ASIAN-214 Philosophical Foundations of Chinese Thought: the Ancient Period

Spring. Credits: 4

An introduction to Chinese thought during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (roughly 770-256 BCE), a time of remarkable philosophical growth and controversy. We read the works of this era's most influential philosophers, including: Kongzi (Confucius), Mozi, Laozi, Mengzi (Mencius), Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi. Topics discussed include: What makes for a just ruler? What kind of life should we live? What is our relationship to nature? We work to understand each philosopher's responses to these questions, but we also learn to develop our own answers. We take care to place these figures and their works in their historical and cultural context.

Crosslisted as: PHIL-212
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Writing-Intensive
J. Harold

ASIAN-215 Androgyny and Gender Negotiation in Contemporary Chinese Women's Theater

Fall. Credits: 4

Yue Opera, an all-female art that flourished in Shanghai in 1923, resulted from China's social changes and the women's movement. Combining traditional with modern forms and Chinese with Western cultures, Yue Opera today attracts loyal and enthusiastic audiences despite pop arts crazes. We will focus on how audiences, particularly women, are fascinated by gender renegotiations as well as by the all-female cast. The class will read and watch classics of this theater, including Romance of the Western Bower, Peony Pavilion, and Butterfly Lovers. Students will also learn the basics of traditional Chinese opera.

Crosslisted as: GNDST-204CW, FMT-230CW
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Y. Wang
Notes: Taught in English

ASIAN-247 Chinese Women Writers in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

In the last hundred years, China witnessed the emergence of many talented Chinese women writers. Not only did they take part in every stage of important socio-political changes in modern and contemporary China, they were and still are the avant-garde of literary reform and innovation. Many of their works, in particular, take gender and gender ideology/politics at issue, while deviating from the traditional discourse that marginalized or trivialized women, exploring creative and effective ways of literary dialogue and imagination. This course will cover women writers from both modern (1911-1949) and contemporary (1949-present) times. Some of the representative women writers include: Ding Ling, Xiao Hong, Zhang Ailing, Zong Pu, Yang Jiang, Wang Anyi, Tie Ning, etc.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Y. Wang
Notes: Taught in English. This class may be especially suitable for students who do not identify as native speakers of English.

ASIAN-340 Love, Gender-Crossing, and Women's Supremacy: A Reading of The Story of the Stone

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

A seminar on the eighteenth-century Chinese masterpiece The Story of the Stone and selected literary criticism in response to this work. Discussions will focus on love, gender-crossing, and women's supremacy and the paradoxical treatments of these themes in the novel. We will explore multiple aspects of these themes, including the sociological, philosophical, and literary milieus of eighteenth-century China. We will also examine this novel in its relation to Chinese literary tradition in general and the generic conventions of pre-modern Chinese vernacular fiction in particular.

Crosslisted as: GNDST-333HH
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
Y. Wang
Prereq: 8 credits in Asian Studies or Gender Studies.
Advisory: Intended for East Asian Studies majors and Asian Studies minors.
Notes: Taught in English.

ASIAN-362 Political Anthropology of the Middle East

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This seminar focuses on anthropological studies of how power - both in its open and hidden forms - manifests itself and shapes everyday life in the contemporary Middle East. It explores how authority is established and contested in various domains including bureaucracy and the state; sexuality and the family; religion and civil society; markets and the media. We will trace how experiences of colonization, imperialism, modernization, nationalism, capitalism, occupation, war and revolt mold the conditions of living for peoples of the Middle East. We will also examine how specific forms of knowledge production attribute coherence to the region, allowing its imagination as an object of intervention in the name of development and security.

Crosslisted as: ANTHR-316ME
Applies to requirement(s): Social Sciences; Multicultural Perspectives
E. Babül
Prereq: 8 Credits in Anthropology.

ASIAN-110 First Year Chinese I

Fall. Credits: 4

ASIAN-110 is the first semester of the first-year Chinese course. This course is intended for students with no or very little prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. Points of focus include pronunciation and tones, basic syntax, high-frequency vocabulary words, conversational flow, and an introduction to reading and writing Chinese characters. Relevant cultural knowledge and activities will be incorporated into the curriculum. The class will initially be conducted in both English and Chinese, with the proportion of Chinese steadily increasing over the first two months, after which the great majority of instruction will be in Chinese. Learning is supplemented by online learning resources, out-of-class language partner sessions, Language and Culture Commons Question and Answer sessions and the Chinese Language Table.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao, L. Xu
Advisory: Students with previous or equivalent language study should contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-111 First Year Chinese II

Spring. Credits: 4

ASIAN-111 continues ASIAN-110 First Year Chinese I, with an introduction to Mandarin Chinese and the development of oral proficiency as well as gradual acquisition of reading and writing skills. Learning is supplemented by online learning resources, out-of-class language partner sessions, Language and Culture Commons Question and Answer sessions and the Chinese Language Table.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao, L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-110 or equivalent.
Advisory: Students with previous or equivalent language study should contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-120 First Year Japanese I

Fall. Credits: 6

Introduces listening, speaking, reading, and writing modern Japanese; hiragana, katakana, and approximately 50 Kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Chang, N. Nemoto
Restrictions: This course is limited to first-years, sophomores, and juniors
Coreq: ASIAN-120L.
Advisory: Only first-year, sophomores, and juniors may pre-register; if space is available, seniors may be able to register during Add/Drop; students with previous training in Japanese should contact Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-121 First Year Japanese II

Spring. Credits: 6

This continues Asian Studies 120, First Year Japanese I. Introduces listening, speaking, reading, and writing modern Japanese; hiragana, katakana, and approximately 150 Kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Chang, N. Nemoto
Prereq: ASIAN-120 or equivalent. Coreq: ASIAN-121L.
Advisory: Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should contact Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu)

ASIAN-130 First Year Arabic I

Fall. Credits: 4

This course introduces the basics of Modern Standard Arabic and one dialect. It begins with a study of the Arabic script and sounds using the Alif Baa textbook, and then students will use Al-Kitaab I, 3rd edition (chapters 1-5). Students will acquire vocabulary and usage for everyday interactions in Arabic. In addition to the traditional textbook exercises, students will write short paragraphs, and participate in role plays and conversations.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Weinert
Advisory: Students with previous language study should contact May George (mgeorge@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-131 First Year Arabic II

Spring. Credits: 4

This second half of the year-long course continues to introduce the basics of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It covers vocabulary for everyday use and essential communicative skills with regard to real-life and task-oriented situations. Students will concentrate on speaking and listening skills, as well as on learning the various forms of verbs, roots/patterns, and sentence structures. Students are expected to participate in various curricular tasks (e.g., role-plays, discussions) and extracurricular activities (e.g., cooking nights, movie nights, language tables) to dig into some cultural aspects. Students will also engage in conversations which introduce them to dialects to be able to authentically use the language.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
M. George
Prereq: ASIAN-130 or equivalent.

ASIAN-160 First Year Korean I

Fall. Credits: 4

First Year Korean I is the first half of elementary Korean. It is designed to provide students who have little or no knowledge of Korean with basic proficiency in Korean speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. The course will cover the foundations of Korean vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation and how these can be used in context.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Lee
Restrictions: This course is limited to first-years, sophomores, and juniors
Advisory: Students with previous training in Korean should contact Kyae-Sung Park (kspark@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.
Notes: Only first-years, sophomores, and juniors may pre-register; if there are any remaining seats, seniors will be able to register during Add/Drop.

ASIAN-161 First Year Korean II

Spring. Credits: 4

First Year Korean II is the second half of elementary Korean. It is designed to consolidate and solidify the language skills acquired in First Year Korean I and to continue developing students' proficiency in Korean speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. The course will continue to cover the foundations of Korean vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation and how these can be used in context. Students will also develop their ability to communicate about topics related to everyday events and situations.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
K. Park
Prereq: ASIAN-160 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Kyae-Sung Park (kspark@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-212 Second Year Chinese I

Fall. Credits: 4

ASIAN-212 is the first semester of the second-year Chinese course. This course will consolidate and expand students' competencies in the four fundamental areas of language learning--speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will improve their oral fluency, study more complex grammatical structures, and enlarge their vocabulary. Emphasis on facilitating daily-life interactions will be supplemented and expanded by increasing discussion of broader issues in society. Students will develop a deeper and broader understanding of relevant aspects of Chinese culture. This course is conducted mostly in Chinese. Learning is supplemented by online learning resources, out-of-class language partner sessions, Language and Culture Commons Question and Answer sessions and the Chinese Language Table.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao, L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-111 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-213 Second Year Chinese II

Spring. Credits: 4

ASIAN-213 continues ASIAN-212 Second Year Chinese I. A continuing emphasis on facility in daily life interactions will be supplemented and expanded by increasing discussion of broader issues in society, including education, employment, etc.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao, S. Kao
Prereq: ASIAN-212 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-222 Second Year Japanese I

Fall. Credits: 4

ASIAN-222 is the third-semester course in Japanese for those who have taken ASIAN-121 or have equivalent preparation in Japanese. Includes approximately 250 kanji. Students in this course learn to listen and comprehend conversations about more sophisticated topics they would encounter in daily life in Japan, such as conducting conversations in a hospital, expressing their plans and intentions, asking a favor, asking for and listening to navigation directions, and giving and receiving gifts. They learn how to interact with Japanese people in such situations with appropriate cultural manners in preparation for any potential stay in Japan such as for study abroad or an internship.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Chang
Prereq: ASIAN-121 or equivalent.
Advisory: Asian Studies 121 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-223 Second Year Japanese II

Spring. Credits: 4

ASIAN-223 is the fourth semester course in Japanese for those who have taken ASIAN-222 or have equivalent preparation in Japanese. Students in this course are taught to be able to explain procedures, ask and express opinions, understand and express complaints and apologies, while learning grammatical constructions such as passive, causative, causative-passive and different levels of politeness.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
J. Chang
Prereq: ASIAN-222 or equivalent.
Advisory: Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-232 Second Year Arabic I

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This course is the continuation of ASIAN-131, First Year Arabic II. Students will further their knowledge of Arabic, focusing on the four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students should expect text assignments as well as work with DVDs, audio, and websites. Exercises include writing, social interactions, role plays, and the interplay of language and culture. Students will use Al Kitaab, Book 2 (3rd edition), completing Chapter 4 by the end of the semester.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
The department
Prereq: ASIAN-131.
Advisory: Asian Studies 131 or equivalent. Contact Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-233 Second Year Arabic II

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This course is the continuation of ASIAN-232, Second Year Arabic I. Students will further their knowledge of Arabic, focusing on the four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students should expect text assignments as well as work with DVDs, audio, and websites. Exercises include writing, social interactions, role plays, and the interplay of language and culture. Students will continue using Georgetown Textbook Al Kitaab, Book 2, 3rd edition.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
The department
Prereq: ASIAN-232 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-262 Second Year Korean I

Fall. Credits: 4

Second Year Korean I is the first half of intermediate Korean. It is designed to provide students with intermediate proficiency in Korean speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. The course will strengthen students' communicative skills on familiar topics related to everyday events and situations. Students will also develop discourse/pragmatic competence in various social contexts of communication.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
M. Kang
Prereq: ASIAN-161 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Kyae-Sung Park for placement.

ASIAN-263 Second Year Korean II

Spring. Credits: 4

This course is the second half of intermediate Korean. It is designed to consolidate and solidify the language skills acquired in ASIAN-262, Second Year Korean I, and to continue developing proficiency in Korean speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
K. Park
Prereq: ASIAN-262 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Kyae-Sung Park (kspark@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-310 Third Year Chinese I

Fall. Credits: 4

This course helps students to build linguistic and communicative competence in Mandarin Chinese through reading, discussing, and writing about authentic texts. Newspapers, essays, and short stories will be the teaching materials for the course. An interactive approach will be incorporated into the curriculum to improve students' conversational skills. The class will be conducted mostly in Chinese, and class hours will be supplemented by individual work in the Language Resource Center.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao
Prereq: ASIAN-213 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-311 Third Year Chinese II

Spring. Credits: 4

This course continues Asian Studies 310, Third Year Chinese I, in helping students build linguistic and communicative competence in Mandarin Chinese through reading, discussing, and writing about authentic texts. Newspapers, essays, and short stories will be the teaching materials for the course. An interactive approach will be incorporated into the curriculum to improve students' conversational skills. The class will be conducted mostly in Chinese, and class hours will be supplemented by individual work in the Language Resource Center.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
A. Kao
Prereq: ASIAN-310 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-312 Newspaper Reading and Journalistic Practice in China

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This course advances students' Chinese reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills by studying journalistic reports on the most pressing issues in China and the U.S. It also introduces the formal expressions, writing styles, and terminology commonly used in Chinese media. In addition, the course intends to help familiarize students with various media channels and agencies, understand the challenges of journalistic practice in the internet age, and enhance students' critical thinking and analytical stills by broadening their perspective and comparing Chinese and English media sources. Conducted mainly in Chinese with the addition of relevant English materials.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-311 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-314 Learning Chinese Through Film

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This course advances students' Chinese reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills by studying contemporary Chinese films. The selected movies are mostly lighthearted comedies on youth, love, and aspirations, with discussions on relationships, immigration, elder care, education, and social justice. The class will watch the films and use the synopses and selected dialogues from the scripts as reading materials to facilitate linguistic and cultural learning. Students will also watch several prize winners/nominees by internationally acclaimed Chinese directors such as Yimou Zhang, Zhangke Jia, Kar-wai Wong, Xiaogang Feng, and Kaige Chen in the "Chinese Movie Night" activity. The class will be conducted mainly in Chinese.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-311 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.

ASIAN-315 Business Culture and Communication in China

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

An advanced speaking- and writing-intensive Chinese course focusing on Chinese business communication and culture. Will further improve students' Chinese proficiency and oral communication by using Chinese as a tool to investigate topics in business and business culture in China. As well as the textbook, the course will make use of a variety of supplementary materials, including some in English. Through lectures and other activities, students will gain experience and comfort in reading and discussing business news, producing analytic and technical forms of business writing, translating business-related documents, and other skills for future work in China.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-311 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
Notes: Taught entirely in Chinese.

ASIAN-317 Chinese Society and Culture: Reflections In Literature and Media

Spring. Credits: 4

This course aims to enhance students' Chinese language proficiency and deepen their cultural understanding through the study of media, essays, and short stories. It focuses on exploring traditional Chinese culture, societal transformations, and contemporary issues. The primary objective is to improve students' advanced communication skills, particularly in reading and comprehending news reports and literary works in Chinese. Additionally, the course encourages students to analyze current issues with a broader perspective and a more nuanced outlook.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-311.

ASIAN-318 Business and Intercultural Communication In Chinese Society

Fall. Credits: 4

This advanced Chinese course prioritizes spoken and written proficiency while emphasizing cultural competence. It delves into prevalent behavioral and discourse patterns observed in everyday conversations and business interactions. The curriculum places these linguistic aspects within the broader context of Chinese philosophy, values, and societal structures. The primary goal is to enhance oral, written, and intercultural communication skills, particularly in business, study abroad, and work-abroad settings. In addition to the core textbook, the course integrates a diverse range of supplementary materials, some of which are presented in English. Through lectures and various activities, students are actively encouraged to critically evaluate and compare Western assumptions with alternative cultural perspectives. Formal and informal discourse materials are employed to develop linguistic competencies in both written and conversational styles. Furthermore, the incorporation of technology tools for interactive video lessons and skit performances enhances the overall learning experience.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-311.

ASIAN-324 Third Year Japanese I

Fall. Credits: 4

This course helps students attain a higher level of proficiency in modern Japanese through the extended use of the language in practical contexts. The class will be conducted mostly in Japanese.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
N. Nemoto
Prereq: ASIAN-223 or equivalent.
Advisory: Asian Studies 223 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-326 Third Year Japanese II

Spring. Credits: 4

This course continues Asian Studies 324, Third Year Japanese I. Emphasizes attaining a higher level of proficiency in modern Japanese through the extended use of the language in practical contexts. The class will be conducted mostly in Japanese.

Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
N. Nemoto
Prereq: ASIAN-324 or equivalent.
Advisory: Asian Studies 324 or equivalent. Students with previous training in Japanese outside of MHC should consult Naoko Nemoto (nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu) for placement.

ASIAN-295 Independent Study

Fall and Spring. Credits: 1 - 4

The department
Instructor permission required.

ASIAN-395 Independent Study

Fall and Spring. Credits: 1 - 8

The department
Instructor permission required.