Departments and Programs
Interdisciplinary Minors

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OTHER INTERDISCIPLINARY MINORS   CATALOGUE

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Asian Studies Minor

An interdisciplinary minor introducing diverse perspectives regarding Asian society. The minor includes courses in artistic forms, historical contexts, economic structures, religious practices, and political systems. Through this minor, students will acquire knowledge about the differences and similarities among Asian cultures as well as between Asia and the "West."

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the core course, the minor may count toward either Humanities or Social Science divisional requirements.

Requirements and Design

This minor will require 20 credits for its completion, composed as follows:

1. Interdisciplinary Studies 220 Asian Studies.  An overview of some of the issues pertinent to encounters between "Asia" and the "West." In particular, the course examines the history and development of such encounters, from colonialistic notions of "Orientalism" to postcolonial critiques to contemporary visions of Asian-Americans. To this end, varying ideas of Asia as the "Other" are contrasted with ideas that Asia has had important influences on the "West." Specific topics vary from year to year, and could emphasize environmental, political, literary, or religious aspects. Course materials might include classic texts, scholarly works, memoirs, fiction, and films. This course is required for the minor in Asian Studies. .

Notes:     (i) The course will be taught on a bi-yearly basis by one of the Asian Studies faculty members. It will be listed as a Liberal Studies course. If the student wishes to receive departmental credit for the course, it can be approved by the department of the given instructor.
     (ii) This course can be taken at any point during the student's progression in the minor.
   

 

2. At least two courses (eight credits) in the Humanitites Division (listed below). Four credits of this requirement may be taken in Chinese or other introductory-level Asian language.
• Chinese 110 Beginning Chinese I
• Chinese 120 Beginning Chinese II
• Chinese 215 Intermediate Chinese
• Chinese 225 Chinese Readings, Films, and Composition
• Chinese 590 Independent Study in Chinese
• Dance Studies 106 Cultural Dance (note: this is a one-credit course)
• Dance Studies 110 Yoga I (note: this is a one-credit course)
• Dance Studies 111 T’ai Chi Ch’uan (note: this is a one-credit course)
• Dance Studies 190 Meditation (note: this is a one-credit course)
• Dance Studies 210 Yoga II (note: this is a one-credit course)
• Dance Studies 270 Dance: Ritual of Experience (Note: this is a four credit course)
• English 460 Topics in Postcolonial Literatures (prerequisites: English 200, and one of the English 201-204
  (Note: this course rotates among different faculty and different topics in the Department of English, and is not always taught every year. Please see its instructor and/or the Director of the Asian Studies minor regarding its availability and applicability to the Minor in Asian Studies.
• Religious Studies 140 Islam
• Religious Studies 150 Hinduism
• Religious Studies 151 The Problem of the Self: East and West (prerequisite: at least one course in Philosophy or Religious Studies)
• Religious Studies 160 Buddhism
• Religious Studies 165 Zen Buddhism and Japanese Culture
• Religious Studies 170 Religions of China
• Religious Studies 335 Violence and Non-violence in the Religions of India

 

3. At least two courses (eight credits) in the Social Science Division (listed below).
   • Economics 256 Economic Development (prerequisites: one micro-based and one macro-based introduction to economics)
   • Economics 251 International Economics (prerequisites: one micro-based and one macro-based introduction to economics)
   • Economics 261 Comparative Economic Systems (prerequisites: one micro-based and one macro-based introduction to economics)
   • Environmental Science 420 Understanding Third World Environmental Problems (prerequisite: Environmental Science 110)
   • History 142 Samurai and Geisha: Fact, Film and Fiction
   • History 240 Japan From Earliest Times to 1600
   • History 242 The History of Japan, 1600-2000
   • History 244 Modern China, 1800-2000
   • History 246 Change, Conflict, and Development: East Asia in the 20th Century
   • History 350 East Asia and Europe: Commercial, Cultural, and Diplomatic Encounters, 1500-1900
   • History 352 The Meiji Restoration of Japan
   • History 354 Japan at War and Defeat, 1931-1960
   • History 382 We Are What We Eat: World History through Food and Beverages
   • Political Science 194 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Feminism and Women's Movements
   • Political Science 245 Third World Politics
   • Political Science 381 South Asia in the Global Arena
   • Political Science 383 Politics and Culture in the Asia-Pacific
   • Political Science 385 Government and Politics of China
   • Political Science 585 US-Japan Relations (prerequisite: permission of instructor)

 

4. At least one course must be taken at the 300 level or above.

    

5. For purposes of fulfilling requirements toward the minor, students may count only one course (four credits) of the courses listed above in italics.