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COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
ASIAN LANGUAGES & LITERATURE

Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for

ASIAN 200 Introduction to Asian Languages and Literature (5) A&H
Introduces approaches to the study of Asian languages and literature. Topics include theoretical, applied, historical, and comparative linguistics; literary and cultural study; philosophy; languages, and writing systems of Asia; and indigenous Asian approaches to the study of language and literature. Offered: Sp.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 200

ASIAN 201 Literature and Culture of China: Ancient and Classical (5) A&H/SSc
Introduction to ancient and classical Chinese literature in its cultural context. Texts in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 201

ASIAN 202 Literature and Culture of Japan: Traditional Japan (5) A&H/SSc
Introduction to traditional Japanese literature in its cultural context. Texts in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 202

ASIAN 204 Literature and Culture of China from Tradition to Modernity (5) A&H/SSc
Introduction to modern Chinese literature in its cultural context. Texts in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 204

ASIAN 205 Literature and Culture of Japan from Tradition to Modernity (5) A&H/SSc
Introduction to Japanese literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in its cultural context. May also include some Korean literature. Texts in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 205

ASIAN 207 Special Topics in Literature and Culture of Asia (5, max. 10) A&H/SSc
Introduction to the literature of one or more Asian traditions considered in its cultural context. Content varies depending on the specialization and interest of instructor. Texts in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 207

ASIAN 210 Asian War Epics: Working through Many Mahabharatas (5) A&H/SSc
Culturally informed aesthetic analysis, comparisons of different tellings of parallel scenes (both South and Southeast Asian). Includes classical and contemporary retellings, and representation in socio-political discourse, visual arts, musical dance, drama, and in popular media such as film and television. In English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 210

ASIAN 211 Languages and Cultures of China (5) A&H/SSc
Provides a general survey of the languages and language-families in China, emphasizing the rich linguistic diversity found there today. Languages compared with English, from linguistic and cultural perspectives, to demonstrate not only characteristics but also mutual dependence throughout their development.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 211

ASIAN 223 Buddhist Literature (5) A&H/SSc
Introduction to Buddhist literature in India, China, and Japan including biographies, poetry, narratives, ritual manuals, doctrinal treatises, and historical accounts. Attention also given to issues of textual composition, transmission, authorship, audience, context, and function. Taught in English. Offered: W.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 223

ASIAN 263 Great Works of Asian Literature (5) A&H
Selected major works of Asian literature. Taught on a rotational basis with the literary traditions of China, Japan, India covered in successive years. Content varies depending on specialization and interest of instructor. Primary emphasis on literary values of works and their tradition; attention also given to historical and social contexts and the thought and value systems of the culture involved.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 263

ASIAN 301 Songs of the Saints of India (5) A&H/SSc
India's wisdom through popular songs of its saints of the devotional tradition. Texts as significant in contemporary religion and politics, whether protesting existing hierarchies of caste and gender, or confirming the status quo. Readings in English translation.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 301

ASIAN 401 Introduction to Asian Linguistics (5) A&H
Linguistic analysis, with emphasis on languages of East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia. Includes phonetics, phonemics, morphology, syntax, historical reconstruction, linguistic typology, comparative grammar. Survey of major languages and language families of Asia. Diverse Asian languages as subjects of linguistic analysis. Prior knowledge of linguistics not required.
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ASIAN 404 Writing Systems (5) A&H
Comprehensive theoretical and historical overview of written language worldwide. Includes origins and early development of writing in the Near East, Asia, and the Americas; relationships between spoken and written languages; types and characteristic of writing systems (logographics, syllabic, and alphabetic); and methods used for decipherment of ancient languages. Offered: W.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 404

ASIAN 405 Advanced Problems in Asian Linguistics (3) A&H
Advanced problems in the analysis of the languages of East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia. Includes phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicography, historical reconstruction, linguistic typology, and comparative grammar. Prerequisite: ASIAN 401.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 405

ASIAN 491 Internship in Teaching Asian Languages and Cultures (1-2, max. 5)
Teaching internship in a language course (undergrad or grad students are eligible) or a disciplinary course (graduate students only), as arranged with the supervising instructor. Faculty permission required. 3 hr/week internship earns 1 credit, 6 hr/week internship earns 2 credits. Credit/no-credit only. Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 491

ASIAN 494 Ramayana in Comparative Perspective (5) A&H, DIV
Examines and compares different versions (mainly South Asian) of the Ramayana, including the widely popular television version. Focuses on some famous and controversial passages, with special attention to gender issues. Incorporates background readings from the most recent research. Offered: jointly with JSIS A 461.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 494

ASIAN 498 Special Topics (1-5, max. 15) A&H
Offered occasionally by permanent or visiting faculty members. Topics vary. Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 498

ASIAN 503 Seminar in Asian Linguistics (1-5, max. 15)
Topics vary. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: AWSp.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 503

ASIAN 510 Teaching Asian Languages (5)
Methodology for teaching modern foreign languages, focusing on languages taught by teaching assistants in the department. Eclectic and practical overview for current and potential TAs. Consideration of broader issues involved in language program management. Strong hands-on component, including observation, teaching, materials development, and portfolio development for job seekers. Prerequisite: proficiency in an Asian language Credit/no-credit only. Offered: A.
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ASIAN 541 Seminar in Asian Textual and Digital Cultures (5)
Topics may differ with each offering but will include aspects of textual and digital production in Asian cultures.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 541

ASIAN 580 Seminar in Hinduism Studies (5)
Introduction to the academic study of Hinduism for graduate students. Examines major problems currently addressed in the academic study of Hinduism and the methods used. Provides a historical perspective on past scholarship. Offered: jointly with RELIG 580.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 580

ASIAN 585 Seminar in Buddhism (2/5)
Systems and history of Buddhist thought. Original and secondary sources are used. Combines the methods of specialists in south, central, and east Asian Buddhism with those of historians of religion and philosophy. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: AWSp.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 585

ASIAN 590 Seminar in Translation Studies (5, max. 15)
Seminar study of topics in translation studies and Asian literatures/cultures.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 590

ASIAN 600 Independent Study or Research (*-)
Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 600

ASIAN 700 Master's Thesis (*-)
Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 700

ASIAN 800 Doctoral Dissertation (*-)
Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: ASIAN 800