Undergraduate Courses:
2016 Spring
Asian Studies Program
American University Courses:
ARTH-225 FA1 Buddhist Arts of Asia
MTH 4:00PM-5:15PM 03.00
Morita,M
An introductory survey of Asian art that emphasizes Buddhist painting, architecture,
calligraphy, and sculpture of India, China, Korea, and Japan from ancient to
contemporary. Explores religious meaning, spiritual aesthetics, and the reinvention of
religious tradition. Usually offered every fall.
ARTH-396 Select Topics: Non-Recurring
001 Arts/Material of China
TF 1:10PM-2:25PM 03.00
Peng,Y
Arts and Material Culture of China This course surveys arts and material culture of China
from the Neolithic period to the contemporary era. Covering multiple media such as
painting, calligraphy, decorative arts as well as archaeological objects, this course seeks
to historicize the construction of "Chineseness" and to enhance students' understanding of
Chinese art from a global perspective.
ASIA-100 Introduction to Asia
001 MTH 1:10PM-2:25PM 03.00
Mansingh, S
The course offers a broad spectrum on Asia through examinations of the major
philosophical, religious, and cultural characteristics of different regions, with each
example set in an appropriate historic context. Social, political, and economic
characteristics of Asia are also examined in this context. Usually offered every fall.
ASIA-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring
001 Women in East Asia: Modern Transformations
W 2:35-5:15PM
03.00
Park,S
Women in East Asia: Modern Transformation The course examines continuities and
changes in social and family structures and gender roles in modern China, Japan, and
Korea. With a focus on women's places in the family and in society and the evolution of
ideas of gender and sexuality in East Asia, the course examines social, political and
ideological transformation of gender roles in East Asian societies and their relations to
social changes. By doing so, the course also explores the history of East Asian women in
comparison with that in the West and reconsiders the idea of "patriarchy" in the East
Asian context.
GNED-230 FA3 General Education Area 3 Topic
001 Stories of South Asia
Pathak, S
TF 2:35PM-3:50PM
Stories of South Asia: Sovereignty, Strategy, and Satire This course focuses on ancient
and medieval portrayals of Indian politics in classical epics and story collections and
considers their relevance to modern South Asia.
HIST-447 Asian Studies
001 Japan: A Survery Jacobs, J
MTH 2:35PM-3:50PM
Japan: A Survey This course focuses chiefly on the fifty years of the Japanese Empire,
from the incorporation of Taiwan in 1895 to Japan's defeat and imperial dissolution in
1945. Some attention is accorded to earlier expansions of the Japanese state into
Hokkaido and Okinawa, as well as the legacy of the Japanese Empire after 1945. Meets
with HIST-647 001.
(Meets with HIST 647 001)
LIT-240 FA2 Asian American Literature
001 Wong, L
TF 10:20PM-11:35PM
The recent explosion of Asian-American literature--defined as literature by writers of
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino descent living in North
America--warrants close and historically-informed analysis. This course considers works
by Asian-American writers in light of orientalism, issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and
identity, and historical pressures such as immigration policies and independence
movements. Usually offered alternate springs.
PHIL-485 Selected Topics in Philosophy
001 Derrida and Buddhism
Park, J
TH 5:30PM-8:00PM
Derrida and Buddhism Derridean deconstruction is arguably one of the most influential
continental philosophies of the late 20th century. The class examines major works by
Jacques Derrida, compares Derridean deconstruction with Buddhist philosophy, and
considers the influence of the deconstructive mode of thinking in our understanding of
identity, ethics and politics. Meets with PHIL-685 001.
(Meets with PHIL 685 001)
RELG-185 FA3 The Religious Heritage of Asia
001 Greenberg, G
MTH 4:00PM-5:15PM
Introduces methods of studying religion and places religious traditions in comparative
relief. Surveys the basic features of the major religions of Asia, including Hinduism,
Taoism, and Confucianism, and explains how these traditions shape Asian cultures and
societies. Usually offered every term.
RELG-473 Hinduism
001 Pathak, S
TF 10:20PM-2:25PM
This course focuses on four phases in the development of Hinduism. Central to the study
of each phase are close readings of selections from its main mythological and
philosophical texts, which are considered in light of lived religious practices. Meets with
RELG-673. Usually offered alternate springs (even years).
SIS-022OL Regional Orgs: Security and Govt
TBA Acharya, A
Course taught entirely online. Regional Organizations: Security and Government This
course compares major regional organizations in the world as well as examines how
organizations promote regional cooperation in security and governance and a collective
identity through a more detailed study of regionalism in Southeast Asia.
SIS-676 Select Topics in Cross-National Study
002 SE Asia, US and Regional Powers
Heng-Blackburn, P
T 5:30PM-8:00PM
Southeast Asia, United States, and Regional Powers This course examines the roles and
impact of the United States, Japan and China, and other regional powers on the
transformation of security and economic frameworks in East and Southeast Asia from the
end of the Second World War to the present. The security analysis treats developments
during the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and issues in the post-Cold War era, particularly
those pertaining to militant Islamic movements and non-traditional/human security
challenges such as transnational labor flows, trafficking in persons, environmental
degradation and natural disasters. The economic dimension highlights the impact of
globalization on the region, and the emergence and evolution of regional economic
cooperation. A major theme is the manner in which growing Chinese political influence
and trade initiatives in recent years have impacted on long-standing American security
and commercial interests, as well as on Japanese economic interests in the region.
SIS-676 Select Topics in Cross-National Study
005 U.S.-China Relations
Zhao, Q
T 2:35PM-5:15PM
U.S.-China Relations This course begins with an overview of U.S.-China relations from
historical and theoretical perspectives, providing the background necessary to
comprehend the domestic foundations of foreign policy. It then examines politics and
foreign policies of China and the United States, and interactions between the two powers.
Includes security, economic, and diplomatic relations as well as their impact on
international relations in Asia-Pacific including Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
The course also introduces a variety of perspectives as analytical tools for research, and
analyzes significant controversies as a way of participating in the field's theoretical and
policy debates.
SISU-106 First Year Seminar
007 China From the Inside
Shapiro, J
T 8:55AM-11:35AM
China From the Inside This course draws on memoirs, documentaries, guest speakers,
and student interviews to provide a worm's-eye view of China from 1911 to today. The
course provides students with an understanding of the complex challenges of Chinese
identity today, as ordinary people try to satisfy their pent-up aspirations and deal with
entrenched problems of environmental degradation and political repression.
SIS-212 FA3 China, Japan & the U.S.
001 MTH 11:45AM-1:00PM 03.00
Lee,J
002 TF 11:45AM-1:00PM 03.00
Heng-Blackburn,P
A multidisciplinary introduction to China and Japan that explores the history, culture,
social structure, literature, art, politics, economics, and foreign relations of these
important countries. Particular attention is paid to the context of East Asian international
relations. Usually offered every term. May be taken A-F only.
SISU-352 Environmental Politics of Asia
001 Shapiro, J
W 2:35PM-5:15Pm
This seminar focuses on the environmental politics of Asia. It covers global, regional, and
local environmental challenges. The class considers the transboundary impact of Asia's
environmental problems, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, climate
change, and ozone depletion through the theoretical lenses of international relations
theory, environmental security, human security, and anthropology. May be taken A-F
only. Prerequisite: SISU-206 and SISU-250.
Language Courses at American University:
CHIN-113 Chinese, Elementary II
Prerequisite: CHIN-106 or CHIN-112 or equivalent.
001HB MTH 08:55AM 10:10AM TBA TBA 05.00
002HB TF 08:55AM 10:10AM TBA TBA 05.00
003HB TF 02:35PM 03:50PM TBA TBA 05.00
004HB MTH 04:00PM 05:15PM TBA TBA 05.00
Cai,J
Xu,S
Xu,S
Cai,J
Additional Class Fee: $40.00. The course is offered in hybrid format including face to
face meeting and online work.
CHIN-213
Chinese, Intermediate II
Prerequisite: CHIN-206 or CHIN-212 or equivalent.
001
MTH 08:55AM 10:10AM TBA TBA 05.00 Zhang,X
W
08:30AM 10:10AM TBA TBA
002
MTH 02:35PM 03:50PM TBA TBA 05.00
Zhang,X
W
02:35PM 04:15PM TBA TBA
003
TF
W
004
TF
W
11:45AM 01:00PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
11:20AM 01:00PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
02:35PM 03:50PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
02:35PM 04:15PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
CHIN-313
Advanced Chinese II
Prerequisite: CHIN-207 or CHIN-312 or equivalent. 3 Credits
001 MTH 01:10PM 02:25PM TBA TBA 03.00 Zhang,X
002 TF 01:10PM 02:25PM TBA TBA
Additional Class Fee: $40.00
CHIN-396
Selected Topics: Non-Recurring
001 Newspaper Chinese 03.00
MTH 02:35PM 03:50PM TBA TBA
Zhang,X
01/11/16 05/03/16
Prerequisite: CHIN-313 or permission of instructor. Newspaper Chinese This course
introduces the styles and conventions of Chinese newspaper language. Focus is on
vocabulary expansion, forms and structures of formal Chinese writing that differ from
spoken Chinese, and tactics and skills for fast reading. Through reading of and discussion
on Chinese newspapers of different types and from different Chinese-speaking regions,
the class also examines newspapers as sites of contending ideologies and values.
Prerequisite: CHIN-313 or permission of instructor.
JAPN-115
Japanese, Elementary II
Prerequisite: JAPN-114 or equivalent.
001HB 05.00 MTH 10:20AM 11:35AM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
002HB 05.00 TF 01:10PM 02:25PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
Additional Class Fee: $40.00. The course is offered in hybrid format including face to
face meeting and online work.
JAPN-215
Japanese, Intermediate II
Prerequisite: JAPN-214 or equivalent.
001 05.00
TF 02:35PM 03:50PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
W
02:35PM 04:15PM TBA TBA 01/11/16 05/03/16
Additional Class Fee: $40.00
JAPN-315
Advanced Japanese II
Prerequisite: JAPN-314 or equivalent.
001 03.00 TF 01:10PM 02:25PM TBA TBA
01/11/16 05/03/16
Additional Class Fee: $40.00
KOR-103
Korean Elementary II
Prerequisite: KOR-102.
001 05.00 TTH 08:10PM 10:15PM TBA TBA
01/11/16 05/03/16
Additional Class Fee: $40.00
KOR-203
Korean Intermediate II
Prerequisite: KOR-202 or equivalent.
001 05.00 TTH 05:45PM 07:55PM TBA TBA
Additional Class Fee: $40.00
01/11/16 05/03/16