Asian Studies

ART 259: The Arts of China

This course is intended as an introduction to the history of Chinese art, offering a survey of major artistic developments from neolithic times to the present. Among the topics considered: ritual bronzes, funerary remains of the Qin and Han, Buddhist sculpture, and the evolution of landscape painting. Important issues discussed include production and patronage, function, and borrowing and influence in the evolution of artistic works across time and space. Offered annually. Also counts toward Asian studies and Chinese majors and Asian studies concentration.

ART 260: The Arts of Japan

This course introduces the history of Japanese art, offering a survey of major artistic developments from neolithic times to the present. Among the topics considered: funerary remains of the neolithic through Kofun eras; indigenous as well as imported religious traditions and their imagery, and the secular arts. Issues discussed include production and patronage, function, and borrowing and influence in the evolution of artistic works. Offered annually. Also counts toward Asian studies and Japanese majors and Asian studies concentration.

ASCON 110: Asian Conversations: Global Flows

"Global Flows" engages students in academic and public discourses that emphasize inclusivity, cross-cultural understanding, and global citizenship. We will examine the movement of objects, ideas, and people across history and within and outside of Asia, helping students develop a historical foundation for their future study of Asia. As a first-year seminar, students will also focus on building community as well as skills for succeeding at college. This is the first course in a four-course Conversation Program.

ASCON 120: Asian Conversations: Imagine Asia

"Imagine Asia" explores the concepts of "self" and "other" in both Asian and American contexts, taking them as entry points for engaging with the histories, cultures, and communities of the region. We will examine how Asia has been integrated into the global circuits of meaning, imagination, and (mis)representations and what popular media can reveal about power, race, gender, sexuality, and national identities. As a writing and rhetoric course, students will write in multiple genres and engage in writing as a systematic, interactive process for different purposes and audiences. This is the second course in a four-course Conversation Program.
Prerequisite: ASCON 110.

ASCON 215: Asian Conversations III (study abroad)

Students pursue guided fieldwork experience in Taiwan and Japan. Activities and readings in this course build on the topics from ASCON 210 and language study. Students continue to explore their understanding of Asia through language activities, site visits, and ethnographic observations. Students develop projects and follow a process of inquiry that will help them understand how ordinary people construct "Asian" culture and society today. Offered periodically during January term. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors and Asian studies concentration.
Prerequisite: ASCON 120.

ASCON 216: Asian Conversations III (on campus)

Building upon the knowledge and language skills acquired throughout the previous year and a half, students will pursue guided fieldwork experience in the United States. Students reflect on the experiences of Asians in America through readings, site visits, ethnographic observations, and interviews. Students develop projects and follow a process of inquiry that will help them understand how ordinary people construct "Asian" culture and society in the United States today. Offered periodically during January term. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors and Asian studies concentration.
Prerequisite: ASCON 120.

ASCON 220: Asian Conversations: Engaging Asia with Voice and Representation

The final course in the Asian Conversations program will provide critical reflections on the students' academic and personal journey in the Asian Conversations program in particular, and in the college as a whole. Students examine diverse interpretations of Asia, engage with various primary and secondary texts through written and oral presentations, including materials collected during January Term, and conclude their overall experiences from their past two years in the learning community and beyond. Offered annually in the spring semester. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors and Asian studies concentration.
Prerequisite: CHIN 231 or JAPAN 231, and ASCON 215 or ASCON 216.

ASIAN 121: Asian Cultures in Comparative Perspectives

This course examines major cultures of Asia from interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Themes vary from year to year, but may include urban and rural life, heroic ideals, gender and sexuality, medicine and healing traditions, and nation-building and empire.

ASIAN 123: Asia in America

This interdisciplinary course introduces the field of Asian American Studies and the multiple cultural and historical productions of Asia and America, from art and film to food and lifestyles. Critical analysis of topics such as ethnic/cultural identities, stereotypes, citizenships, media/popcultures, body images, sexuality, practices of different Asian communities, and various contemporary issues are explored through interactive in-class activities, films, presentations, and field trips. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese, Japanese, and race and ethnic studies majors and race and ethnic studies concentration.

ASIAN 126: Language in Japanese Society

This course explores major aspects of language use that reflect Japanese culture and society. Issues covered include the characteristics of the Japanese language, loan words, regional differences, politeness, gender differences, and communication styles. The course is taught in a combination of lectures, class discussions, subtitled Japanese films, anime (Japanese animation), and student presentations. Knowledge of Japanese helpful but not necessary. Readings, lectures, and discussions are all in English. Offered alternate years. Also counts toward Japanese major and applied linguistics concentration.

ASIAN 130: Asian Science Fiction in Global Perspective (English translation)

This course explores the evolution of and the imagined possible worlds in Asian science fiction, which has proven to be a media-hopping genre, from the early 20th-century to the present. The quest thus will traverse short stories, novels, manga, anime, and films. Emphasis is placed on close readings of primary sources, the historical moments that prompt the texts' science fictional musings, and their cross-cultural appeals. All readings and viewings will be available in English translations. Offered alternate years. Counts toward Asian Studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors as well as Asian Studies concentration.

ASIAN 156: Contemporary China Through Film (Taught in English)

This course examines contemporary China through Chinese-language cinema across different eras, genres, filmmakers, and geographic regions. Students explore the art of film and how visual narratives represent, reinterpret, and redefine Chinese society and culture both at home and abroad. Discussion topics include modernity and tradition, nationalism and globalization, class and race, gender and sexuality, and independent and commercial films. All readings are in English. LAC component available. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese major and film and media studies major and concentration.

ASIAN 200: Topics in Asian Studies

The department periodically offers courses on special topics. The specific title will be listed in the class and lab schedule when it is offered. Depending on course content, can also count toward Chinese and/or Japanese majors.
Prerequisite: determined by instructor.

ASIAN 217: Encountering China: Shanghai (study abroad)

In this course, students travel to Shanghai, China. They consider how direct experience provides them with their own narratives about people, places, and culture of China. Through attention to their own structured and unstructured experiences during the course, students better understand how ordinary people construct "Chinese" and "Asian" culture and society today. Through multifaceted engagement with Shanghai and other sites students may visit during their stay, they analyze the role representation and narrative play in both their encounter with and study of Asia. Offered periodically during January Term. Apply through Smith Center for Global Engagement. Also counts toward the Chinese major.
Prerequisites: at least one Chinese language course.

ASIAN 218: Encountering Japan: Tokyo (study abroad)

Students pursue guided fieldwork experience and language study in Japan. Activities and readings in this course build on the topics from ASCON 110 and ASCON 120 and language study. Students continue to explore their understanding of Asia through language activities, site visits, and ethnographic observations. Students complete language-based tasks and follow a process of inquiry that will help them understand how ordinary people construct "Asian" culture and society today. Offered periodically during January term. Counts toward Asian Studies and Japanese majors and Asian Studies concentration. Priority will be given to ASCON students.
Prerequisite: at least one semester of Japanese language study at St Olaf or equivalent.

ASIAN 224: Page to Screen: Modern Japanese Literature in Film

In this course students read and analyze a selection of 20th- and 21st-century Japanese novels and short stories in English translation, and then watch film adaptations of the same works. Students analyze the literary and cinematic works in terms of cultural themes, artistic expression, and specific socio-historical contexts. Students learn and apply introductory approaches to adaptation theory, and consider the creative process of adapting literary works to film. Taught in English. No knowledge of Japanese required. Evening film screenings are required in addition to class meetings. Offered periodically during January Term. Also counts toward Japanese and film studies majors and film and media studies concentration.

ASIAN 230: The Philosophy of Anime

This course considers works of anime from the post-World War II period to the present. The course begins with an introduction to the language and theory of Anime Studies. In subsequent weeks, students watch and analyze a variety of anime genres. This course employs a comparative approach to the study of anime; each anime is paired with excerpts from germane works of philosophy or literature. All anime viewed for this course includes English subtitling. Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) component course available. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors.

ASIAN 234: The Body in Japanese Women's Literature (Taught in English)

Students read a selection of 20th & 21st century Japanese literary works written by women. Close readings and class discussions focus on representations of the (female) body and bodily/embodied experiences in the assigned texts. What do these representations reveal about specific social contexts and gendered roles/expectations in Japanese society? Gender is a primary analytical concern, and students must feel comfortable reading about and discussing gender, sexuality, and the body. All course materials are read in English translation. No knowledge of Japanese is required. Offered periodically during January term.

ASIAN 235: Modern Japanese Literature (Taught in English)

This course introduces students to major works of Japanese literature (in English translation) written from 1885 to the present. The focus of this survey is Japan's rich body of prose narratives -- novels, novellas, and short stories -- and considers works within their socio-historical contexts as well as within larger trends and developments in Japanese and literature. Offered alternate years. Also counts toward Japanese major.

ASIAN 236: Traditional Chinese Literature (Taught in English)

Students explore the major genres of traditional Chinese literature -- poetry, short story, novel and drama -- in English translation. A small number of major works are singled out for close attention. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese major.

ASIAN 237: Modern Chinese Literature and Society

This core course of Asian studies introduces students to modern Chinese literature and society. It examines canonical and popular works of Chinese writings including fiction, drama, autobiography, correspondences, and poetry from the early 20th century to the 21st century. Films and songs also serve as supplementary material when appropriate. Students read texts in translation and approach them in the context of modern Chinese society. They also study the literature as it reflects diverse Chinese communities across political boundaries. Offered annually. Also counts toward Chinese major.

ASIAN 244: Language and Race in Japan and USA

While explicit racism is not tolerated, implicit language-related racism is usually invisible and pervasive. Why? This course examines the relationship between language, race, and power. Through exploring materials from different times (from the nineteenth century to contemporary), spaces (Japan and USA), and texts (language policies, popular media), students examine the role of language in constructing racial Other and how speakers "negotiate" race with language. Offered periodically. Also counts toward the Japanese and race and ethnic studies majors and the applied linguistics and race and ethnic studies concentrations.

ASIAN 255: Engaging Asia: San Francisco (study away)

Engaging the diverse cultures and Asian American communities in San Francisco, students learn about the intersection of power, race, class, gender, sexuality, language, and multiculturalism. Students examine the past through immigration history, museums, and Angel Island; experience the present in Chinatown, Nihonmachi (Japantown), and the Castro District; and explore the future by connecting with alumni, academics, and Silicon Valley professionals. Through guest lectures, readings, discussions, field trips, and digital projects, students gain unique perspective and knowledge in one of the historical, political, and cultural centers of Asian America. Offered periodically during January Term. Apply through Smith Center for Global Engagement. Also counts toward Chinese, Japanese, and race and ethnic studies majors and race and ethnic studies concentration.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

ASIAN 268: The Art of Calligraphy: Techniques and Appreciation

From classical form to avant garde, this course introduces students to the various artistic representations of Asian calligraphy. Students explore the aesthetic concepts, evolution of different styles, and practical techniques of brush-written writings. Class lectures complement hands-on practice in which students master the basic strokes, structures, compositions, and movements that are involved in producing calligraphic work. Asian language knowledge is not required. All readings and demonstrations will be in English. Materials fee. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors.

ASIAN 282: Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy in an Asian Context

This interdisciplinary course explores principles and approaches in second language learning and teaching with the focus on Asian languages. Through debunking myths in second language learning, students will learn key factors affecting second language learning and effective language learning strategies. Skills in teaching a second language in Asian context are also discussed. However, this course focuses on the research and theoretical understanding of language acquisition rather than on pedagogical methods of language teaching. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors and applied linguistics concentration.

ASIAN 294: Academic Internship

ASIAN 298: Independent Study

ASIAN 310: Buddhism through Text and Image

This course examines Buddhist images and their relationship to textual sources. Beginning with a close reading of Buddhist texts in translation, students study how Buddhist images and architecture derive from textual sources -- and often move beyond them. The course considers the interrelatedness of text and image in Buddhist practice. Attention is also paid to Western notions of Buddhism and the development of Buddhist art studies in the West. Offered alternate years. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors.

ASIAN 333: What is a Hero?

This interdisciplinary course explores the timeless concept of the hero from both Asian and Western traditions. Classical heroes will be analyzed along with those featured in contemporary films, fictions, comics, and pop culture. The main goal is to compare and examine how heroes have informed intellectual, artistic, and moral traditions in various cultures and how heroic ideas were spread, transformed, and re-imagined to suit the needs of their times. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors.

ASIAN 394: Academic Internship

ASIAN 396: Directed Undergraduate Research

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.
Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor.

ASIAN 397: Seminar: Human Rights/Asian Context

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that "the inherent dignity and ... the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family [are] the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." Who speaks to human rights in East Asia? What ethical perspectives are voiced? Case studies presented through memoirs, films, reports, and multidisciplinary analyses provide the material for exploring diverse normative claims about individual rights in East Asia. Offered annually. This course is designed as a capstone experience for Asian Studies, Chinese and Japanese majors and Asian Studies concentrators. Other students need permission of instructor to enroll.

ASIAN 398: Independent Research

ASIAN 399: Seminar for Asian Studies Majors

A capstone experience offering an opportunity to pursue a research project and to discuss issues of general interest to students of Asia. This seminar proceeds along two tracks: one focusing on discussion of readings of general interest to Asian Studies students, the other devoted to research, writing, and presenting findings to the class. Offered annually. Also counts toward Chinese and Japanese majors.
Prerequisites: junior or senior Asian Studies, Chinese, or Japanese major.

AS/ES 277: Environmental Sustainability in Japan (study abroad)

Students investigate community-based approaches to environmental sustainability during this January Term course taught at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in northern Japan. Students explore how ARI builds on local Japanese resources to support its mission of training rural leaders from developing countries in organic agricultural practices. Activities include field trips, discussions, and symposia with Japanese students, as well as hands-on participation in the daily food life at ARI. Offered periodically during January Term. Apply through Smith Center for Global Engagement. Counts toward Asian studies, Japanese, and environmental studies majors and Asian studies and environmental studies concentrations.
Prerequisites: preference given to students with prior coursework in either Asian studies or environmental studies.

AS/PS 255: Politics in Asia

How do people in Asia understand citizenship? Students learn how membership in cultural, social, and political communities shapes rights, responsibilities, and identities in Asian countries. Reading historical and social science research, students consider and compare citizenship in Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Offered periodically. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, Japanese, and political science majors and Asian studies concentration.
Prerequisite: one previous course in Asian studies or political science is recommended.

AS/RE 253: Hinduism

This course, surveying the general nature and assumptions of Hindu thought, focuses on the diversity of doctrines and practices within some of its major traditions. Students analyze selections from authoritative Sanskrit texts like the Upanishads and Bhagavad-gita, directing special attention to the central issues and developments in Hindu-Christian dialogue. Offered periodically. Counts toward Asian studies and religion majors and Asian studies concentration.

AS/RE 254: Jesus on the Indian Road: A Perspective on Christianity

The Indian Church, which claims the apostle Thomas as its founder, is the "home base" for this historical exploration of Christianity from the apostolic age to the present. The course considers Christian teachings about God and Jesus, biblical interpretation, worship, response to social, political, and cultural practices through encounters between Indian Christians and other churches. The multiple religions of India, its colonial experience, and its contemporary society are essential context. Offered periodically. Counts toward Asian studies and religion majors and Asian studies concentration.

AS/RE 256: Religions of China, Korea, and Japan

This course introduces the religious and philosophical traditions of China, Korea, and Japan: Confucianism, Chinese Taoism, Buddhism, Japanese Shinto, and the folk traditions. Students read classical texts such as Confucius' Analects, Zhuangzi, Taodejing, and Chan Buddhist texts, and analyze fundamental values and concepts such as Tao, yin/yang, and humaneness. Offered periodically. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, Japanese, and religion majors and Asian studies concentration.

AS/RE 257: Buddhism

This course studies the Buddhist view of the human predicament and its solution. Students examine the life of the Buddha, Buddhist scriptures, and the historical and philosophical development of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism in East and Southeast Asia. Offered periodically. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, Japanese, and religion majors and Asian studies concentration.

AS/RE 289: Buddhism, Peace and Justice

Students examine contemporary Buddhist moral teachings on social issues such as violence and peacemaking, human rights and social justice, and humanity and the environment. Coursework focuses on the writings of Vietnamese monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, Tibetan leader-in-exile Tenzin Gyatso (Fourteenth Dalai Lama), American ecologist Joanna Macy, and others. Students consider the moral paradigms of Christianity and Buddhism: Christ and the Bodhisattva. Offered annually. Counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, Japanese, and religion majors and Asian studies concentration.

HIST 250: China: Past and Present

This course introduces the history of ancient and imperial China beginning with the earliest historical records through the 19th century. In this broad sweep of history, students engage with works of literature, philosophy, religion, medicine, the arts, and political statecraft in English translation. Rather than focusing solely on political history and dynastic change, this course also explores the cultural and social lives of ordinary people as a central theme. Offered annually during fall semester. Also counts toward Asian studies and Chinese majors and Asian studies concentration.

HIST 251: Revolutionary China

This course explores China across the tumultuous 20th century. Beginning from Qing late imperial China (mid-1800s-1911) through the reform period of the 1980s, students discuss the schools of thought that changed daily life in revolutionary China: fascism, nationalism, anarchism, feminism, socialism, and communism. Through close readings of primary sources in English translation, students investigate what constitutes revolution as a theory and practice in modern China, and how a revolution begins, continues, declines, and rekindles. Offered annually. Also counts toward Asian studies and Chinese majors and Asian studies and business and management studies concentrations.

HIST 253: Modern Japan

This survey of modern Japan from 1800 to the present examines the political transformation of the Meiji Restoration, the industrial revolution and social and cultural change, the rise and fall of party government, militarism and Japanese expansionism in World War II, the American occupation, and postwar social, political, economic, and cultural developments. Offered alternate years. Also counts toward Asian studies and Japanese majors and Asian studies and business and management studies concentrations.

HIST 345: East Asia Seminar

This seminar covers varying topics in East Asian history. Recent topics have included "World War II in East Asia and the Pacific," "Nationalism and Communism in Southeast Asia," and "Engendering Modern East Asia." May be repeated if topic is different. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors and Asian studies concentration.

PHIL 249: Asian Philosophy

This course surveys the influential philosophical traditions of India and China. Students explore the major traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Taoism and consider other traditions with which they have interacted. Where appropriate, comparisons are drawn to Western philosophical traditions. Offered annually. Also counts toward Asian studies major.
Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or permission of instructor.

PSCI 245: Asian Regionalism

Currents of nationalism, regionalism, and globalization organize political life around the world. What trends and policies promote regional integration? What forces frustrate integration? To answer these questions this course investigates security, economic, and cultural relations at the beginning of the 21st century within Asia and between Asia and Russia and the U.S. This course looks at the historical interaction of national, regional, and global forces for additional answers. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Asian studies, Chinese, and Japanese majors and Asian studies and international relations concentrations.
Prerequisite: previous course in Asian studies or political science, or permission of instructor.

REL 133: Buddhist Meditation Traditions

Meditative practice lies at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. Students explore the theories and practices of meditation in the Buddhist traditions historically developed and practiced in India, China, Korea, and Japan. Through this course, students develop an in-depth understanding of the Buddha's teachings in association with the principles behind those meditative practices, the modern adaptations of these practices, as well as the relationship with the Buddhist teachings on well-being and spiritual happiness. Offered annually in the spring semester. Also counts toward the Asian studies major and concentration.