessions of small group practicum (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).
Sing-Chen Lydia Chiang

SL 064-01/02 Intermediate Japanese II (pre-requisite SL 063 Intermediate Japanese I or equivalent)

The second semester of a continuation of course work in spoken and written Japanese with extensive practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Ritsuko Sullivan
Naemi Tanaka McPherson

SL 076  Continuing Korean II (pre-requisite SL 075 Continuing Korean I or equivalent)  

The second semester of a continuation of course work in reading and writing literary Korean, with coextensive conversation practice.
Choong N. Yoon

SL 246 Advanced Chinese II (pre-requisite SL 245 Advanced Chinese I or equivalent)

This course is a continuation of the advanced Chinese I and aims at further developing the students' ability to use Chinese in a more advanced way. The priority of the course is given to in-depth reading of authentic writings in Chinese, with an emphasis on accurate comprehension, expansion of vocabulary for expressing more refined and sophisticated ideas, and development of ability to process sentences with complex structures used
mainly in formal speech and writing. In addition, the course provides an introduction to important aspects of Chinese culture and society.
Fang Lu

SL 258 Advanced Japanese II (pre-requisite SL 257 Advanced Japanese I or equivalent)

Continuing advanced-level work toward a thorough proficiency in all aspects of modern Japanese, with an introduction to important aspects of culture and society.
Jun Ono Cheung

SL 365 Readings in Chinese Literature and Philosophy (pre-requisite SL 062)

This course introduces students to the basic diction and grammar of classical Chinese. Classical Chinese is the Latin of East Asian written traditions, gateway to the cultural and historical legacy of China, and foundation of modern literary Chinese. Basic reading knowledge of classical Chinese is essential to understanding contemporary Chinese news media, scholarly discussions, government documents, college textbooks, contemporary literature, public signs, business reports, and other formal writings and discourses. We will read and translate selected passages from Chinese classics in philosophy, history, and literature. Relevant historical and cultural contexts will also be discussed. Classes will be conducted in both modern Mandarin and English.

The textbook, workbook, and examinations will be in traditional Chinese characters, the acquisition of which is a required component of this course. At first sight, traditional characters may seem very different from simplified characters. However, exposure to traditional characters will help students better understand the structural foundation of simplified characters, thereby accelerating their learning of simplified characters at the advanced level. For those wishing to study modern Japanese, knowledge of traditional Chinese characters will substantially enhance their mastery of kanji.
Sing-Chen Lydia Chiang

SL 366 Business Chinese (pre-requisite SL 245 Advanced Chinese I or equivalent)

This is an advanced Chinese language course designed for students who are interested in employing the language in the Chinese business world, and for students who intend to further improve their language skills in general. Students will acquire pragmatic proficiency in Business Chinese by analyzing several real cases of multinational companies that have successfully operated in China and Chinese domestic companies that have expanded effectively to global markets. Supplemental materials from current newspapers and clips of TV shows relating to the course topics are provided to expand students’ knowledge and keep them abreast with recent highlights in the Chinese business market. Through reading, discussion, presentation, and various exercises on issues such as marketing, branding, mergers and acquisitions, international expansion and product localization, students will acquire an enriched Chinese business vocabulary, conventional phrases and expressions unique to Chinese business settings, and increase their competence in business writing, translation, and communication. In addition, the course introduces important aspects of Chinese culture in economic terms as well as interrelated cross-cultural knowledge and strategies. The goal of the course is to equip students not only linguistically, but also culturally, to function more comfortably and confidently in Chinese business environment.
Fang Lu

TH 162-03/04 The Religious Quest: Christianity and Confucianism

This course builds on the knowledge of Confucianism and Christianity developed in TH161-03/04 to produce a greater understanding of their impact in the world of today.

We will begin by asking two key questions: what does religion do in real life, and how practical is it to study theology? Exploring the politically charged issue of whether religion is a force for good, evil, or both, and examining pragmatic reasons both for and against studying it at all, will set the stage for the rest of the course, in which we examine the actual social and spiritual roles Christianity and Confucianism play in the contemporary global community.

After a brief review of the two traditions and models for dialogue between them, we will survey ways in which each tradition views interaction with the world at large by looking at their understandings of ritual practice. We will then consider their doctrines of human rights in general before moving on to specific questions regarding choice, entitlement, and responsibility.
Katherine Klancer

TH 472/PL 472/TM472 Buddhist Ethics in Theory and Practice

Topics include: mindfulness, faith, insight, meditation and ethical praxis as means of individual awakening in Buddhist practices from Southeast Asia; emptiness, wisdom, compassion, innate buddha nature and bodhisattva action in Mahayana and Vajrayana buddhism; contemporary Buddhist ethical reflection on war and peace, economics, ecology, and justice; socially engaged Buddhism today. Daily mindfulness practice, based on class instruction, is required.
John Makransky

TH 527/TM 544/PL448 Meditation, Interfaith Learning, Social Service

Enters students into a process in which their study of meditation theory, their own contemplative experience, critical reflection on writings of faith-based social activists, and social service mutually inform each other, helping them to freshly appropriate their own spiritualites as bases for service and action.  By engaging contemplative practices from Tibetan Buddhism in forms made accessible to people of other faiths, this course is also an exercise in inter-religious learning and applied comparative theology. Restrictions: Professor’s permission (e-mail professor with reasons why you wish to take this course)
John Makransky

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2012 Fall

EN 246 Introduction to Asian American Literature

• Satisfies cultural diversity core requirement

This course is a broad introduction to Asian American literature, criticism, and culture. This means that we will read at least one book-length work from each of the following ethnic groups: Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese. Together, the readings provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the long sweep of Asians in America struggling to give expression to their experiences. Discussion will often touch on many sensitive topics, so I wish to emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind, being respectful of others' opinions, and keeping up with the reading.
Min Song

HS 137 China from Antiquity to the Middle Ages

• Offered periodically
• Fulfills non-western requirement for history majors

This survey offers a basic understanding of the historical transitions of Chinese society, politics, and culture. Among the topics covered are: the historical discourse of the emergence of early China; archaeological representations of early kingdoms and their path toward the formation of empire; territorial expansion versus the growth of a Chinese identity vis-à-vis non-Chinese ethnic groups; Confucianism as political and ethical philosophy; the Medieval Economic Revolution; and maritime China and its early encounters with the West.
Ling Zhang

PS 354 Culture, Identity, and Asian American Experience

• Satisfies cultural diversity core requirement
• Required for the Asian American Studies concentration

This course explores concepts of the self and ethnic identity as shaped by culture, history, and individual life experience and development. It focuses on the contemporary and historical experience of Asian-Americans and employs psychological, historical, and literary texts. Students are also introduced to current social issues of particular relevance to Asian-American communities.
Ramsay Liem

SL 009 Elementary Chinese I

• Corequisite: SL 015 Elementary Chinese Practicum

An introduction to the fundamentals of modern Chinese (Mandarin) grammar and vocabulary, including exercises in pronunciation and sentence structure and development of basic conversation, reading, and character writing skills. Additional practicum work required. This course continues in the second semester as SL 010.
Fang Lu

SL 023 Elementary Jananese I

An introduction to the study of modern Japanese. The course develops the fundamental skills of reading ability, aural comprehension, and oral and written self-expression. This course continues in the second semester as SL 024.
Ritsuko Sullivan
Jeun Ono Cheung

SL 061 Intermediate Chinese I

• Prerequisite: SL 010 Elementary Chinese II or equivalent
• Corequisite: SL 069 Intermediate Chinese Practicum

Continuation of coursework in spoken and written modern Chinese (Mandarin) with extensive practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as the development of specialized vocabularies and cultural dimensions. This course continues in the second semester as SL 062.
Sing-chen Lydia Chiang

SL 075 Continuing Korean I

• Prerequisite: SL 032 Introduction to Korean II or equivalent
• Offered biennially
• Conducted mostly in Korean

Continuation of course work in reading and writing literary Korean, with coextensive conversation practice. This course continues in second semester as SL 076.
Choong Nam Yoon

SL 167 Third-Year Japanese

• Prerequisite: SL 064 Intermediate Japanese II or equivalent
• Satisfies foreign language proficiency core requirement
• Conducted in Japanese

The development of active skills in modern Japanese to beyond a high-intermediate level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with an emphasis on grammar, phrases, and sentence patterns.
Naemi Tanaka McPherson

SL 245 Advanced Chinese

• Prerequisite: SL 062 Intermediate Chinese II or equivalent
• Satisfies foreign language proficiency core requirement
• Conducted in Chinese

Advanced-level work toward a thorough proficiency in all aspects of modern Mandarin Chinese, with an introduction to important aspects of culture and society.
Fang Lu

SL 257 Advanced Japanese I

• Prerequisite: SL 168 Third-year Japanese II or equivalent
• Satisfies foreign language proficiency core requirement
• Conducted in Japanese

Advanced-level work toward a thorough proficiency in all aspects of modern Japanese, with an introduction to important aspects of culture and society.
Jun Ono Cheung

TH 161 The Religious Quest: Comparative Perspectives I

• Satisfies cultural diversity core requirement
• Satisfies theology core requirement
• Religious Quest courses present Christianity and at least one other world religious tradition.
  
• Students are strongly encouraged to take both semesters of the same Religious Quest class. If circumstances require switching sections, students need permission of the instructor of the spring term course and may be asked to do additional background reading and writing for the religious tradition(s) not covered in their first semester of the course.
• You must take both sections of the Religious Quest I and II (TH 161-162) first Part I, then Part II to receive Core credit. There are no exceptions.

The Religious Quest explores the individual and communal search for wisdom about human nature, the world, ultimate realities and God, secrets of love and death, enduring values to live by, and paths to spiritual maturity. Although each section is different, likely themes include symbols, myths, doctrines, rituals, holy texts, saints, comparisons and contrasts among traditions, relevance of classical religious traditions to issues in today's world, interreligious dialogue today, and religious diversity in the Boston area. Each section brings the Biblical and Christian tradition into conversation with at least one other religious tradition.
Cornille-Hinduism
DeLongBas-Islam
Klancer-Confucianism
Langer-Judaism
McDargh-Buddhism
Sonsino-Judaism

TH 260 Wisdom and Philosophy of the Far East

• Cross-listed with SL 264

This course focuses on the belief systems of East Asia, including Confucianism, Daoism, Shamanism, Shinto, and Mahayana Buddhism. Special attention will be paid to the mutual enrichment of these diverse ideologies and their profound influence on the development of East Asian civilizations. No prerequisite. Taught in English.
Sing-Chen Lydia Chiang