ASIAN STUDIES COURSES FALL 2008

CHINESE 101: ELEMENTARY CHINESE
The course aims to develop fundamental listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities in Mandarin Chinese. Students will learn around 250 new words and more than 30 grammar patterns. To get familiar with Pinyin rules is an essential part. Class activities may also include practicing calligraphy, experience of Chinese food and music, and film show to encourage students’ participation and understanding of Chinese culture.
SONG  MWF 9:00 – 9:50

CHINESE 111: INTERMEDIATE CHINESE
The course continues Chinese 101 and 102. It will emphasize listening and especially the skills of speaking, with words accumulated in previous lessons. Moreover, the development of familiarity with Chinese characters, including fundamental structures and stroke orders, will be stressed through intensive reading and writing practices. Students have more computer-based exercises, such as character typing, online search, and imovie project. Other activities include essay presentation, experience of Chinese food and music, calligraphy practice, and film shows, to foster a better understanding of Chinese language and culture.
SONG MWF 2:10 – 3:00

CHINESE 231: CHINESE CIVILIZATION
This course presents the fundamental features and highlights of Chinese civilization from Neolithic age down to the twentieth century. It explores the origin, transformation, and continuity of this long-standing culture, discussing varied aspects in philosophy, religion, political institutions, and literature and arts. It will also uncover certain areas of Chinese culture that are becoming transnational interests, for instance, Buddhist meditation. No prior knowledge of China or Chinese language is required. All works are read in English translations.  [Asian Studies Minor, Asia Foreign Culture Cluster]
SONG MWF 10:00 – 10:50

GOVERNMENT AND LAW 379: THE POLITICS OF CHINA IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD
This course is designed to acquaint students with the structures and processes of politics in China. The course emphasizes the events and transformations since the Communist Party established its regime in 1949. The theme of the course is state capacity and state-society relations. The course will cover the domestic politics of the People’s Republic of China as well as China’s international relations including China’s approach to security and its role as one of the world’s great economic and political powers. 
FREINER    MWF 2:10-3:00

HISTORY 249: JAPAN IN MODERN TIMES
This course examines modernization as a socio-political phenomenon and modernity as a subjective experience through the lens of Japan's recent history. Diaries, memoirs, novels, and films from all walks of life form the basis of inquiry. Lecture, discussion, writing and film. No Prerequisites. [AS, CC, IA, NH]
BARCLAY  MWF 1:10-2:00

JAPANESE 101: ELEMENTARY JAPANESE
There is no prerequisite requirement for this course. This course teaches fundamentals of spoken and written language, including real-life situation contexts of greetings, counting, explaining daily activities, requesting, making plans, and shopping.
IKEGAMI  　MWF 9:00-9:50

JAPANESE 111: INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE
Japanese 101 and 102 are the prerequisites for this course or with the instructor’s permission. This course reviews and expands the basic structure patterns and vocabulary with increasing emphasis on reading. More elaborate social and ritual exchanges as well as casual speech are developed. 
IKEGAMI  　MWF 10:00-10:50

JAPANESE 290: INDEPENDENT STUDY
This course may be taken as a continuation after 112, or with the instructor’s permission.  This course emphasizes reading more authentic materials and writing compositions and corresponding.
IKEGAMI       TBA

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 212:  Buddhism - From India to Asia and Beyond
This course is an introduction to the development of the Buddhist religion and its spread throughout Asia. The course begins with the rise of Buddhism in India, focusing on the development of important Buddhist practices such as meditation, and concepts such as the nature of suffering and the means of attaining release from suffering. We then examine Buddhism as it is practiced in different places--China, Japan, Tibet, and southeast Asia--giving special attention to the changes and adaptations which Buddhism undergoes as it encounters new environments. The course considers the religious practices of Buddhist monks and nuns and laypeople, and includes readings from important Buddhist texts. Counts toward Asia Foreign Culture Cluster and Asian Studies minor.
RINEHART  TR  1:15 -2:30 

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 215:  Islam
Islam, one of the fastest growing religions in the United States today, is also one of the most misunderstood ones. This course will introduce students to the basic faith traditions of Islam, its scripture, doctrines, laws, and rituals. We will survey its historical development from the time of Muhammad to the present, and analyze current debates within and about Islam. Topics that will be examined include Muslim approaches to democracy and secularism, religious pluralism in Islamic history, the doctrine of jihad, and the place of women in Muslim societies. 
SAYEED  MW  11:00-12:15 pm

The Asian Studies minor consists of 5 courses including INDS 112 and 4 approved courses from at least two different departments chosen in consultation with the program coordinator, Prof. Rinehart (rineharr@lafayette.edu).  http://www.lafayette.edu/admissions/majors/asian_studies.html