Courses in East Asian Studies - University at Albany-SUNY

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# Courses in East Asian Studies

A EAS 103 Sources of East Asian Civilizations I (3)
A basic introduction to the primary texts that have contributed to the formative cultural foundations of Chinese and Korean civilizations. Readings will include the Analects of Confucius, the Tao te ching, and the Journey to the West.

A EAS 104 Sources of East Asian Civilizations II (3)
A basic introduction to the primary texts that have contributed to the formative cultural foundations of Korean and Japanese civilizations. Readings will include selections from the Tale of Genji and Basho’s Narrow Road to the Deep North.

T EAS 105 Traditional China and Its Modern Fate (3)
This course introduces the major social, intellectual, and political components of pre-modern China and describes the changes to those components that have occurred in China since the beginning of the 20th century. Formerly A EAS 105H. Open to Honors College students only.

A EAS 140 Introduction to East Asian Cinema (3)
This course offers an introduction to East Asian cinema, with emphasis on movies produced in China and Japan. Lectures and class discussions will focus on the interpretation of cinematic texts, especially as they relate to cultural dynamics and social change.

A EAS 177/177Z (= A HIS 177/177Z) East Asia: Its Culture and History (3-4)
An introduction to the history and cultures of East Asia (China, Japan, and Korea), their major institutions and their religious and philosophical traditions from ancient times to the present. Only one version of A EAS 177 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 190 Confucianism and the Samurai Ethic (3)
This course will examine primary texts in translation from Confucius’ Analects to 20th century political propaganda in an effort to trace the origins and evolution of the ideas that formed the samurai ethic in Japan. Course taught in English; no knowledge of Chinese or Japanese necessary.

A EAS 220 Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy (3)
Practical instruction in the artistic design and the different styles of written Chinese and Japanese with the traditional implements: brush, rice paper, ink plate and ink bar. Knowledge of Chinese or Japanese is not required.

T EAS 250 China's Confucian Tradition (3)
This course addresses the central philosophical and ethical issues in the Confucian tradition, a main source of East Asian cultural values. The emphasis will be on reading and discussing translations of primary sources, including the Analects of Confucius, the Mencius, excerpts from the other Confucian Classics and Confucianism’s key interpreters in later centuries. Topics addressed will include human nature, the foundations of political life, ethical decision-making, and the Confucian vision of learning. Upon completion of the course, students will have an appreciation of both the richness of the tradition and the challenges it faces in adapting to the modern world. Open to Honors College students only.

A EAS 260 (= A HIS 260) China in Revolution (3)
This course examines China’s four great 20th century revolutions: the 1911 Revolution, the 1949 Communist Revolution, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Topics include authority and dissent, constituency mobilization, the relationship between urban and rural regions, and the changing nature of ideology in China. Only one version of A EAS 260 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 261 (= A REL 261) Introduction to the Religions of Japan (3)
An introduction to the major religious traditions of Japan, particularly Shinto and Buddhism, this course will cover the major forms of religious expression in Japanese history from the earliest historical records to the so-called New Religions which arose in the 20th century. Discussion will include the philosophical, artistic, social, and political dimensions of religion in Japanese society. Only one version of A EAS 261 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 265 (= A REL 265) Introduction to Indian Buddhism (3)
An introduction to the story of Buddhism in South Asia. Focus is on the evolution of the Buddhist view of sentient life during its first 1500 years on the subcontinent as expressed primarily in doctrine, but cultural, artistic, social, and political issues will also be considered. Only one version of A EAS 265 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 266 (= A REL 266) Buddhism in China and Japan (3)
An introduction to the heritage of Buddhism in East Asia. Focus is on the cultural interaction between Indian Buddhist notions of the human condition and the traditional religious and philosophical assumptions of China and Japan. Discussion will center on doctrine and the history of its transmission and understanding, including issues in language, artistic expression, and the establishment of the monastic community. Only one version of A EAS 266 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 270 (= A WSS 270) Women in East Asian Literature (3)
By examining literary pieces from China and Japan, this course will examine the constraints of patriarchy, vestiges of matriliny, functions served by portrayals of women, and treat questions such as: What can one deduce from early literary sources concerning women and their societies? Why do some people perceive gender related issues certain ways? and Why are women depicted certain ways? Conducted in English; no prior knowledge of the East Asian languages or cultures is required. Only one version of A EAS 270 and A WSS 270 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 321Y (= A GOG 321Y & A LCS 321Y) Exploring the Multicultural City (3)
This course will explore the human dimensions and implications of ethnic diversity in the United States, focusing on New York City. The course utilizes a variety of methods to introduce students to the multicultural city, beginning in the classroom but ending with fieldwork in a specific New York neighborhood. Only one version of A EAS 321Y may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): one of A GOG 102, 125, 160, 220, or 240. May not be offered in 2015-2016.

A EAS 345 (= A REL 345) Ethical Issues in East Asian Thought (3)
This is a discussion course that looks at ethical issues of contemporary significance to the cultures of Asia. Students read contemporary academic discussions of how problems such as suicide, euthanasia, abortion, sexuality, cloning, etc. have been understood historically and in terms of contemporary social morality in India, China, Tibet, and Japan. Only one version of A EAS 345 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 357 (= A REL 357) Zen Buddhism (3)
An introduction to the religious, philosophical, and artistic tradition of Zen Buddhism in China, Korea, and Japan and the West. This course looks at the birth and subsequent historical evolution of the Zen or Ch’an school of Buddhism in East Asia. We will look at the intersection of Buddhist and Chinese presumptions about spirituality that gave rise to this unusual religious form, discussing precisely what is and is not iconoclastic about its tenets. The experience of American Zen communities will also be considered. Only one version of A EAS 357 may be taken for credit.

A EAS 362/362Z (= A ECO 362/362Z) Economies of Japan and Korea (3)
A study of the economic growth of Japan and Korea and of current issues facing these economies. Only one version of A EAS 362 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ECO 110 and 111 or permission of instructor.

A EAS 375 (= A HIS 375) Japan-Korea Relations: 1592 to the Present (3)
This course explores Japan-Korea relations from the end of the 16th century to the present day. It proceeds chronologically to chart the evolving diplomatic relationship between the ruling families in Japan and Korea during the early modern period before then turning to examine Japan's colonial domination of Korea starting in the late 19th century and the postcolonial situation that has existed between Japan, North Korea, and South Korea since shortly after the end of World War II. Substantial attention will be placed on exploring issues of national identity, race, and imperialism as they relate to the interconnected histories of Japan and Korea as presented in this course. Only one version of A EAS 375 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A EAJ 170, A EAK 170, A HIS 177 or permission of instructor.

A EAS 389 Topics in East Asian History, Literature, and Culture (3)
This course will focus on a selected topic of traditional or modern East Asian literature, history, religion or culture for intensive study. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.

A EAS 450 (= A REL 450; formerly A EAS/A REL 393) Readings in Buddhist Texts (3)
This is an advanced course in the study of Buddhism that will focus on the close reading of Buddhist scriptures in English translation. Prerequisite(s): A EAS 265, 266, or permission of instructor.

A EAS 468 (= A HIS 468; formerly A EAS/A HIS 399) Confucius and Confucianism (3)
This course surveys the main texts and themes in the development of the Confucian tradition from its origins in China through its spread in Japan and Korea to its reemergence in contemporary East Asia. The emphasis is on the way that the tradition has responded to social conditions. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between Confucian intellectuals and political power. The rivalry with other traditions (e.g. Taoism, Buddhism, Marxism, Liberalism, etc.) will also be considered. Only one version of A EAS 468 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A HIS 177, A EAS 103, 170, 190, A EAC 379, or permission of instructor.

A EAS 475 (formerly A EAS 395) The History and Culture of Traditional Tibet (3)
This course surveys the salient aspects of the culture and history of the Tibetan region. Topics of particular interest include the evolution of Tibetan social and political structures, the importance of Tibet’s main religious traditions, and the distinctiveness of its artistic heritage (both visual and literary). Course materials include primary sources in English translation, scholarly works, and visual images. Prerequisite(s): any one of the following: A EAC 170, 379, 380; T EAS 105, A EAS 103, 262, 265, or permission of instructor.

A EAS 478 (formerly A EAS 397) The Silk Road (3)
The course examines the history of various land links between China and India, which are known collectively as “The Silk Road.” Special attention is given to the transmission of ideas (Buddhism), art forms, and commercial goods along this route, especially during the heyday of the Silk Road from about 600 to 1000 AD. The many discoveries made by Western archeologists in Central Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are also considered, as well as issues related to their removal of Silk Road treasures to museums in Europe and around the world. Prerequisite(s): any one of the following: A EAC 170, 210, 211; A EAS 103, T EAS 105.

A EAS 495 Colloquium in East Asian Studies (3)
Directed readings and conferences involving several members of the faculty for students pursuing undergraduate honors in the Department of East Asian Studies. To be offered only when requested by students eligible for the honors program. This course may be repeated once with the approval of the student’s honors project adviser. Prerequisite(s): major in the department; junior or senior standing; acceptance into the Honors Program.

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