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UGRD > ASIAN
Asian Studies
ASIAN 104L Introduction to East Asian Art
Description:
This course is an introduction to East Asian art, focusing on Japan and China. It is divided into three historical segments: early forms of Buddhism, paintings of the scholar class, and the interaction of tradition with imported Western cultural forms. These topics provide a comparative context for exploring style, culture, class and gender. ART 104L and ASIAN 104L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
ASIAN 115L Survey of Contemporary Asia
Description:
This broad survey course provides a basic familiarity with some of the major political, social and cultural issues in modern Asia from the mid-nineteen century tot he present. We will deal specifically with China, Japan, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The major themes include: social inequality, religious and ethnic diversity, political conflict and economic change (South Asia): colonialism and war (South East Asia): military nationalism, revolution, alternative paths to modernity and economic development (East Asia). Asian Studies 115 is the gateway course for all students wishing to major in Asian Studies at UMass Boston. ASIAN 115L and HIST 115L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 160L East Asian Civilizations to 1850
Description:
An introduction to the traditional civilizations of China, Japan, and to a lesser extent Korea, from the earliest times to the arrival of the modern industrial West in the mid-nineteenth century. (Course offered in the fall only.) ASIAN 160L and HIST 160L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 161L East Asian Civilizations since 1850
Description:
An introduction to the modern transformation of China, Japan, and, to a lesser extent, Korea, from their encounter with the industrial West in the mid-nineteenth century up to the present day. (Course offered in the spring only.) ASIAN 161L and HIST 161L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 232L Asian Religions
Description:
This course focuses mainly on Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism, briefly touching also on Hinduism, Confucianism, and Shinto. It situates the classical teachings of these traditions in their historical contexts in India and East Asia, compares them to other worldviews more prevalent in the West, and invites students to consider their possible relevance to life in the world today. ASIAN 232L and RELSTY 232L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 275L Peoples and Cultures of China
Description:
This course describes and analyzes China and Chinese society through the perspective of culture. By looking at the ways in which Chinese people lead their lives, the beliefs and ideas they place importance upon and the ways in which these ideas are manifested in people's actions, we hope to gain a more thorough understanding of China as a social, political and economic entity, and a more nuanced and analytical understanding of Chinas diverse peoples. Some of the themes we will address include the following: unity and diversity in Chinese society, the role of the family, the place of the state, food and eating, gender relations, ritual and religion, popular culture (particularly movies and opera), economic and social change, nationalism and international relations. ANTH 275L and ASIAN 275L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 358L Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia
Description:
Why do attitudes in China, Korea, and Japan differ from Western attitudes on such issues as human rights; individualism and community; child rearing; moral and psychological development; the role of government; and proper behavior in business organizations? This course explores the roots of these differences in the Confucian tradition. ASIAN 358L and RELSTY 358L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 359L Women in Modern China
Description:
This course examines the social and cultural roles of Chinese women, and their changes over time. Emphasis is given to twentieth-century China, especially the People's Republic period. ASIAN 359L and HIST 359L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 360L Traditional China
ASIAN 361L The History of Modern China
Description:
A survey of the political, social, and intellectual development of China from 1800 to the present, with emphasis on Sino-Western relations and twentieth century reform and revolution. (Course offered in the fall only.) ASIAN 361L and HIST 361L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
ASIAN 363L Modern Japan
Description:
A historical survey of economic, social, political and cultural developments in Japan from 1800 to the present, special consideration of economic and foreign policy problems. ASIAN 363L and HIST 363L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 365L Icons of East Asia: Stereotypes, gender, and cultural history from geisha girls to martial masters
Description:
This class explores popular cultureal icons of East Asia critically and comparatively, with particular attention to two well-known examples -- women entertainers and male martial artists, to: examine how and why these categories were formed and became important; understand how dynamic these seemingly timeless icons actually are; and, investigate how gendered identies are constructed and manipulated for particular goals. ASIAN 365L and MDNLNG 365L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 371 Environmental Issues in China
Description:
This course will analyze China's environmental and resource challenges including food security, wildlife, conservation, water, air, and land pollution, water distribution, deforestation, desertification and population control. We will study the issues from economic, scientific, and social perspectives and look at solutions as well as causes. We will also study China's environmental initiatives and accomplishments. Topics covered include pollution remediation, environmental protection,and investments in clean energy technology. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 375L Women in South Asian Religions: Gender Ideology and Practice in Hinduism, Buddihism, and Islam
Description:
This course examines women in South Asian history through the intersections of women's lives with three major faith traditions of the subcontinent - Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Using historical, Literary, and anthropological lenses the course will consider how various institutions of authority - patriarchy, religion, and the state - have shaped and reshaped gender ideology in South Asia, and how women, throughout South Asia's history, have, in turn, interpreted and negotiated their position in society. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
ASIAN 478 Independent Study
Description:
For those with special interest in a project dealing with East Asia. More Info
Offered in:ASIAN 480 Topics in Asian Studies
ASIAN 488L The Idea of Asia
Description:
This course examines the imagination of Asia from a variety of perspectives: historical, economic, religious, philosophical, literary, and artistic. It begin from the extreme social and cultural diversity of the continent as it is currently defined, and asks first, how the idea of a coherent Asia was constructed; and second, what effects this idea has had in both "Asian" and "European" history. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the Asian Studies major. ASIAN 488L and MDNLNG 488L are the same course. More Info
Offered in:
