Approved by Faculty Senate October 20, 2003
University Studies Course Approval
Department or Program: Global Studies
Course Number: 250
Semester Hours: 3
Frequency of Offering:
Course Title: Introduction to Asia
Catalog Description (Proposed): This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of
the areas that make up the Global Studies Asian Regional Perspective: East, Southeast,
and South Asia. An introduction to this region, its societies, political economies,
geography, religions, arts, and history will be provided.
This is an existing course previously approved by A2C2: Yes
This is a new course proposal: No
Department Contact Person: Yogesh Grover, ygrover@winona.edu
University Studies Approval is requested in: Unity and Diversity: Global Perspectives
Attachments: The syllabus explains what is covered in this course. It links the course
objectives with the three University Studies Global Perspectives objectives (a-c). In
addition the syllabus schedule shows how the sections of the course address these Global
Perspectives objectives. The syllabus is included here for purposes of illustration.
As required by the approval process, the following address the three outcomes listed for
Global Perspectives courses and documents course content relevant to the course
outcomes.
Global Perspectives
The purpose of the Global Perspectives requirement in University Studies is to improve
students’ understanding of the growing inter-relatedness of nations, people, and the
environment, and to enhance students’ ability to apply a comparative perspective to
cross-cultural social, economic, political, spiritual, and environmental experiences.
Courses that fulfill the global perspectives requirement must address at least two of the
following outcomes:
These courses must include requirements and learning activities that promote
students’ abilities to:
a. understand the role of the world citizen and the responsibility world citizens
share for their common future.
Asia is where the majority of people in the world live. The goal of this course is to
introduce students to Asia: its culture and its issues. Students cannot properly understand
either the role of a world citizen nor their responsibility without understanding the culture
and issues of the majority of the world’s people. Once this knowledge exists, students
can proceed to reflect upon and discuss their role and responsibilities related to the
peoples and countries of Asia and their impact on larger global issues and
responsibilities.
b. describe and analyze social, economic, political, spiritual or environmental
elements that influence the relations between living beings and their environment or
societies.
Some of the oldest and largest societies, economies, and religions are located in Asia.
Because Asia constitutes majorities in terms of societies, political economies,
spiritualities, and environments, this course will giver students the opportunities to
examine these elements within an Asia context and to gain additional insight about these
elements with majority eyes as opposed to solely an American perspective. It is not
possible to fully meet the objective of understanding elements that influence relations
between living beings and their environment or societies without examining Asian
elements. Thus the Asian focus and course objectives are closely linked with this global
perspectives’ objective.
c. identify and analyze specific global issues, illustrating the social, economic,
political, spiritual, or environmental differences that may affect their resolution.
Many key global issues are present in Asia. Within the major global issues framework,
major Asian cases related to the global environment, global conflict, and globalization are
numerous. Because this is an introductory global studies course, special attention in
particular will be paid between the various social, economic, political, spiritual, and
environmental differences as they relate to global issues. Because the course is designed
to have students describe and analyze the various differences related to Asian social,
economic, political, spiritual and environmental systems within and across regions. In
short this objective constitutes the major focus of the course.
Winona State University
Global Studies Program
GS 250: Introduction to Asia
Credits: 3
Class Meeting Times and Location: TBA
Instructor: Global Studies Staff
E-mail address: TBA
Home Telephone: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
Required Learning Materials:
Alan K. L. Chan, Gregory K. Clancey & Hui-chieh Loy (eds.)
Historical Perspectives on East Asian Science, Technology and Medicine,
Singapore University Press (2002)
Bose, S. Modern South Asia: History, Culture, Political Economy, OUP (2000)
Yasunari Kawabata, The Sound of the Mountain, translated by Edward
Seidensticker. Vintage International (1996)
Bharti Kirchner, Sharmila's Book, Dutton (1999).
Louis Lebel and Will Steffen with the Southeast Asian Regional Committee for
START, Global Environmental Change and Sustainable Development in Southeast
Asia: Science Plan for a SARCS Integrated Study, (Global Change System for
Analysis, Research and Training) (1999)
Colin Mackerras (editor), East and Southeast Asia, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner
Publishers (1995).
Mira Nair (director) Monsoon Wedding, USA Films (2002)
Satyajit Ray (director) The Home and the World based on novel by Rabindranath
Tagore (1984)
Masayuki Suo (director), Shall We Dance (1997)
Ssu-yu Teng and John K. Fairbank, “Commissioner Lin’s Program for Meeting
British Aggression,” In China’s Response to the West, a Documentary Survey 18391923, Harvard University Press (1954)
Pramoedya Ananta Toer, This Earth of Mankind, Penguin (1992).
Peter Wang (director), A Great Wall (1986)
Peter Weir (director), The Year of Living Dangerously (1983).
Zhang Yimou (director), To Live (Huozhe) 1994
Catalog Description: This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of the areas
that make up the Global Studies Asian Regional Perspective: East, Southeast, and South
Asia. An introduction to this region, its societies, political economies, geography,
religions, arts, and history will be provided.
University Studies Program: This is a WSU University Studies Program course
meeting the requirements of Global Perspectives in the Unity and Diversity
category.
University Studies Program objectives.
1. The promotion of your ability to understand the responsibility world citizens share for
their common global future;
2. The promotion of your ability to describe and analyze social, economic, political,
spiritual, or environmental elements that influence the relations between living beings
and their environments or between societies; and/or
3. The promotion of your ability to identify and analyze specific global issues illustrating
the social, economic, political, spiritual, or environmental differences that may affect
their resolution.
Course Objectives:
1. To describe Asia as an area of study (linked to University Studies Global
Perspectives’ objective 2;
2. To describe important and different Asian perspectives (linked to Global
Perspectives’ objective 3); and
3. To describe the unity and diversity of Asia and our global citizenship
responsibilities (linked to Global Perspectives’ objectives 1 and 3).
The university studies global perspectives objectives will be central to our study.
Students will continually have the opportunity to reflect upon and come to an
understanding of their global citizenship responsibilities in light of what they are learning
about Asia. The second objective related to learning about key cultural elements of
Asian culture is the major focus of this course. A focus on citizenship responsibilities
and cultural elements will lead to a significant focus on global issues as they are related
to Asia, the third and final global perspectives objective.
Each of the above objectives (university studies and general) is interdisciplinary (that is
using and integrating knowledge across academic disciplines). Therefore Introduction to
Asian Studies is necessarily an interdisciplinary as opposed to disciplinary field of study.
The course calendar below links course topics with the above course objectives.
Assessment Procedures: Beside the evaluation methods and requirements listed below, I
will be assessing what you have learned with regard to the course objectives on a daily
basis through conversation and short writing assignments including one-minute papers at
the end of class. I want to make sure that you are reading and understanding as well as
are able to demonstrate your learning and critical thinking through regular oral and
written communication. I want to encourage you to raise questions about materials you
do not understand via e-mail, telephone calls, office visits during class. In addition I am
always happy to listen and discuss your own interests and points related to the course
material in order to help you increase your own learning with regard to the course
objectives.
Evaluation Procedures:
Multiple choice/essay exam on East Asia (20%)
Multiple choice/essay exam on South Asia (20%)
Multiple choice essay exam on Southeast Asia (20%)
Individual presentation on Asian topic of interest possibly using Asian student as
resource (15%)
Class participation (including classroom oral and written contributions, quizzes, extra
credit oral reports about Asia events attended outside of class) (15%)
Weekly Asian news, newspaper, and event reporting (10%)
Note: The above evaluation opportunities have been chosen so as to give each of you
several different ways of demonstrating your learning and making it possible for you to
earn the course grade you desire. I am always open negotiation and suggestions about
changes in these assignments as long as they will increase your learning and do not
overburden you, however bring these up earlier in the semester rather than later.
Grading Scale: A= Excellent, 4.0; B= Very Good, 3.0; C= Average, 2.0, D= Below
Average, 1.0; F=Failing, 0.
Policy on Attendance and Tardiness: Attendance in class is required. Roll call will be
taken frequently until I get to know your names, and thereafter I will record attendance
on my own for each class. If you have more than two unexcused absences, your
participation grade will likely be lowered. Being regularly late for class will negatively
affect your participation grade. Professionalism requires that you communicate
anticipated absences in advance to me and arrange to receive class notes and assignments
from classmates.
Academic Integrity Policy: From the WSU Undergraduate Catalog: "Academic integrity
at Winona State University is based on honesty. The University community requires that
work produced by students represents their personal efforts and requires that they
properly acknowledge the intellectual contributions of others.
WSU Students are required to adhere to the University's standards of academic
integrity. The following are examples, not intended to be inclusive of types of behavior
that are unacceptable and will be viewed as violations of the academic integrity policy:
cheating, deception and misrepresentation, enabling academic dishonesty, fabrication,
multiple submission, and plagiarism."
Please consult the catalog for further explanation of these examples and due
process. Please raise any questions you have about academic integrity in class or during
office hours. We will discuss the purpose and particulars of this policy as we prepare for
course assignments. While I encourage collaborative learning and study, I want to
distinguish this from doing your own work and giving others credit on assignments.
Policy and Penalty for Missed Exams, Assignments, Etc.: Your assignment will be
reduced by one grade for each day that it is late. This includes being absent on the due
date. Please do not miss class because your assignment is late as you will be penalized
for a late paper and missing class. While I am willing to grant extensions with or without
penalty for good reasons, professionalism demands that you make such a request prior to
the due date if at all possible.
Policy for Individuals with Special Needs: Winona State is committed to making its
programs accessible to all qualified students. Students who need accommodation are
advised to provide documentation to the 504 Coordinator, Phelps Hall 129. In addition,
please see me early in the semester so that we can discuss your needs and how I can assist
your learning.
Policy for Proper Safety Procedures: Your safety is of the utmost concern of WSU and
its instructors. Immediately alert your classmates and me to any safety hazards you
observe.
Blackboard: We will utilize Blackboard as needed throughout the semester as needed
but not until I return from Bangladesh.
This syllabus is subject to change based upon your learning needs and WSU
academic requirements. I welcome your suggestions for improving your learning
experience, the earlier in the semester, the better.
Course Schedule
I. Course Introduction (Global Perspectives objectives 1 & 2) :
A. Why study Asia?
B. What is Asia? Demographic, mapping, political economic and artistic
exercises
C. The Unity and Diversity of Asia Traditions and Perspectives
II. East Asia (Global Perspectives objectives 1, 2, and 3)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Video introductions to East Asia
Literary and Musical introductions from East Asia
Social Science Perspective of East Asia and the World
Science and East Asia
III.
Southeast Asia (Global Perspectives objectives 1, 2, and 3)
A. Video introductions to Southeast Asia
B. Literary and Musical introductions from Southeast Asia
C. Social Science Perspective on Southeast Asia and the World
D. Science and Southeast Asia
IV.
South Asia (Global Perspectives objectives 1, 2, and 3)
A. Video introductions to South Asia
B. Literary and Musical Introductions from South Asia
C. Social Science Perspective on South Asia and the World
D. Science and South Asia
V. Conclusion: Asia and Globalization (Global Perspectives objectives 1, 2, & 3)