Asian & Middle Eastern Studies

Asian Studies

113 New West, CB# 3267
(919) 962-4294

First Session, 2024

ARAB 203 Intermediate Arabic I (4)

Third semester of Arabic language instruction, comprising both Modern Standard Arabic and one spoken dialect. Coursework includes expanded grammar and vocabulary, and culturally relevant activities.

ASIA 65 First-Year Seminar: Philosophy on Bamboo: Rethinking Early Chinese Thought (3)

This course will introduce students to the main works and themes in early Chinese thought from the earliest recorded writings down to the Qin unification in 221 BCE.

ASIA 150 Asia: An Introduction (3)

Maymester. The course introduces Asia’s historical, cultural, and political diversity by examining some of the global forces that have shaped Asian societies (e.g., colonialism, orientalism, and neoliberalism). Class will meet synchronously from 11:30-1:30; the last hour and 15 minutes (1:30-2:45pm) will be devoted to completing writing assignments, doing quiz work, developing presentations, and meeting with the instructor in individual or small group sessions.

ASIA 180 (RELI 180) Introduction to Islamic Civilization (3)

A broad, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary introduction to the traditional civilization of the Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both RELI 180/ASIA 180 and ASIA 138/HIST 138.

ASIA 462 (JWST/PWAD 462) The Arab-Jews: Culture, Community, and Coexistence (3)

Maymester. The Israeli (Zionist)-Arab conflict, which has lasted for over 100 years, has instilled in the minds of many the notion of the incompatibility of the terms “Arabs” and “Jews.”  The presence of Jews in Arab lands and the often peaceful co-existence between the Jews and their neighbors render “Arab-Jews” not an oxymoron, but a historical reality. This course is designed to examine Jewish life in Arab lands in the last century by examining culture, language, and the communal life the Arab-Jews shared with their neighbors of other faiths. Class materials include scholarly texts, literary works, films, and music related to the theme of Arab-Jews. Course flyer.

CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I (4)

Introduction to Mandarin Chinese, focusing on pronunciation, simple conversation, and basic grammar. Reading and writing Chinese characters are also taught. Writing Chinese characters is required. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 and CHIN 111. One extra hour of asynchronous activities daily.

CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I (4)

Second-year level of modern standard Chinese. Writing Chinese characters is required. One extra hour of asynchronous activities daily.

CHIN 242 Chinese Qin Music (4)

This course offers students an opportunity to learn the aesthetics, culture, and history of qin, and study the music through learning the beginning levels of qin pieces.

CHIN 255 Bandit or Hero: Outlawry in Chinese Literature and Films (3)

This course explores the idea of outlaws as hero in the 16th-century kung-fu novel Outlaws of the Marsh and its influence on modern kung-fu and gangster films.

CHIN 356 Chinese Environmental Literature (3)

MAYMESTER. Introduces students to Chinese and Taiwanese cultural understandings of human relations to the natural environment. Analyzes classical and modern environmental literature (poetry, essays, fiction, and philosophy) and evaluates how contemporary building practices, governmental policies, and green technologies may be influenced by diverse Chinese philosophical traditions.

Chinese aesthetics in painting, poetry, architecture, garden and urban design are said to emphasize one of the essential concerns of sustainability, harmony between humans and their environment (tianren heyi).  In this course we study classical and modern Chinese literature (translations of poetry, fiction, and philosophy) to compare how Han Chinese, Indigenous Taiwanese, Tibetan, Wa, Yi, and Mongolian traditions relate humans to their environments (animals, plants, ecosystems, the cosmos). Analyzing these literary imaginations of relational dynamics among humans, non-human animals, ecosystems, and cosmos may challenge our prevailing ecological paradigms. We also consider how principles from these traditions might inform current green technologies, practices, and policies that address pressing global environmental concerns. No previous knowledge of Chinese language, literature, or philosophy is required.

HEBR 101 Elementary Modern Hebrew I (3)

Introduces the essential elements of modern Hebrew structure and vocabulary and aspects of modern Israeli culture. Aural comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing are stressed.

Second Session 2024

ARAB 204 Intermediate Arabic II (4)

Fourth semester of Arabic language instruction, comprising both Modern Standard Arabic and one spoken dialect. Coursework includes expanded grammar and vocabulary, and culturally relevant activities.

ASIA 231 Bollywood Cinema (3)

This course explores the development of the Indian cinema, with particular emphasis on the Hindi-Urdu films produced in Mumbai (Bollywood). This course will meet synchronously on Mondays only; the remaining 80% of the instruction will be asynchronous.

ASIA 240 (MUSC 240) Punks, Gongs, and Shadow Plays (3)

The study and comparison of contemporary Southeast Asian performance genres (music, theatre, dance, ritual) in historical and cultural contexts.

ASIA 300 (RELI 283) The Buddhist Tradition: India, Nepal, and Tibet (3)

Examines the diverse beliefs, practices, and cultures associated with Buddhism in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Tibet. Topics include Buddhism’s development and spread, the cultural dynamics of Himalayan societies, monasticism, folk religion, revivalism, tourism, gender, globalization, and the role of the state in shaping Buddhist life and culture.

CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II (4)

Continued training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing on everyday topics. Writing Chinese characters is required. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 and CHIN 111. One extra hour of asynchronous activities daily.

CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II (4)

Second-year level of modern standard Chinese. Writing Chinese characters is required. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 204 and CHIN 212. One extra hour of asynchronous activities daily.

HEBR 102 Elementary Modern Hebrew II (3)

Continued instruction in the essential elements of modern Hebrew structure and vocabulary and aspects of modern Israeli culture. Aural comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing are stressed.