Asian Studies (ASST)

Course information contained within the Bulletin is accurate at the time of publication in August 2023 but is subject to change. For the most up-to-date course information, please refer to the Course Catalog.

ASST 0811. Asian Behavior & Thought. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to some of the major philosophical and religious traditions of Asia, and their roles in Asia and the world today. You will learn about some of the dominant features of these traditions and be exposed to several important ideas, institutions, and practices. How do these ideas influence the behavior of individuals and communities? How does individual and communal behavior and beliefs differ regionally and historically? We will read and discuss selections from primary works as well as secondary scholarship, while surveying key doctrines and historical developments. Note: This course fulfills the Human Behavior (GB) requirement for students under GenEd and Individual & Society (IN) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: CRIT 0811, PHIL 0811, CHI 0811, JPNS 0811, REL 0811, or REL 0911.

Course Attributes: GB

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 0857. The Detective Novel. 3 Credit Hours.

The detective novel remains the most popular of literary forms since its American origins in Edgar Allan Poe. The form has spread to virtually every part of the world, taking on different perspectives in the different societies where it has prospered. Our course analyzes the global travels of this prolific literary genre, paying particular attention to the manner in which its formula of crime-detection-resolution has evolved from its classic phase in the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, to its hard-boiled phase in the 1940's US, to the transformation of the private detective working outside the formal apparatus of the law into the police detective working within the law in places as different as Sweden, Holland, Nigeria, and India. We will read bestselling detective novels by figures such as Emile Gaboriau, Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, Jorge Borges (Argentina), Vikram Chandra (India), Henning Mankell (Sweden), Janwillem van de Wetering (Holland), Kole Omotosho (Nigeria), and Soji Shimada (Japan). We will pay special attention to the conventions of the form and analyze its evolution as it travels the world. In exploring its global travels, we will attend to a number of issues, including: the changing definition of crime; the evolving representation of the criminal; the changing methods for "solving" the crime; the ideology of justice; the conflicts between community and individuality; and the varying social and national anxieties that the form reveals. DUPLICATE CREDIT WARNING: Students who have received credit for English 0857 or Critical Languages 0857 will not receive additional credits for this course.

Course Attributes: GG

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 0862. Development & Globalization. 3 Credit Hours.

Use historical and case study methods to study the differences between rich and poor nations and the varied strategies available for development in a globalizing world. Examine the challenges facing developing countries in historical and contemporary context and analyze the main social, cultural, and political factors that interact with the dynamic forces of the world economy. These include imperialism/colonialism, state formation, labor migration, demographic trends, gender issues in development, religious movements and nationalism, the challenges to national sovereignty, waves of democratization, culture and mass media, struggles for human rights, environmental sustainability, the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, and movements of resistance. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: History 0862, POLS 0862/0962, or SOC 0862/0962.

Course Attributes: GG, SI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 0863. Religion in the World. 3 Credit Hours.

Learn about the major religious traditions found worldwide today: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and several indigenous traditions. Examine the beliefs, practices, and values of these groups in order to understand the worldviews and ways of life of the people who practice them. Our interdisciplinary analysis and interpretation of specific examples of religious experience will help shed light on the overall meaning of religion and human existence. We will carefully consider examples while also focusing on particular thematic issues, like cosmology and ritual. Develop appreciation for the religious vibrancy and diversity that exist in human cultures while you actively engage in the learning process through class presentation, class participation, paper-writing, and a self-selected field trip. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Duplicate Credit Warning: Students may take only one of the following courses for credit; all other instances will be deducted from their credit totals: Religion 0863, 0963, 1101, C053, Asian Studies 0863, Critical Languages 0863, or Philosophy 0863.

Course Attributes: GG

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 0868. World Society in Literature & Film. 3 Credit Hours.

Learn about a particular national culture - Russian, Indian, French, Japanese, Italian, for example, each focused upon in separate sections of this course - by taking a guided tour of its literature and film. You don't need to speak Russian, Hindi, French or Japanese to take one of these exciting courses, and you will gain the fresh, subtle understanding that comes from integrating across different forms of human expression. Some of the issues that will be illuminated by looking at culture through the lens of literature and film: Family structures and how they are changing, national self-perceptions, pivotal moments in history, economic issues, social change and diversity. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: Arabic 0868/0968, Chinese 0868/0968, English 0868/0968, French 0868/0968, German 0868/0968, Hebrew 0868, Italian 0868/0968, Japanese 0868/0968, Jewish Studies 0868, Korean 0868, LAS 0868/0968, Political Science 0868/0968, Russian 0868/0968, or Spanish 0868/0968.

Course Attributes: GG

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 0871. Arts in Cultural Context. 4 Credit Hours.

View the arts as an expression of cultural identity as it occurs across the globe. Each semester, we will focus on a particular world region or country, including but not limited to Russia, Japan, and Latin America. The exploration of cultural identity begins with an overview of the region or country's historical and religious influences and then studies the culture's arts, including the visual arts (painting, sculpture), musical traditions, literature (folktales, national mythology), the vernacular arts (crafts, storytelling), film and theater. You will take field trips or have experiences that will allow you to encounter the region's arts firsthand, and to develop a blended understanding of a people's cultural identity and the larger world. Note: This course fulfills the Arts (GA) requirement for students under GenEd and Arts (AR) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: Arabic 0871, Hebrew 0871 or Russian 0871.

Course Attributes: GA

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2000. Special Topics in Asian Studies I. 2 to 4 Credit Hours.

Provides a cross listing for regular and writing intensive courses in other departments when they have substantial Asian Studies content. Also used for directed readings and new courses. NOTE: Cross listing arranged by Asian Studies Director.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 2001. Practical Asian Society and Culture. 3 Credit Hours.

Emphasizes practical Asian Studies knowledge and skills. This course provides a foundation for living and working in four countries: China, Japan, Korea, and India. It includes basic aspects of the culture of daily life and work, such as meeting people, communication patterns, entertaining, holidays, and taboos. The course also builds fundamental skills for independent research on Asian society and culture and develops basic presentation skills for use in the workplace and the Asian Studies capstone course. Student teams select and research one aspect of a society or culture, using print and online sources. NOTE: Required for Asian Business & Society Certificate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2011. Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868. 3 Credit Hours.

Novels, poetry, travel diaries, plays, and other genres from Japan's Heian through Edo periods. No knowledge of Japanese language expected. Note: Students who have already taken JPNS 2011 will not receive duplicate credit for ASST 2011.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2012. Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation. 3 Credit Hours.

Major writers and works of late 19th, 20th, and 21st century Japanese literature. NOTE: No knowledge of Japanese language expected. Prior to fall 2009, the course title was "Survey of Japanese Modern Literature." Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2012. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2012 or JPNS 2012.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2013. Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature in Translation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on 20th- and 21st-century literature from China. Among the major themes of the course are socio-political and cultural upheaval and transformation, fiction and nation, and gender, race and class relations. Students will read representative short stories, novels, poetry, and essays. Selected documentaries and feature films will supplement the literary texts. The course will help familiarize students with major writers and with the cultural and historical contexts in which they produced their works. NOTE: This course is equivalent to CHI 2013. Students will earn credit only once for either ASST 2013 or CHI 2013.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2014. Pre-Modern Chinese Literature. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to Chinese literature from its inception to the early 18th century. Some of the course's readings are drawn from works well known in the west like the "Book of Songs," "Zhuangzi," the poems of the Tang poets Wang Wei, Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi, and the Song poet Su Shi, and short stories by the dramatist and novelist Li Yu. Other readings include works less well known in the west but long considered central to various literary and performance traditions by many Chinese. This course will present its readings with an emphasis on their cultural and historical contexts. Special attention will be paid to the place they have in various Chinese literary traditions and how these traditions have contributed to both Chinese ways of understanding their own cultural heritage and how they have influenced western understandings of that heritage. Note: This course is cross-listed with Chinese 2011. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2014 or CHI 2011.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2015. Tokyo in Literature and Film. 3 Credit Hours.

Like all great cities, Tokyo simultaneously fascinates and frightens us. The course explores this fascination and fear through the work of leading writers and directors who have responded to and shaped the city in their work. Readings will include essays, short stories, and novels by authors such as Yasunari Kawabata, Fumiko Hayashi, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami. Films by directors such as Yasujiro Ozu, Satoshi Kon, and Shosuke Murakami will be reviewed and discussed. Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2015. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2015 or JPNS 2015.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2016. Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines mystery and crime fiction in Japan through the work of writers such as Edogawa Rampo, Matsumoto Seicho, and Kirino Natsuo. Through critical analysis of novels and short stories, we'll seek insights into the anxieties and tensions of life in modern and contemporary Japan. We'll explore a range of socio-cultural issues in areas such as family life, education, careers, and gender relations. All readings and discussions are in English. Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2016. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2016 or JPNS 2016.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2017. Stories of Parents and Children in Japanese Literature and Film. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the portrayal of family relationships in modern and contemporary Japanese fiction and film. Topics for study and discussion include the tension between older and younger generations, and changing understandings of the family within Japanese society. The work of writers and filmmakers such as Soseki Natsume, Yasujiro Ojo, Kafu Nagai, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Haruki Murakami will be examined. Class discussions and activities, readings, and written assignments aim at developing students' critical skills. Knowledge of Japanese is not required. Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2017. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2017 or JPNS 2017.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2021. Japanese Literature in Film. 3 Credit Hours.

Cinematic adaptations of Japanese novels and short stories, with the focus on principal figures of film and literature such as Kurosawa and Akutagawa. NOTE: No knowledge of Japanese language expected. Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2021. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2021, ASST 2921, JPNS 2021, or JPNS 2921.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2022. Contemporary Chinese Urban Film and Fiction in Translation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course looks at a selection of Chinese cinematic and literary texts by contemporary filmmakers and writers from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Through the study of film and fiction, we will examine how urban spaces and subjects have been delineated and imagined within the context of recent social and economic transformation and globalization. In particular, we will examine the different ways in which cinematic images and narrative structures celebrate the metropolis and convey the anxieties associated with it. We will explore a wide range of urban subjects as represented in film and fiction, and the ways in which they are shaped by and at the same time are shaping society and culture in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong today. Note: This course is cross-listed with Chinese 2022. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2022 or CHI 2022.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2030. Special Topics I. 3 Credit Hours.

Arranged each semester, please consult with the instructor or the Asian Studies web site (http://www.temple.edu/asian_studies/) for a detailed description.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 2040. Special Topics II. 4 Credit Hours.

Arranged each semester, please consult with the instructor or the Asian Studies web site (http://www.temple.edu/asian_studies/) for a detailed description.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 2050. The Japanese Writer in Focus. 3 Credit Hours.

This special topics course offers students the opportunity for in-depth reading, study, and discussion of the novels and short stories of one or two modern or contemporary Japanese writers. The work of writers who are highly regarded both in Japan and globally - such as Haruki Murakami, Kenzaburo Oe, Natsume Soseki, and Yukio Mishima - will be the focus of the course. Students will also be introduced to published scholarship on the writer's work. All readings are English translations of work originally published in Japanese. Note: This course is cross-listed with Japanese 2050. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2050 or JPNS 2050.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 2074. Geography of East and South Asia. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to the natural environments and diverse contemporary societies that comprise East, Southeast, and South Asia. Emphasis on such topics as poverty, economic development, and social conditions in India, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as China, Japan, and Korea. NOTE: (1) AS Foundation Course. (2) This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information. In addition to meeting the university Core International Studies requirement, this course meets the Non-Western/Third World IS requirement for Communication Sciences majors. Note: This course is cross-listed with Geography and Urban Studies 2074. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: GUS 2074 or ASST 2074.

Course Attributes: IS, SF

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2098. Japanese Popular Culture and its Literature. 3 Credit Hours.

Contemporary culture and literature of Japan. NOTE: No knowledge of Japanese language expected.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2101. Religions of India. 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to the foundations, nature, and principles of classical Hinduism. An introduction to the fundamentals of Buddhism and Jainism. Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 2101. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2101 or REL 2101.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2102. Introduction to Buddhism. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to the historical development of Buddhism in relation to other East Asian religions. Topics include the Four Noble Truths of Basic Buddhism, the Hinayana Mahayana controversy over Buddhist Dharma and practice, as well as the development of Buddhist thought throughout Asia. Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 2102. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2102 or REL 2102.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2107. Asian American Experiences. 3 Credit Hours.

This introductory survey analyzes commonalities and differences in the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American ethnic groups, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans, and South and Southeast Asians. It explores important ideas about the position of Asians in U.S. society, including racialization, assimilation, cultural pluralism, model minority thesis, split labor market, and internal colonialism. It begins with the arrival of the Chinese in the 1830s and ends with contemporary issues. Lectures and videos; emphasis on active student participation in learning through discussion and response papers. NOTE: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core Studies in Race (RS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information. Note: This course is cross-listed with American Studies 2107, History 2107, and Sociology 3223. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2107, AMST 2107, HIST 2107, or SOC 3223.

Course Attributes: RS

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2111. Japanese Literature: From Classical to Contemporary. 3 Credit Hours.

Students taking this course will have the opportunity to learn about Japan's long literary history by reading, discussing, and analyzing selected novels, short stories, poems, and literary essays. The first half of the semester will focus on work produced up through the pre-modern period, with the second half covering the modern and contemporary periods. Writers ranging from Murasaki Shikibu and Yoshida Kenko to Natsume Soseki and Murakami Haruki will be introduced. Class discussions and assignments will help students become acquainted with current theoretical and methodological approaches in the fields of Japanese studies (and, more broadly, Asian Studies) and literary studies. All readings are English translations of work originally published in Japanese. NOTE: Students can receive credit only once for either ASST 2111 or Japanese 2111.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2112. Chinese Literature: From Classical to Contemporary. 3 Credit Hours.

Students taking this course will have the opportunity to learn about China's long literary history by reading, discussing, and analyzing selected novels, short stories, poems, and literary essays. The first half of the semester will focus on work produced from around 1000 B.C.E. through the middle of the 19th century, with the second half covering the modern and contemporary periods. Ancient and classical writers (such as Zhuang Zi, Bai Juyi and Su Dongpo) and modern and contemporary writers (such as Lao She and Mo Yan) will be introduced. Class discussions and assignments will help students become acquainted with current theoretical and methodological approaches in the fields of Chinese. NOTE: Students can receive credit only once for either ASST 2112 or CHI 2112.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2196. Writing in the City. 3 Credit Hours.

Novels, short stories, poetry, and other literary forms both shape and reflect how cities are understood and experienced. "Writing in the City" focuses on literary expressions of the modern and contemporary urban experience in cities such as Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo. This writing-intensive course will offer students the chance to engage with writing from at least two cities (in different Asian countries), focusing on thematic areas that include gender and family, history and memory, and crime and corruption. The main writing-related goals of this course include developing the skills to present evidence-based arguments supported by research, to use a close reading methodology to write an analysis of a literary text, and to carry out effective scholarly peer review. Class discussions and assignments will help students become acquainted with current theoretical and methodological approaches in the fields of Asian studies and literary studies. All readings are English translations of work originally published in languages that include Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2201. Chinese Religions. 3 Credit Hours.

Critical study of the development of Chinese religions from the time of Confucius to Mao, including the problem of ideological continuity in contemporary China (Maoist Marxism versus Confucianism). Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 2201. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ASST 2201 or REL 2201.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2217. The Vietnam War. 3 Credit Hours.

An attempt to probe in-depth one of the most significant and controversial episodes of recent American history. The history of Vietnam since the 19th century with equal emphasis on the First and Second Indochina Wars. The impact of the war on the domestic and international scenes and its multiple legacies. Television and film from the period and guest speakers. Note: This course is cross-listed with American Studies 2217 and History 2217. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: AMST 2217, ASST 2217, or HIST 2217.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2238. Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers an anthropological approach to systems of visual communication that are central to understanding Japanese society and culture. Themes and perspectives from visual anthropology will be applied to visual sign systems of everyday life (writing, clothes, food, etc.), to the prevalence and influences of popular culture emphasizing mass mediated forms of manga (comic books), advertisements, etc. The course will also include ethnographic films about Japanese culture as well as a review of how Japanese culture is communicated to mass audiences through classic and contemporary feature films as well as network television. We will try to unpack some of the stereotypic reductions common to superficial knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2301. Zen Buddhism. 3 Credit Hours.

This course surveys the historical development of Zen Buddhism as it unfolds in India, China, and Japan, and focuses on the examination of the nature of satori experience. Analyzes its existential meaning from perspectives of therapy, Zen practice, and philosophy. NOTE: Formerly titled "Introduction to Zen Buddhism." Students who earned credit under the original title will not receive additional credits for this course. This course is equivalent to REL 2301. Students will earn credit only once for either ASST 2301 or REL 2301.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2351. Japan in a Changing World. 3 Credit Hours.

An examination and analysis of the key elements that contribute to Japan's behavior in the global arena. The development of Japan's interaction with foreign powers, the psychological underpinnings of its diplomacy, and the creation of Tokyo's world view will be discussed. Note: This course is cross-listed with Political Science 2351. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2351 or POLS 2351.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2367. South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences. 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to the peoples and cultures of the Indian subcontinent. The course will focus on the indigenous religions of India: Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism as well as Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism as brought to western India by migrants. Note: This course is cross-listed with Anthropology 2367. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2367 or ANTH 2367.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2373. Japanese Culture. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Topics covered include: early literature, aesthetic principles as expressed in art and architecture, religion, gender roles, Japan's shifting relationships with the outside world, rural communities and urban centers in the 20th century, and the construction of the self in modern Japan. Note: This course is cross-listed with Anthropology 2373. Students may only receive credit for one of these courses: ANTH 2373 or ASST 2373.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2374. The Anthropology of Modern China. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an introduction to the culture and society of the contemporary People's Republic of China (P.R.C.). The first half of the course explores the dramatic changes in both rural and urban sectors of Chinese society since the turn of the century, with a particular focus on post-1949 Maoist and post-Mao socialist transformations. The second half of the course examines such topics as gender and the status of women, ethnic minorities, religion and healing, the self and society, the Party and the state, and P.R.C. narratives of modernity. Throughout, the P.R.C. will be examined as a society that embodies a distinctively Chinese synthesis of tradition and modernity.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2501. Introduction to East Asia: China. 3 Credit Hours.

Within the context of larger processes of socioeconomic and cultural change, this course examines the development of characteristic institutions and thought in traditional China and revolutionary transformation in the modern era. This approach is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of state, society, and culture in China, the major themes of Chinese history, and more generally, broad processes of social change. NOTE: AS Foundation Course. Usually offered in alternate years or summer on Main Campus. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 2501. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2501 or HIST 2501.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2502. Introduction to East Asia: Japan. 3 Credit Hours.

A survey of Japanese history to the 20th century. Major themes include religious, political, and social change. Major topics are: the early centralized state, the rise of aristocratic culture, the emergence of the warrior class, and the modern transformation into an urban, industrial empire. Course materials include primary documents in translation and videos. NOTE: AS Foundation Course. Usually offered in alternate years on Main Campus. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 2502. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2502 or HIST 2502.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2503. Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular. 3 Credit Hours.

Covers the histories of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore from the 16th century until modern times. The course will introduce students to the island worlds of Southeast Asia, its peoples, their histories, societies, and economies. To familiarize students with non-Western worlds, lectures will be illustrated with videotapes, slides, and transparencies. Excerpts of articles and indigenous documents will also be used for discussion. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 2503. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2503 or HIST 2503.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2504. Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland. 3 Credit Hours.

Covers the histories of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, from the 16th century until modern times. It is a course designed to introduce students to the analysis of such forces as religion, statecraft, and trade, and the manner in which they have shaped the mainland countries of Southeast Asia. Reference will be made to contemporary events taking place in the region, and students will be encouraged to follow these developments through the media and integrate their knowledge in class discussions. Course work will include readings, discussions, films, examinations, and book reviews. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 2504. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 2504 or HIST 2504.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2511. Introduction to Asian Business. 3 Credit Hours.

An overview of Asian business practices and their economic, political, and social contexts, with emphasis on Japan, China, Korea, and India. Asian Studies and other non-business majors/minors are welcome. NOTE: Required for Asian Business and Society Certificate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2807. East Meets West. 4 Credit Hours.

A study of the impact of East-West cultural exchanges throughout Japanese art history, concentrating on four main areas: early Buddhist imagery and the influence of Hellenistic and Indian sculpture and paintings; Namban art (art of the southern barbarians) and the effect of the Western approach on the treatment of space in two-dimensional Japanese art; Japonisme and the impact of wood-block prints on European and American artists (Degas, Lautrec, Whistler, Mary Cassatt, etc.); Japanese architecture as an inspiration for modern architects (Bruno Taut, Le Corbusier, F. L. Wright) and cross-cultural Western influences on Japanese architects (Tange, Isozaki, Edward Suzuki, etc.).

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 2815. Japanese Art. 4 Credit Hours.

A look at Japanese history through art, with the primary focus on design and pattern. The course will examine all the major art forms from the earliest times to the present.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3000. Special Topics in Asian Studies II. 2 to 4 Credit Hours.

Provides a cross listing for regular and writing intensive courses in other departments when they have substantial Asian Studies content. Also used for directed readings and new courses. NOTE: Cross listing arranged by Asian Studies Director.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 3001. Earth Ethics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the relationship of human and environmental science to ethical principles. By analyzing case studies that deal with resource sustainability, environmental protection, divergent views of technology and respect for all forms of life, students will assess individual life-styles and alternative visions of the good life on planet earth. Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 3001 and Environmental Studies 3001. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3001, ASST 3904, ENST 3001, ENST 3904, REL 3001, or REL 3904.

Course Attributes: SF, SS

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3011. Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers an introduction into the rich heritage of Chinese literature before 1911 with a focus on religious culture. We will follow Buddhist nuns and monks, Daoist masters and Confucian scholars on their adventures through 2000 years of Chinese history. Thematically, the class will focus on texts that show how Chinese religious traditions (Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism) were depicted in secular literature, but will also include narrative religious texts. From 3rd century miracle tales, to the classical novels of the Ming and Qing dynasty, we will look at Chinese religion through the lens of literature. Next to the readings themselves, we will cover more general aspects such as the relationship of literature to historical facts and notions of genre and motif as they apply to China. NOTE: This course is equivalent to REL 3011. Students will receive credit only once for either ASST 3011 or REL 3011.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3030. Special Topics III. 3 Credit Hours.

Arranged each semester, please consult with the instructor or the Asian Studies web site (http://www.temple.edu/asian_studies/) for a detailed description.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 3031. Women in Chinese Literature. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on women writers and women as characters in premodern, modern, and contemporary Chinese literature. Texts will include poetry, novels, short stories, and drama. Gender, representation, and women's roles in the history of Chinese literature are among the topics that will be covered. Knowledge of Chinese is not required. The class will be conducted in English, and all readings will be in English translation. Note: This course is cross-listed with Chinese 3031 and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies 3031. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3031, CHI 3031, or GSWS 3031.

Course Attributes: SI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3040. Special Topics IV. 4 Credit Hours.

Arranged each semester, please consult with the instructor or the Asian Studies web site (http://www.temple.edu/asian_studies/) for a detailed description.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 3052. Environmental Problems in Asia. 3 Credit Hours.

Japan is used as an introduction and model for examining environmental issues in several east and southeast Asian countries. Emphasis is on deforestation, river basin development, urban planning, ecotourism, and role of non-governmental organizations. Note: This course is cross-listed with Geography and Urban Studies 3052 and Environmental Studies 3052. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3052, ENST 3052, or GUS 3052.

Course Attributes: SE, SF, SP, SS

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3076. Metropolitan Tokyo. 3 Credit Hours.

The growth and development of Tokyo, past and present. The course includes a profile of the city's many neighborhoods, economic activities, architecture, and challenges for urban planners.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3082. Independent Study. 1 to 4 Credit Hour.

Directed reading and/or research on an Asian Studies topic. Required: A faculty supervisor, good study skills, and the ability to work independently.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 3101. Yoga and Tantric Mysticism. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores Yoga as well as Tantric Mysticism in India and South Asia. Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 3101. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3101 or REL 3101.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3201. I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen. 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers selected topics in the history of Taoist ideas and religious practice, which have broadly influenced China for two and a half millennia. Discussion topics include: symbols and divination; the philosophy of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu; the interaction between Taoism and Ch'an/Zen Buddhism; the Taoist/Ch'an influence on the Chinese literary tradition and ideals of beauty; the Taoist view on ch'i energy, meditation, sexuality, and the good life; and Taoism/Zen in America today. Note: This course is cross-listed with Religion 3201. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3201 or REL 3201.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3247. Ideology and Social Change in Japan. 3 Credit Hours.

A sociological look at the conditions that have contributed to Japan's emergence as a world-class economic force. How do culture, social organization, life style, ideology, and global political change to affect Japan's rapid rise to power? Is Japan a closed society? What significance do factors such as racism, religion, education, family, the military, class, and population changes hold for understanding what happened in Japan and in Japan's relations with outsiders, particularly the U.S.? How does this analysis affect the future of American sociology? Duplicate credit warning: This course is regularly cross-listed with SOC 3247. Students may receive credit for only one course from: ASST 3247, ASST 3947, SOC 3247, or SOC 3947.

Course Attributes: SI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3251. China: State and Society. 3 Credit Hours.

Contemporary Chinese government and politics, together with a survey of the political history of China in the 20th century. Emphasis is on the evolution of the political system and political culture through successive periods of reform and repression. Note: Prior to fall 2010, the course title was "China: Politics and Revolution." This course is typically cross-listed with POLS 3251. Students may only earn credit for one course from ASST 3251 and POLS 3251.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3252. East Asia and the United States. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces Japan and its distinctive model of political economy. The course then reviews how this model has been copied by many other countries in Asia. The course also includes an analysis of Asia's international economic and political relations, especially with the United States. This course is typically cross-listed with POLS 3252. Students may only earn credit for one course from ASST 3252 and POLS 3252.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3301. Japanese Religions. 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to Japanese religions, their origins, and development in the social, cultural and intellectual history of Japan. Religions covered are: Shinto, Japanese Buddhism, folk religions, Japanese Confucianism, and the New Religions. Some attention to expression of Japanese spirituality in the fine arts, martial arts, festivals, and rituals.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3302. Japanese Buddhism. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to classical thinkers of Japanese Buddhism: Kukai, Dogen, Shinran, Nichiran, Hakuin. Schools covered are: Shingon, Pure Land, Soto Zen, Rinzai Zen, Nichiren. Note: This course is equivalent to REL 3302; students will receive credit only once for either ASST 3302 or REL 3302.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3522. Contemporary China. 3 Credit Hours.

The rise of nationalism, social-cultural changes, and revolutions since the late 19th century. Developments after 1949 in detail. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 3522. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 3522 or HIST 3522.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3541. Japan Today. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines significant social, economic, and cultural trends in Japan from 1945 to the 1990s-the Occupation; the 'economic miracle,' state and society; the world of work; family, women and gender; international relations; impact of affluence; post-bubble Japan; and varying approaches to the study of postwar Japanese history and society. NOTE: Usually offered alternate years on Main Campus. Note: Students will receive credit only once for either ASST 3541 or HIST 3541.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3542. Women and Society in Japan. 3 Credit Hours.

This course analyzes the changing position of women in Japanese society from ancient times to the present. Through discussions, lectures, and audiovisual materials, students learn about goddesses, female diviners, empresses, the classical female writers, women in warrior culture, women in industrializing Japan, and Japanese women's movements. NOTE: Students will receive credit only once for either ASST 3542, ASST 3942, HIST 3542, or GSWS 3542.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3606. Asian Women in Transition. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces and compares the experiences of women in Asia and Asian women in migration to the United States in the modern period, including rural and urban women, and ordinary and elite women in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Topics include women in households, women and work, and women's activism. Duplicate credit warning: Students may only receive credit for one of the following: ASST 3696, HIST 3696, GSWS 4696, HIST 3606, or GSWS 3606.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3636. Asian Women in Transition. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces and compares the experiences of women in Asia and Asian women in migration to the United States in the modern period, including rural and urban women, and ordinary and elite women in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Topics include women in households, women and work, and women's activism.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 3900. Honors Topics in Asian Studies II. 3 Credit Hours.

Provides a cross listing for honors courses in other departments when they have substantial Asian Studies content. Also used for directed readings and new courses.

Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.

Course Attributes: HO

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ASST 4096. Seminar in Asian Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

In this capstone writing course you will do independent research on Asia. You'll deepen your skills in choosing bibliographic tools, in finding and evaluating authoritative sources, including primary materials translated from Asian languages, and organizing and properly formatting a research paper. In consultation with the instructor, you'll choose a topic to meet your interests and professional needs. Required for majors; good to take in junior year. NOTE: Required for the Asian Studies major.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 4624. Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society. 3 Credit Hours.

Was early modern Japan (1600-1867) static or dynamic? Do the roots of Japan's modern achievements (1868-1945) lie in her early modern culture? What happened to Japan after the 1868 Meiji Restoration, and why? Was modernity a blessing or a curse? We'll find answers to questions like these as we survey Japanese society, culture, and events and trends at home and abroad from the Tokugawa shogunate to the Pacific War. Assignments focus on writing a comparative review.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ASST 4696. Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society. 3 Credit Hours.

Was early modern Japan (1600-1867) static or dynamic? Do the roots of Japan's modern achievements (1868-1945) lie in her early modern culture? What happened to Japan after the 1868 Meiji Restoration, and why? Was modernity a blessing or a curse? We'll find answers to questions like these as we survey Japanese society, culture, and events and trends at home and abroad from the Tokugawa shogunate to the Pacific War. Assignments focus on writing a comparative review. Note: This course is cross-listed with History 4697. Students may only receive credit once for these courses: ASST 4696 or HIST 4697.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.