Interdisciplinary Programs

Asian Studies Minor

Courses Offered

Electives: Students will take a total of 16 elective course credits. Not more than 8 credits may be taken at the 100-level and at least 4 credits must be taken at the 300 level. No more than four credits of language may be counted toward an elective. At least 12 credits must be taken from the following courses exclusively on Asia:

Degree Requirements

Courses Offered

Faculty Profiles

CHNS:101 Beginning Chinese I
Introduces students to short conversations in Standard (Mandarin) Chinese while laying foundations for further studies of the language. Includes standard pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and writing simple statements. Explores the systems of language and culture of the Chinese people. 4 SH. (Core: Intellectual Skills, Foreign Language)

CHNS:102 Beginning Chinese II
Introduces students to short conversations in Standard (Mandarin) Chinese while laying foundations for further studies of the language. Includes standard pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and writing simple statements. Explores the systems of language and culture of the Chinese people. 4 SH. (Core: Intellectual Skills, Foreign Language)

JP: 101 / 102 Beginning Japanese (taken through Bucknell University)

HIST:151 Traditional East Asia
This course is an introduction to the civilization of East Asia from earliest times to the 19th century. It outlines the foundation of states and socioeconomic patterns as well as the political and cultural developments of traditional China, Japan, and Korea. Special attention is given to the early religious, philosophical, literary and artistic accomplishments of East Asia. The course is to provide students a better understanding of different cultures, to awaken students to world developments, and to encourage cross cultural analysis and appreciation. 4 SH. (Core: Perspectives on the World, History)

HIST:152 Modern East Asia
This is a survey course which introduces the foundation and development of modern East Asia from the 19th century to present. It emphasizes the historical events, the transformation of political and economic institutions, and the social and cultural trends of modern China, Japan and Korea. It intends to compare and contrast the parallel processes of modernization of the three countries. It will deal with the issues of feudalism, imperialism, militarism, warlordism, nationalism, and communism. 4 SH. (Core: Perspectives on the World, History)

ENGL:205 Literature Studies (Topic - Indian Liturature and Film)
Specialized courses surveying a particular theme or topic of literary study and fostering in students the capacity for critical thinking. Texts are chosen according to the interest and expertise of instructors. Recent examples are Wilderness Literature, Beat Literature, and Travel Literature. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or second-semester freshmen who have completed successfully the Writing and Thinking course. 4 SH. (Core: Perspectives on the World, Literature)

HIST:258 Modern China
A history of China from the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the People's Republic. The political disintegration and reintegration of Chinese society after the Qing dynasty, through the Republic and the rise of Chinese Communism under Mao and the striving for moderization will be considered. Imperialism, nationalism, revolution, communism, totalitarianism, reform and democracy are issues covered in this course. The impact of these factors on the lives of ordinary Chinese is viewed through films and other artistic expressions. Prerequisite: HIST:152 or permission of the instructor. 4 SH.

RELI:321 Current Religious Issues (Topic - Buddhism)
Advanced studies in religious issues, both personal and social, ethical and theological. 4 SH.

HIST:355 Asia: Family and Gender
An overview of continuities and discontinuities of the family pattern and the gender roles in Asian nations, mainly China and Japan, from the pre-modern time to the present. The course will use historical events and personal stories, scholarly and fictional writings, and films to trace the feminist movements and major developments of gender consciousness, relationships, and the family structure in Asian history. Students will fully explore the way in which class, society, and history create different life possibilities for women and, in turn, how the changing gender relations and family patterns affected society, history, and individuals. Same as WMST:355. 4 SH.

ENGL:365 Studies in Literature and Gender (Topic - Asian Women's Literature)
Courses exploring such topics as women in literature, literature by women, literature and sexuality, the construction of gender in literature and feminist literary theory. Same as WMST:365. 2-4 SH.

Comparative Courses: Minors may also take four semester hours from the following selection of courses

POLI:121 Comparative Government and Politics
Surveys the political systems, ideologies and socio-economic policies and issues in various countries and regions of the world. 4 SH. (Core: Perspectives on the World, Society and the Individual)

ENGL:205 Literature Studies (Topic - Asian-American Literature)
Specialized courses surveying a particular theme or topic of literary study and fostering in students the capacity for critical thinking. Texts are chosen according to the interest and expertise of instructors.

RELI:321 Current Religious Issues (Topic - Asian Christianity)
Advanced studies in religious issues, both personal and social, ethical and theological. 4 SH.

ENGL:355 Anglophone Writers (Topic - Postcolonial Literature)
A study of literature written originally in English by writers from countries other than the United States and Britain. The course may include writers from Canada, Ireland, the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean and English-speaking countries in Africa. 4 SH.

HIST:339 America's Wars in Asia
Focuses on three major wars the Americans fought in Asia in the last century: the Pacific War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The course will examine the causes and the consequences of these wars within broader domestic, international, cultural, and historic contexts. It will carefully investigate the imprint the wars left on the peoples of the United States and Asia and will explore the human and cultural dimensions of the wars as an experience. Students will be introduced not only to American but also to Asian views of these wars, which are in conflict. Students are expected and strongly encouraged to challenge the existing views and interpretations of the events. 4 SH