EAS 160A1 – The Worlds of Buddhism

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures

An introduction to Buddhism as both a religion and an array of cultural traditions, with emphasis on its various contributions to the formation of the South, Central, Southeast, and East Asian civilizations.

EAS 160A3 – Chinese Civilization

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures

Introduces you to traditional Chinese civilization for the purposes of this course defined as: "the totality of a culture's perception of itself and the world it occupies and the ways in which that self-perception is expressed in society, politics, religion, philosophy, and the arts." The content of the course is arranged in thematic units, each unit being placed in the context of a specific historical period. We will examine the religious symbolism of ancient Chinese bronze vessels, Chinese theories of nature based on concepts like Yin and Yang, the great medieval religions of Taoism and Buddhism, and other topics. Over the semester you will learn to think more like the Chinese of centuries past to exercise your imagination, and to explore a world that is different from your own.

EAS 160A5 – Languages and Cultures of East Asia

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures

This course will explore the social, historical, and linguistic aspects of the languages and cultures of East Asia and how they have changed over time, drawing from anthropology, linguistics, sociology, and history.

EAS 202 – Symbol, Society, and Social Change--Contemporary East Asia

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Individuals & Societies

Honors Contract

This course introduces students to East Asia in modern and contemporary times -- its recent histories, evolving cultures, languages and literatures, and the changes. China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula have all undergone drastic cultural, political, linguistic, and social changes. There have also been increasing transnational flows among these countries, which further shape these changes. This course engages students in discovering these changes and flows and understanding the social and cultural context in which they take place.

EAS 295 – Topics in East Asian Studies

The exchange of scholarly information and/or secondary research, usually in a small group setting. Instruction often includes lectures by several different persons. Research projects may or may not be required of course registrants. Topics vary according to instructor, but include aspects of the histories, literatures, languages, religions and cultures of East Asia.

EAS 358 – Tibetan Buddhism

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Humanities

Honors Contract

How did Tibetans adapt Buddhism to create a distinctly Tibetan tradition? How did Buddhism come to Tibetan soil, and how did it evolve over time? Sources from the domains of art, ritual, philosophy, and literature, especially biography, will play an important role in our explorations. We will contemplate questions surrounding individual, religious, and cultural identity, and of the role of women. We will conclude by examining further transformations of Tibetan Buddhism in exile and in western settings like Tucson.

EAS 359 – Buddhism and Healing

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Humanities

Honors Contract

Writing Emphasis Course

Is Buddhism a tradition of healing? In what ways has Buddhism been involved in reviving, sustaining, and curing human individuals? This course explores relationships and encounters between Buddhism and the domains of religion, science, and medicine. It considers historical relationships between Buddhism and traditional medicine in Asia as well as contemporary Western discourses involving Buddhism in popular culture, psychology, and spirituality. Finally, it invites a critical approach to the current dialogue between Buddhism and science. In the process, it reveals hidden assumptions behind commodifying `mindfulness' and the quest to document the therapeutic impact of meditation upon health, happiness, and success in the modern age. Students will have the opportunity to apply the ideas they have learned through analysis of relevant initiatives at the U of A such as the Neuropsychology, Emotion, and Meditation [NEM] Lab and the Center for Compassion Studies as well as of broader Tucson community events like the Gem Show.

EAS 391 – Preceptorship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.

EAS 391H – Honors Preceptorship

Honors Course

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.

EAS 466 – Japanese and Chinese Nationalism

Cross Listed

Honors Contract

Though China and Japan share many civilizational traits, they have produced radically different political systems. Using the intellectual prism of "nationalism", this course explores how Japan and China have reacted to the "every people a polity" principle (nationalism).

EAS 484B – History of East Asian Buddhism

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan with emphasis on the relationship between East Asian Buddhist thought and practice and the various historical contexts in which they emerged.

EAS 496C – Special Topics in East Asian Studies

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

EAS 498 – Senior Capstone

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive senior project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Student must be in last semester of Senior year to take the class.

EAS 498H – Honors Thesis

Honors Course

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

EAS 498H – Honors Thesis

Honors Course

Writing Emphasis Course

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

EAS 499 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

EAS 499H – Honors Independent Study

Honors Course

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

EAS 556 – Humanities and the Global Creative Economy

Cross Listed

The course investigates ways in which humanities engage in the global creative economy. It examines key concepts such as creativity, aesthetics, and contemporaneity in humanities, and examines how they become inseparable to the rise of the global creative economy, whether through culture industries, digital media, creative spaces, artistic activisms, or urban development. It focuses on the connections and intersections between aesthetics and art, knowledge and information, and creative economies around the world. Examples of the creative economy include cities from Asia, America, Europe, and Africa. This course is suitable for students who are interested in humanities, global studies, media arts, e-society, visual culture and media studies, urban planning, economics, business, and even those dealing with intellectual property laws. Graduate-level requirements include longer papers, additional readings and research, reading reports, additional meetings with instructor, and significant longer presentations in class.

EAS 566 – Japanese and Chinese Nationalism

Cross Listed

Though China and Japan share many civilizational traits, they have produced radically different political systems. Using the intellectual prism of "nationalism", this course explores how Japan and China have reacted to the "every people a polity" principle (nationalism). Graduate-level requirements include writing longer papers and meeting with the instructor six times for additional instruction. Graduate students may be asked to conduct a lecture.

EAS 584B – History of East Asian Buddhism

Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan with emphasis on the relationship between East Asian Buddhist thought and practice and the various historical contexts in which they emerged. Graduate-level requirements include assigned readings in primary Chinese or Japanese sources and in modern Chinese and/or Japanese secondary sources, together with a research paper based in part on such sources.

EAS 587 – Assessment in Second/Foreign Language Learning

Cross Listed

The primary objective of this course is the development of language teachers' assessment literacy, which includes knowledge of key assessment principles and skill in creating or adopting assessment tools and procedures for the language classroom. Participants in this course will develop their knowledge and skills related to assessing all skill areas in the language classroom, including productive skills (writing, speaking), receptive skills (reading, listening), and assessing grammar and vocabulary. Grading and student evaluation will also be important topics of consideration and exploration in this course. Designed specifically for in-service (and pre-service) language teachers, the course combines theory with practice by covering essential principles of effective classroom assessment and the development of effective assessment tools for classroom use. Participants completing this course will become more assessment literate and better able to evaluate student performance in their classrooms fairly and effectively.

EAS 595A – Graduate Colloquium

The exchange of scholarly information and/or secondary research, usually in a small group setting. Instruction often includes lectures by several different persons. Research projects may or may not be required of course registrants.

EAS 596C – Special Topics in East Asian Studies

he development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

EAS 599 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

EAS 910 – Thesis

Research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing). Maximum total credit permitted varies with the major department.

EAS 920 – Dissertation

Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).

CHN 101 – Elementary Chinese

Introduction to modern spoken and written Chinese (Mandarin) for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 102 – Elementary Chinese

Introduction to modern spoken and written Chinese (Mandarin) for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 199 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

CHN 201 – Intermediate Modern Chinese

Grammar, reading, and conversation in the modern (Mandarin) language for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 202 – Intermediate Modern Chinese

Grammar, reading, and conversation in the modern (Mandarin) language for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 251 – New Chinese Cinema

Cross Listed

Introduces students to contemporary Chinese films and studies the role of cinema as historiography and ethnography.

CHN 302 – Third-Year Chinese II

Advanced conversation, grammar, reading and writing in Modern Chinese for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 345 – Buddhists, Bandits, and Beauties: Masterworks of Chinese Fiction from the 1500s to the Digital Age

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Humanities

Honors Contract

Writing Emphasis Course

For centuries, Chinese people have thrilled to the adventures of characters such as the Monkey King, Lord Guan, and Wu Song the tiger killer. All of these stories are found in classic novels printed in sixteenth century. The exciting plots and plain-speech storyteller style of these novels have made them accessible in the original to readers even today. Increasingly, however, such stories have found fame throughout Asia and the world through popular culture and new media adaptations. In this course, we will examine both the originals (in translation) and the modern adaptations. We will explore the historical setting of the sixteenth- century Ming dynasty in which the novels were first created, as well as recent films and other cultural creations based on them. The aim will be to uncover the cultural dynamics that allow for such creativity and fluidity. Topics may include Chinese religions, print and popular culture, literary and cross-cultural adaptation, film, graphic novels/manga, video games, and taboos against sex and violence. Readings will be primarily in English; supplementary/alternative readings, including portions of the original texts as well as secondary scholarship, will be made available for readers of Asian languages upon request.

CHN 399 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

CHN 417 – Advanced Modern Chinese

Study of advanced modern (Mandarin) Chinese through readings in modern literature. for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course.

CHN 460 – US and China Relations in the Modern World

Cross Listed

Survey of the developments and trends in Chinese foreign relations in the modern period, focusing mainly on the relationship between the theoretical and actual objectives of China's foreign policies from 1949 to the present.

CHN 465 – Chinese/English Translation: Theory and Practice

Introduction to the theory and practice of English-to-Chinese and Chinese-to-English translations including study of the role of translation in China-West encounters and learning the craft of translation.

CHN 483 – Confucianism: The Classical Period

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Writing Emphasis Course

CHN 485 – Chinese Sociolinguistics

The overarching goals of this course are two-fold. First, it aims to introduce students to the continuity as well as heterogeneity of the Chinese language(s) in the Sinophone world, including not only Mainland China but Taiwan and Hong Kong as well. Through highlighting issues related to language variation and change, and their relationship to social identity, the course is intended to guide students to understand the complex interaction between linguistic practices and social stratification as well as cultural changes. It focuses on sociolinguistic aspects that are particularly salient to Chinese, such as language and dialect, place, gender, pragmatics, cross-cultural communication, as well as language policy and planning. Secondly, this course strives to provide students with a comparative approach by incorporating studies on Chinese sociolinguistic and those based on other languages such as English. In so doing, it hopes to encourage the students to reflect upon their everyday linguistic experience here in Tucson and compare that with what is happening in the Sinophone world.

CHN 517 – Advanced Modern Chinese

Study of advanced modern (Mandarin) Chinese through readings in modern literature. for non-native speakers. Native speakers may not take this course. Graduate-level requirements include more translations and additional reading.

CHN 519 – Linguistic Structure of Modern Chinese

Cross Listed

Linguistic study of the phonological, morphological, and syntactic systems of modern Chinese, with particular attention to linguistic analysis. Graduate-level requirements include two presentations and one term paper.

CHN 547 – Readings in Classical Chinese Prose

Readings in selected texts from literary, philosophical, and historical traditions; includes selections from the Five Classics and the great prose masters of the Han-Qing. Variable content.

CHN 565 – Chinese/English Translation: Theory and Practice

Introduction to the theory and practice of English-to-Chinese and Chinese-to-English translations including study of the role of translation in China-West encounters and learning the craft of translation. Graduate-level requirements include much longer and more difficult assignments.

CHN 583 – Confucianism: The Classical Period

Cross Listed

CHN 585 – Chinese Sociolinguistics

The overarching goals of this course are two-fold. First, it aims to introduce students to the continuity as well as heterogeneity of the Chinese language(s) in the Sinophone world, including not only Mainland China but Taiwan and Hong Kong as well. Through highlighting issues related to language variation and change, and their relationship to social identity, the course is intended to guide students to understand the complex interaction between linguistic practices and social stratification as well as cultural changes. It focuses on sociolinguistic aspects that are particularly salient to Chinese, such as language and dialect, place, gender, pragmatics, cross-cultural communication, as well as language policy and planning. Secondly, this course strives to provide students with a comparative approach by incorporating studies on Chinese sociolinguistic and those based on other languages such as English. In so doing, it hopes to encourage the students to reflect upon their everyday linguistic experience here in Tucson and compare that with what is happening in the Sinophone world. Graduate-level requirements include reviewing a book and presenting it to the class as well as extra reading in Chinese.

CHN 599 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

CHN 900 – Research

Individual research, not related to thesis or dissertation preparation, by graduate students.

CHN 910 – Thesis

Research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing). Maximum total credit permitted varies with the major department.

CHN 920 – Dissertation

Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).

JPN 101 – Elementary Japanese

Beginning conversation, grammar, reading and writing in modern Japanese.

JPN 102 – Elementary Japanese

Beginning conversation, grammar, reading and writing in modern Japanese. Students not in a University of Arizona Japanese class the previous semester must take a placement test.

JPN 201 – Intermediate Japanese

Intermediate conversation, grammar, reading and writing in modern Japanese. Students not in a University of Arizona Japanese class the previous semester must take a placement exam.

JPN 202 – Intermediate Japanese

Intermediate conversation, grammar, reading and writing in modern Japanese. Students not in a University of Arizona Japanese class the previous semester must take a placement exam.

JPN 220 – Religion in Japanese Society

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Humanities

Introduction to texts, images and activities, both historical and contemporary, that comprise Japanese religion.

JPN 245 – Japanese Anime and Visual Culture

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Arts

This course will explore contemporary Japanese society by investigating its colorful, dynamic, and rich output of visual culture. More specifically, we will look at manga, cinematic anime, and items of material culture, illustrating how these examples of popular art teach us about the various aspects of life in Japan.

JPN 245 – Japanese Anime and Visual Culture

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 2 Arts

Honors Contract

This course will explore contemporary Japanese society by investigating its colorful, dynamic, and rich output of visual culture. More specifically, we will look at manga, cinematic anime, and items of material culture, illustrating how these examples of popular art teach us about the various aspects of life in Japan.

JPN 302 – Advanced Japanese

Advanced conversation, grammar, reading and writing in modern Japanese.

JPN 304 – Introduction to Japanese Language and Linguistics

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Sounds, words, grammar, change, writing, variation, and use of the Japanese language; provides basis for further study in the field.

JPN 310 – Japanese Literature and War

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Writing Emphasis Course

Experiences of Japanese men and women in the second world war as portrayed in short stories, novels, and poetry written in Japan since the end of the war. All readings done in English translation.

JPN 399 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

JPN 412 – Advanced Japanese Linguistics

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Advanced readings in Japanese and English on specific topics in Japanese linguistics.

JPN 422 – Advanced Practice in Japanese

Reading and discussion in Japanese of a variety of advanced-level materials, including newspaper articles, short stories, and poetry.

JPN 489 – History of Japanese Religions: Modern

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

A selective survey of the history of Japanese religion from the 16th century through the present. Topics may include Shinto and Buddhism; Christianity and its suppression; Edo-period official and popular religion; State Shinto; and Japan's "new religions" and "new new religions."

JPN 496A – Japanese Literature

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

This seminar explores topics related to pre-modern and modern Japanese literature. Topics vary by year and participants conduct in-depth discussion, reading and research related to the topic.

JPN 512 – Advanced Japanese Linguistics

Cross Listed

Advanced readings in Japanese and English on specific topics in Japanese linguistics. Graduate-level requirements include a substantial term paper and a class presentation based on that paper.

JPN 522 – Advanced Practice in Japanese

Reading and discussion in Japanese of a variety of advanced-level materials, including newspaper articles, short stories, and poetry. Graduate-level requirements include extra readings and extra translation project.

JPN 589 – History of Japanese Religions: Modern

Cross Listed

A selective survey of the history of Japanese religion from the 16th century through the present. Topics may include Shinto and Buddhism; Christianity and its suppression; Edo-period official and popular religion; State Shinto; and Japan's "new religions" and "new new religions." Graduate-level requirements include oral presentations and longer, more in-depth papers.

JPN 596A – Japanese Literature

This seminar explores topics related to pre-modern and modern Japanese literature. Topics vary by year and participants conduct in-depth discussion, reading and research related to the topic.

JPN 599 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

JPN 699 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

JPN 910 – Thesis

Research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing). Maximum total credit permitted varies with the major department.

JPN 920 – Dissertation

Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).

KOR 101 – Elementary Korean I

This is the first of two half courses making up a full-year elementary level Korean course that is designed for learners of Korean with no previous (or very limited) knowledge of the language. The objective of the course is to help students to be active Korean language users who are linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully in the 21st century. In order to do so, this course is designed around the five Cs: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. The course will be conducted using a communicative language teaching approach integrating all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - and the five Cs by utilizing the required textbook, workbook, and authentic materials. This course will first introduce the Korean Alphabet Hangul as well as the sound system of standard Korean. It will focus on writing the Korean alphabet and reading basic words, phrases, and sentences correctly. The latter part of this course will focus on grammatical patterns such as basic sentence structures and word order, assuming that students have no previous (or very limited) knowledge of Korean. In addition, students will be exposed to everyday life situations likely to be encountered in contemporary Korean society.

KOR 102 – Elementary Korean II

This is the second of two half courses making up a full-year elementary level Korean course is designed for learners of Korean with a very limited knowledge of the language. The course will be delivered using a communicative language approach to teaching all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, the five Cs (Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) will be used to facilitate learning. By combining the contents of the textbooks and workbooks with carefully chosen authentic learning materials, this course will strive to assist students to be proactive in their learning of the Korean language. This course will encompass six of the most common contexts that learners of Korean will encounter in daily life: The Weekend, In Seoul, Birthdays, At a Professor's Office, Living in a Dormitory, and Family. By exploring given dialogues along with related vocabulary and grammatical points, students will learn how they can interact with Korean speakers in each setting. Students will also be introduced to various cultural aspects such as National Holidays in Korea, How to Get Around in a Korean City, Age and Birthdays, Korean Music, Traditional Attire, and How to Address others in the Korean Hierarchical System. In addition, this course will provide students with an opportunity to practice different ways to conjugate verbs as well as to utilize casual connectives.

KOR 202 – Intermediate Korean II

This course is the second part of the intermediate level Korean, and is designed for learners of Korean who have taken KOR 201, first part of Intermediate Korean or had basic knowledge in Korean. The objective of the course is to help students to be active Korean language users who are linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully in the 21st century. In order to do so, this course is designed around the five Cs, communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. The course will be conducted using a communicative language teaching approach integrating all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - and the five Cs by utilizing the required textbook, workbook, and authentic materials. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will be exposed to everyday life contexts (e.g., language use, culture, etc.) likely to be encountered in contemporary Korean society.

KOR 245 – K-pop, Webtoons, Ethnic Food, and More: Understanding Korean Popular Culture

Tier 2 Individuals & Societies

This course provides an introduction to the popular culture of South Korea (and a bit of North Korea) in the contemporary era, with an emphasis on the global phenomenon called Hallyu (Korean Wave). Some of the major themes throughout the course will be: (a) the definition of a "popular" "culture"; (b) the globalization of culture; (c) the transition from a classical to popular culture in Korea; (d) the construction of Hallyu in the modem era; and (e) the co-existence of local and global Korean pop culture inside and outside of Korea.

KOR 496K – Special Topics in Korean Studies

Honors Contract

Writing Emphasis Course

This course is designed to examine different topics in Korean studies, including the politics of modern Korea, late capitalism and social changes, new media and society, inter-Asia cultural flows and cosmopolitanism, youth culture, gender and sexuality, and beyond. Under this same course title, each year will focus on one of the listed topics. Students will be able to explore a variety of significant issues in Korean studies in relation to their own research agenda through this course.

KOR 596K – Special Topics in Korean

This course is designed to examine different topics in Korean studies, including the politics of modern Korea, late capitalism and social changes, new media and society, inter-Asia cultural flows and cosmopolitanism, youth culture, gender and sexuality, and beyond. Under this same course title, each year will focus on one of the listed topics. Students will be able to explore a variety of significant issues in Korean studies in relation to their own research agenda through this course. Graduate-level requirements necessitate more in-depth reading, thinking, and writing than an undergraduate level course.

EAS 130 – Asian Religions

Cross Listed

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

The course surveys six religious traditions founded and developed in Asian including two from India: Hinduism and Buddhism, two from China: Confucianism and Taoism, and two from Japan: Shinto and Japanese New Religions. The survey of each religion includes: 1. a primary or sacred text, 2. contemporary practices in Asia, 3. contemporary practices in America, and 4. depictions in modern media. The course studies how the central tenets and teachings of Asian religions create the cultural roots of contemporary Asian cultures and how these teachings have influenced America's religious diversity.

EAS 160A1 – The Worlds of Buddhism

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures

An introduction to Buddhism as both a religion and an array of cultural traditions, with emphasis on its various contributions to the formation of the South, Central, Southeast, and East Asian civilizations.

EAS 160A3 – Chinese Civilization

Gen Ed Diversity Emphasis

Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures

Introduces you to traditional Chinese civilization for the purposes of this course defined as: "the totality of a culture's perception of itself and the world it occupies and the ways in which that self-perception is expressed in society, politics, religion, philosophy, and the arts." The content of the course is arranged in thematic units, each unit being placed in the context of a specific historical period. We will examine the religious symbolism of ancient Chinese bronze vessels, Chinese theories of nature based on concepts like Yin and Yang, the great medieval religions of Taoism and Buddhism, and other topics. Over the semester you will learn to think more like the Chinese of centuries past to exercise your imagination, and to explore a world that is different from your own.