Course Catalog 2007-2008

Professor Barry Keenan, Director

John Cort, Todd Frolking, Alexandra Green, Carol Harvey, Ching-chu Hu, Barry Keenan, Laurel Kennedy, Xinda Lian, Songhua Lin, James Pletcher, Michael Tangeman, Ruth Toulson

To graduate with a degree in East Asian Studies requires a balance of courses in Chinese or Japanese language study with courses, selected from a variety of departments, focusing on the East Asian region (normally defined as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam). Study in China or Japan for a semester or a year on an approved program is encouraged. Every senior major will research a topic chosen by the student in consultation with professors from two disciplines.

The twenty-eight credits to fulfill the East Asian Studies minor include: two semesters of intermediate Chinese or Japanese, the two core courses, and three additional courses chosen from category III (see below). Only one independent study course, or one comparative course will count towards the minor.

(These requirements apply to the class of 2008 and after.)

Majors will choose courses in close consultation with a faculty advisor. Senior year the major will apply the methodologies of two disciplines to a research topic normally focusing on China, Japan, or their interaction. The major requires: (1) two semesters of intermediate Chinese or Japanese, (2) two core survey courses, one from II. A . and one from II. B., (3) five area studies courses with a maximum of two from III. B and C combined, and (4) a senior research project, that together will equal a total of forty credit hours. Advisors can help the student select which courses in approved study-abroad programs will meet the requirements below.

Study Abroad. Denison-approved programs of study in the People's Republic of China are available in Nanjing and Beijing for semester or year-long periods through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), as well as through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES). Applications can be considered for either semester, or for a year. In Hong Kong, the International Asian Studies Program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is approved, and is normally two semesters in length. In Japan, the Waseda program is approved for a full year, and the Institute of Asian Studies programs at Nagoya or Tokyo for Spring semester or for the full year, and Nagoya for the fall semester are also approved.

Summer Research Through Denison's Young Scholar Awards. The research must culminate in a written or artistic project and a presentation to other summer scholars. Grants are competitive with other Denison students applying for the summer. Student scholars will live on Denison's campus. Dormitory housing is provided. The student stipend is $3,300. Meals are excluded. Applications: Submit by early February for the coming summer. Guidelines are on the Provost's home page under summer research.

Summer Internships. There are no special grants for East Asian Studies internships. However, the Careeer Services Library has a folder of reports by previous interns who found internships both domestic and abroad in which they learned about East Asia. These organizations were approached by Denison students when a special grant paid their travel and a stipend. The reports can identify some likely organizations, and then students should write them beginning in early October to research which ones have paid internships. The student should then contact Maureen Feeney (feeneym@denison.edu) in Career Services for the names of other organizations. Limited financial support is available from her office for students on need-based financial aid.

First Year Topical Seminars (EAST-102).  Topical seminars offered on a variety of subjects by faculty from all divisions of the college. Examples of recent seminars are: "The Mandate of Heaven in Dynastic China" and; " Modern Japanese Literature: A Response to Western Influences?". Course normally listed as a section under FYS 102. Staff. 4

History of Asian Art Survey (EAST-157).  Survey of the arts of India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia emphasizing works in their historical, religious and social context. Course normally listed as ARTH 157 Staff. 4

Elementary Topics in East Asian Studies (EAST-199).  Staff. 4

International Problems (EAST-200).  Staff. 4

Dream and Fantasy in East Asian Literature (EAST-206).  Through close analysis of some of the most important recurrent themes, this course will examine how the Chinese and Japanese literary traditions reinvent and revitalize themselves in their development. Students will also study the distinctive features of the major genres in the two traditions. Lian. 4

Religions of China and Japan (EAST-216).  How are Chinese and Japanese experiences of religion different from those in the West? Are the Confucian, Daoist, and Shinto traditions religions or philosophies? What did Confucius mean when he said, "A superior man is devoted to the fundamentals. When the fundamentals are firmly established, the moral law will grow"? What did Lao Zi mean when he said, "The Way that can be spoken of is not the eternal Way"? What is Zen? What is the sound of one hand clapping? What role does religion play in Japanese life? Cort. 4

Traditional East Asian Civilization (EAST-232).  The civilizations of China and Japan from classical times to the nineteenth century. Topics treated: the unique staying power of the 2000-year tradition of the Chinese dynastic state; the distinctive religious and scientific traditions that flourished under the scholar-official bureaucracy of imperial China; the Japanese samurai ideal, and the political economy of Japan's centralized feudalism. (Normally offered in the spring) Course normally listed as HIST 141. Keenan. 4

Modern East Asia (EAST-233).  Beginning from an insider's view of how both prince and peasant saw the world around them before the encroachment of the West, this course analyzes the modern transformation of East Asia. Topics include: the conflict of Sinocentrism and modern nationalism in the Chinese revolution, the Japanese road to Pearl Harbor, and the significance of the Korean War in East Asia. (Normally offered in the fall) Course normally listed as HIST 142. Keenan. 4

Buddhism (EAST-234).  A historical and thematic survey of the Buddhist tradition from the time of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, until the present. Emphasis upon the ways in which Buddhist teachings and practices have interacted with and been changed by various cultures in Asia, and more recently in North America. Course normally listed as Religion 233. Cort. 4

Introduction to Modern Chinese and Japanese Literature (EAST-235).  This course places representative works by important Chinese and Japanese authors in appropriate literary and historical contexts. All works are read in English. Course is normally given in the spring and is listed as JAPN 235. Tangeman. 4

Special Topics in East Asian Art History (EAST-264).  Staff. 4

Modern Japan in Film and Literature (EAST-273).  This course uses film and modern literature to consider responses to political, economic, and sociological changes in Japanese society over the course of the twentieth century. Staff. 4

Art of Japan (EAST-291).  A survey of Japanese architecture, sculpture, painting, and the decorative arts from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with an emphasis on the works in their cultural and religious context. Staff. 4

Art of China (EAST-292).  A survey of Chinese architecture, sculpture, painting and the arts from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with an emphasis on the works in their religious and cultural context. Staff. 4

Philosophical Taoism in Chinese Literature (EAST-305).  This course examines a special group of Chinese texts that will not only enlighten, but also delight modern readers: ancient Taoist text written in fascinating literary style, and a variety of literary works informed with Taoist spirit. No knowledge of Chinese is required. (Normally offered in the spring) Course is normally listed as CHIN 305. (Not offered 2007-2008) Lian. 4

Japan's Modern Canon (EAST-309).  In this course we will read extensively from the works of four twentieth-century Japanese authors who have been elevated to the status of canonized writers, that is, whose works are regarded both in and out of Japan as essential in the history of Japanese letters. Note that readings will vary from semester to semester. Tangeman. 4

Advanced Chinese (EAST-321).  Fifth-semester Chinese offered by remote collaboration from Kenyon College. (Normally offered in the fall) Course normally listed as CHIN 321. Bai. 4

The Confucian Classics (EAST-326).  An examination of the basic texts of the East Asian cultural tradition that define human nature, and what it is to be moral. The canon of Confucian classics has probably been the most influential in world history. They still provide a modern ground of discourse for the Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese peoples. Tutorial discussion of personal journals, and class discussions centered on personal reflections to the texts place individualized learning at the heart of this seminar. (Normally offered in the fall) Course normally listed as HIST 431. Keenan. 4

East Asia Since World War II (EAST-328).  This course is a systematic political history of East Asia from 1940 to the present. China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam are covered in detail with comparative study of selected aspects of Indonesian and Philippino history. Themes include: The division of the Korean peninsula and the political identity of the North; Japan's Pacific War and the succeeding American Occupation of Japan; Vietnam at war, 1945-1975; The Chinese civil war of 1945, and the reforms instituting market socialism in China from 1975 to 1995. Keenan. 4

Studies in Contemporary East Asian Studies (EAST-345).  Staff. 4

Directed Study (EAST-361).  Staff. 1-4

Directed Study (EAST-362).  Staff. 1-4

Independent Study (EAST-363).  Staff. 1-4

Independent Study (EAST-364).  Staff. 1-4

Art History Seminar: Problems in Art History (EAST-408).  Specialized topics in art history. Topics announced as class is offered. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Course normally listed as ARTH 408. Staff. 4

International Communication: Politics and Policy (EAST-409).  This seminar examines the nature of information flows between nations, the issues raised by such communication, and the institutions involved and patterns evident in the resolution of policy differences. The course surveys the transfers of news and entertainment programming as well as financial, trade and other data across borders, and suggests a range of issues raised, such as the uses of information in foreign policy, the extension of cultural imperialism, corporate invasion of privacy, and incursions upon sovereignty and national security. In examining the resolution of such issues, the course analyzes how nations' power is distributed and utilized in international fora. Course normally listed under Communication 409. Staff. 4

Senior Research Project: East Asian Studies (EAST-450).  Senior Project in East Asian Studies. Selecting two disciplines, the student chooses a topic in East Asian Studies and utilizes the skills of both disciplines to analyze that topic in a major research paper, directed by faculty members in those disciplines. This research project culminaties the major and is completed in either semester of the senior year. Staff. 4

Senior Research (EAST-451).  Staff. 4

Senior Research (EAST-452).  Staff. 4

Honors Project (EAST-461).  Staff. 4

Honors Project (EAST-462).  Staff. 4