Asian Studies
Sohail Hashmi, Chair
Denise Falk, Academic Department Coordinator
112 Ciruti Center
413-538-2885
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/asian
Overview and Contact Information
One of four interdisciplinary majors offered within the Asian Studies Program, the Asian studies (transregional) major allows students to study the diversity of Asia in a comparative framework. Complementing course work at Mount Holyoke are extracurricular activities and study abroad programs that broaden and deepen students’ understanding of Asia.
Language study is the core component of the major. We offer four levels of instruction in Chinese, two in Japanese, up to three in Arabic, and up to two in Korean. Our students are expected to incorporate the humanities and the social sciences fully into their studies with classes at Mount Holyoke and the other colleges in the Five College Consortium.
On campus, our students experience regional culture at many levels, including language tables and clubs, guest lectures, performing and visual arts, film, festivals, and regional cuisine. These activities are often initiated by and benefit greatly from the diverse student population of Mount Holyoke and particularly the large numbers of students from Asian countries or with an Asian background.
Most of our students spend a semester or a summer in study abroad programs. Mount Holyoke College has affiliated programs or exchanges in China at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, in Beijing in cooperation with the China Studies Institute of Peking University (summer), and University of Hong Kong, China; in Japan at the Associated Kyoto Program (year) and the Japan Women’s University; and in South Korea at the Ewha Womans University and the Sookmyung Women’s University. Students may also participate in one of the many Mount Holyoke College-approved Middle Eastern or South Asian study abroad programs.
Asian studies majors and minors graduate to pursue careers in fields as varied as education, business, NGOs, journalism, the arts, government service, and graduate study.
See Also
Faculty
This area of study is administered by the Asian Studies Committee:
Satyananda Gabriel, Professor of Economics
Rie Hachiyanagi, Professor of Art
Sohail Hashmi, Professor of International Relations on the Alumnae Foundation and Professor of Politics
Kavita Khory, Professor of Politics
Susanne Mrozik, Professor of Religion
Naoko Nemoto, Professor of Asian Studies, Teaching Spring Only
Joshua Roth, Professor of Anthropology
Ajay Sinha, Professor of Art History
Ying Wang, Felicia Gressitt Bock Professor of Asian Studies
Calvin Chen, Associate Professor of Politics
Amina Steinfels, Associate Professor of Religion
Elif Babul, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Lan Wu, Assistant Professor of History
Lisha Xu, Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies
Heba Arafah, Five College Lecturer in Arabic, On Leave 2017-2018
Kyae-Sung Park, Five College Lecturer in Korean
Lei Yan, Lecturer in Chinese
Richard Chu, Five College Associate Professor of History
Mohamed Hassan, Five College Senior Lecturer in Arabic
Suk Massey, Five College Lecturer in Korean
Chihiro Hanami, Visiting Instructor in Japanese
Syonara Tomoum, Five College Visiting Instructor in Arabic
Alice Kao, Visiting Lecturer in Asian Studies
Requirements for the Major
A minimum of 40 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Language | ||
| Four courses (16 credits), equivalent to two years of college-level study of an Asian language 1 | 16 | |
| Introductory Courses | ||
| HIST-137 | Modern East Asia, 1600-2000 | 4 |
| HIST-124 | History of Modern South Asia, 1700 to the Present | 4 |
| HIST-111 | The Making of the Modern Middle East | 4 |
| or IR-211 | Middle East Politics | |
| Non-language Courses | ||
| Three non-language courses (12 credits) at the 300 level, including courses on at least two of the three regions covered by Asian Studies: East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East 2 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 | Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are offered at Mount Holyoke, and other Asian languages are available through the Five Colleges. No more than four (4) credits taken through the Five College Mentored Language Program may be counted toward the major |
| 2 | A course that is taught outside of Mount Holyoke must be approved by the chair of the Asian Studies Program to count as a 300-level course |
Additional Specifications
- Any course that devotes 50 percent or more of its substance to Asian countries, peoples, or issues may count toward the major.
- One course (4 credits) on Asian diasporas in any discipline may count toward the major.
Requirements for the Minor
A minimum of 16 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 12 credits of approved Asian studies courses (including all courses that count toward the Asian studies major or minor) at the 200 level or higher, only 8 of which can be in language | 12 | |
| At least 4 credits in approved Asian studies courses at the 300 level. | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Additional Specifications
ASIAN Course Offerings
Asian Culture
ASIAN-107 Arts of Asia
Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4
This multicultural course introduces students to the visual arts of Asia from the earliest times to the present. In a writing- and speaking-intensive environment, students will develop skills in visual analysis and art historical interpretation. Illustrated class lectures, group discussions, museum visits, and a variety of writing exercises will allow students to explore architecture, sculpture, painting, and other artifacts in relation to the history and culture of such diverse countries as India, China, Cambodia, Korea, and Japan.
Crosslisted as: ARTH-105
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
A. Sinha
ASIAN-214 Philosophical Foundations of Chinese Thought: The Classical Period
Spring. Credits: 4
An introduction to Chinese thought in the Classical period (~500-221 BCE), a time of great social and political furor. We will study (in translation) the works of Kongzi (Confucius), Mozi, Zhaungzi, Mengzi (Mencius), Han Feizi, and others, with an eye to the contemporary relevance of ancient Chinese thought. We will ask such questions as: What kind of life should one live? What is the source of political authority? What is human nature? We will work to understand each philosopher's answers to these questions, and develop our own views in response. We will take care to put these figures and their works in their historical and cultural context.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Writing-Intensive
M. Wells
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, THEAT-234CW
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Y. Wang
Notes: Taught in English
ASIAN-247 Chinese Women Writers in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Spring. 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-248 Contemporary Chinese Fiction: From 1949 to the Present
Spring. Credits: 4
A study of representative Chinese fictional writings from 1949 to the present focusing on the ways in which issues of individual and national identity, modernity, and gender have been probed and represented by different generations of Chinese writers. A particular emphasis will be placed on the novels and short stories published since the 1980s, in which both traditional ideology and literary styles are seriously questioned and challenged. Readings include works by Nobel Prize winners Gao Xingjian, Mo Yan and other famous writers, such as Zhang Xianliang, Zhang Jie, Wang Anyi, Yu Hua, Su Tong, Han Shaogong,etc.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Y. Wang
ASIAN-270 Arts of Japan
Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4
This course explores the special characteristics of Japanese art and architecture, from the early asymmetry of Jomon pottery and the abstraction of Haniwa figures to the later elite arts of the aristocratic, military, and merchant classes: narrative scroll painting, gold-ground screens, and the "floating world" of the color woodblock print. A historical survey of the arts of Japan, highlighting the interplay of art with religious and political issues.
Crosslisted as: ARTH-262
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
A. Sinha
Restrictions: Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors
ASIAN-271 Arts of Islam: Book, Mosque, and Palace
Fall. Credits: 4
Through investigation of major works produced in the Muslim world between the seventh and seventeenth centuries from Spain to India, this course explores the ways in which art and architecture were used to embody the faith, accommodate its particular needs, and express the power of its rulers. Topics include the calligraphy of the Qur'an, illustrated literature, the architecture of the mosque, and the aristocratic palace.
Crosslisted as: ARTH-271
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
M. Davis
Restrictions: Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors
ASIAN-331 Asian History
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.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Multicultural Perspectives
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
Y. Wang
Advisory: Intended for East Asian Studies majors and Asian Studies minors.
ASIAN-360 Topics in Asian Art
ASIAN-360BC Topics in Asian Art: 'Bollywood: 'A Cinema of Interruptions'
Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4
How are we to respond to Indian popular film, which is notorious for its distracting song and dance numbers, meandering story line, and visually overblown spectacles? This seminar will develop historical and theoretical approaches to Indian films as what scholar Lalitha Gopalan calls a 'constellation of interruptions.' Students will examine feature films in class, write critical papers on scholarly essays, and pursue independent research projects on various aspects of Indian film.
Crosslisted as: ARTH-360BC, FLMST-370BC
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities
A. Sinha
Restrictions: This course is open to Juniors and Seniors.
Prereq: 8 credits from Art History or Film Studies.
Asian Languages
ASIAN-110 First Year Chinese I
Fall. Credits: 6
This is an intensive course with emphasizing the rapid development of listening and speaking ability and intended for students with no 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. Supplements class work with lab.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
L. Yan
Coreq: ASIAN-110L.
Advisory: Students with previous or equivalent language study should contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
Notes: students with previous language study should contact Ms Yan for placement; students must enroll in a lab section
ASIAN-111 First Year Chinese II
Spring. Credits: 6
This course continues Asian Studies 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. Supplements class work with lab.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
L. Yan
Prereq: ASIAN-110 or equivalent. Coreq: ASIAN-111L.
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 150 Kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
C. Hanami
Restrictions: This course is limited to First-year and Sophomore students.
Coreq: ASIAN-120L.
Advisory: Only first-year and sophomore students may pre-register; if space is available, juniors and seniors may be able to register during Add/Drop; students with previous training in Japanese should contact Naoko Nemoto for placement.
Notes: students must enroll in a lab section
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
C. Hanami
Prereq: ASIAN-120. Coreq: ASIAN-121L.
Advisory: Students with previous training in Japanese should contact Ms. Nemoto for placement
ASIAN-130 First Year Arabic I
Fall. Credits: 4
The first half of a yearlong course that introduces the basics of Modern Standard Arabic, this course concentrates on all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Beginning with a study of Arabic script and sound, students will complete the Georgetown text Alif Baa and finish Al Kitaab Book 1 by the end of the academic year. Students will acquire vocabulary and usage for everyday interactions as well as skills that will allow them to read and analyze a range of texts. In addition to the traditional textbook exercises, students will write short essays and participate in role plays, debates, and conversations throughout the year.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
S. Tomoum
Restrictions: This course is limited to First-year and Sophomore students.
Advisory: Students with previous language study should contact Mohamed El-Sawi Hassan (Amherst College) for placement.
Notes: no pre-registration for juniors and seniors; if space is available, juniors and seniors may be able to register during Add/Drop.
ASIAN-131 First Year Arabic II
Spring. Credits: 4
The second half of a yearlong course that introduces the basics of Modern Standard Arabic, this course concentrates on all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Beginning with a study of Arabic script and sound, students will complete the Georgetown Textbook "AlKitaab". Book 1, 3rd edition by the end of the academic year. Students will acquire vocabulary and usage for everyday interactions as well as skills that will allow them to read and analyze a range of texts. In addition to the traditional textbook exercises, students will write short essays and participate in role plays, debates, and conversations throughout the year.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
S. Tomoum
Prereq: ASIAN-130 or equivalent.
ASIAN-160 First Year Korean I
Fall. Credits: 4
First Year Korean I is the first half of a two-semester introductory course in spoken and written Korean for students who do not have any previous knowledge of Korean. This course is designed to improve students' communicative competence in daily life, focusing on the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Some of the activities include oral dialogue journals (ODJ), expanding knowledge of vocabulary, conversation in authentic contexts, in-depth study of grammar, listening comprehension, pronunciation practice, mini-presentations, Korean film reviews, and Korean film making.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
K. Park
ASIAN-161 First Year Korean II
Spring. Credits: 4
Beginning Korean II is the second half of a two-semester introductory course in spoken and written Korean for students who have some previous knowledge of Korean. This course is designed to improve students' communicative competence in daily life, focusing on the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Some of the activities include vocabulary-building exercises, conversation in authentic contexts, in-depth study of grammar, listening comprehension and pronunciation practice, mini-presentations, Korean film reviews and Korean film making.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
K. Park
Prereq: ASIAN-160 or equivalent proficiency.
ASIAN-212 Second Year Chinese I
Fall. Credits: 6
This is an intensive course to 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. Supplements class work with lab.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-111 or equivalent. Coreq: ASIAN-212L.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
ASIAN-213 Second Year Chinese II
Spring. Credits: 6
This course continues Asian Studies 212, Second Year Chinese I. There is equal emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, and writing modern Chinese. Class work is supplemented with audio and video and extensive reading materials.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
L. Xu
Prereq: ASIAN-212 or equivalent. Coreq: ASIAN-213L.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
ASIAN-222 Second Year Japanese I
Fall. Credits: 6
This course emphasizes speaking, listening, reading, and writing modern Japanese. Includes approximately 250 kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
C. Hanami
Prereq: ASIAN-121. Coreq: ASIAN-222L.
Advisory: Asian Studies 121 or equivalent (consult Naoko Nemoto for placement)
ASIAN-223 Second Year Japanese II
Spring. Credits: 6
This course continues Asian Studies 222, Second Year Japanese I. Emphasizes speaking, listening, reading, and writing modern Japanese. Includes approximately 250 kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
N. Nemoto
Prereq: ASIAN-222 or equivalent. Coreq: ASIAN-223L.
Advisory: Contact Naoko Nemoto, nnemoto@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
ASIAN-229 Analyzing Japanese: Intro to Linguistics
Spring. Credits: 4
This course introduces basic linguistics methodologies to analyze the Japanese language. These methodologies include phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. We will introduce them by comparing Japanese to English and other languages.
Applies to requirement(s): Meets No Distribution Requirement
N. Nemoto
Prereq: ASIAN-120.
ASIAN-232 Second Year Arabic I
Fall. Credits: 4
Students in this course will continue perfecting 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
S. Tomoum
Prereq: ASIAN-131.
Advisory: Asian Studies 131 or equivalent (contact Mohamed El-Sawi Hassan at Amherst College for placement)
ASIAN-233 Second Year Arabic II
Spring. Credits: 4
Students in this course will continue furthering 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. The prerequisite is Arabic 130-131 or the equivalent.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
S. Tomoum
Prereq: ASIAN-232 or equivalent.
ASIAN-262 Second Year Korean I
Fall. Credits: 4
Intermediate Korean I is the first half of a two-semester intermediate course in spoken and written Korean for students who already have a basic knowledge of Korean. This course is designed to reinforce and increase students' facility with Korean in the four language areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to expand their knowledge and take confidence-inspiring risks through activities such as expanding knowledge of vocabulary, role play in authentic contexts, in-depth study of grammar, mini-presentations, various types of writing, Korean film reviews, skits, and Korean film making.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
S. Massey
Prereq: ASIAN-161 or equivalent level of proficiency.
ASIAN-263 Intermediate Korean II
Spring. Credits: 4
Intermediate Korean II is the second part of a one-year intensive course for students who have already completed the intermediate-level course, Intermediate Korean I, or who have the equivalent language competence in Korean. Designed for students seeking to become bilingual (or multilingual), this course provides numerous and varied opportunities to develop and practice speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Activities include expanding vocabulary, conversing in Authentic contexts (conversation café), studying grammar intensively, reading stories and news articles, and reviewing Korean films and Korean film making.
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities; Language
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive, Writing-Intensive
K. Park
Prereq: ASIAN-262 or equivalent.
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-313 Advanced Chinese Reading
ASIAN-314 Learning Chinese Through Film
Fall. Credits: 4
This course will improve students' four communication skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) by studying contemporary Chinese films, including several prize winners/nominees by internationally acclaimed directors such as Zhang Yimou, Li An, and Chen Kaige. The class will watch the films and then use the synopses and selected dialogues from the scripts as reading materials to facilitate both linguistic and cultural learning. Social and cultural issues reflected in the films will be discussed. 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
Spring. 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. Yan
Prereq: ASIAN-311 or equivalent.
Advisory: Contact Lisha Xu, lxu@mtholyoke.edu, for placement.
Notes: Taught entirely in Chinese.
ASIAN-316 Introduction to Translation Between Chinese and English
Spring. Credits: 4
This is an introductory course on Chinese-English translation. The course develops the student's ability to think deeply about the texts and to produce natural and accurate translation from Chinese to English and vice versa. Both oral and written translation skills are emphasized; students will conduct translations at different linguistic levels, from expressions to sentences to discourses. The class materials include news and reportage, business, governmental, and legal documents, and film subtitles. Students will be assigned a real translation project at the end of the course. Technology will be used to assist learning and publishing of translated texts.
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-317 Media and Translation
Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4
The course intends to further advance students' language skills in Chinese through both traditional mass media and the emerging social media. In addition to the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), oral interpretation and written translation (from Chinese to English and vice versa) will be emphasized in class as a way of deeper comprehension and useful skill of communication. While the reading and viewing materials used in this class are written news reports and news videos, the means of mock publication include some interactive social media tools such as blogs and podcasts.
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.
Independent Study
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.
Related Courses Approved for the Asian Studies Major and Minor
Most Asian studies courses offered by other departments at Mount Holyoke are listed below, but students should also consult the catalogue entries or websites of other departments, including Art History, History, International Relations, Politics, and Religion. Asian studies majors should also plan to use the rich resources of the Five College Consortium in selecting their courses (Iistings are available through the Five College Class Schedule or individual college websites).
Please consult the chair of the Asian Studies Committee for guidelines regarding Asian languages not taught in the Five Colleges.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTHR-204 | Anthropology of Modern Japan | 4 |
| Art History | ||
| ARTH-105 | Arts of Asia | 4 |
| ARTH-262 | Arts of Japan | 4 |
| ARTH-263 | Arts of India | 4 |
| ARTH-271 | Arts of Islam: Book, Mosque, and Palace | 4 |
| ARTH-290BC | Issues in Art History: 'Bollywood: A Cinema of Interruptions' | 4 |
| ARTH-360BC | Seminar in Asian Art: 'Bollywood: A Cinema of Interruptions' | 4 |
| Art Studio | ||
| ARTST-269 | Japanese Papermaking | 4 |
| Asian Studies | ||
| ASIAN-107 | Arts of Asia | 4 |
| ASIAN-110 | First Year Chinese I | 6 |
| ASIAN-111 | First Year Chinese II | 6 |
| ASIAN-120 | First Year Japanese I | 6 |
| ASIAN-121 | First Year Japanese II | 6 |
| ASIAN-130 | First Year Arabic I | 4 |
| ASIAN-131 | First Year Arabic II | 4 |
| ASIAN-160 | First Year Korean I | 4 |
| ASIAN-161 | First Year Korean II | 4 |
| ASIAN-212 | Second Year Chinese I | 6 |
| ASIAN-213 | Second Year Chinese II | 6 |
| ASIAN-214 | Philosophical Foundations of Chinese Thought: The Classical Period | 4 |
| ASIAN-215 | Androgyny and Gender Negotiation in Contemporary Chinese Women's Theater | 4 |
| ASIAN-222 | Second Year Japanese I | 6 |
| ASIAN-223 | Second Year Japanese II | 6 |
| ASIAN-229 | Analyzing Japanese: Intro to Linguistics | 4 |
| ASIAN-232 | Second Year Arabic I | 4 |
| ASIAN-233 | Second Year Arabic II | 4 |
| ASIAN-247 | Chinese Women Writers in the 20th and 21st Centuries | 4 |
| ASIAN-248 | Contemporary Chinese Fiction: From 1949 to the Present | 4 |
| ASIAN-262 | Second Year Korean I | 4 |
| ASIAN-263 | Intermediate Korean II | 4 |
| ASIAN-270 | Arts of Japan | 4 |
| ASIAN-271 | Arts of Islam: Book, Mosque, and Palace | 4 |
| ASIAN-310 | Third Year Chinese I | 4 |
| ASIAN-311 | Third Year Chinese II | 4 |
| ASIAN-312 | Newspaper Reading and Journalistic Practice in China | 4 |
| ASIAN-314 | Learning Chinese Through Film | 4 |
| ASIAN-315 | Business Culture and Communication in China | 4 |
| ASIAN-316 | Introduction to Translation Between Chinese and English | 4 |
| ASIAN-317 | Media and Translation | 4 |
| ASIAN-340 | Love, Gender-Crossing, and Women's Supremacy: A Reading of The Story of the Stone | 4 |
| ASIAN-360BC | Topics in Asian Art: 'Bollywood: 'A Cinema of Interruptions' | 4 |
| Critical Social Thought | ||
| CST-249CE | Topics in Critical Social Thought: 'Christian Ethics: Premodern, Postmodern' | 4 |
| CST-249FD | Topics in Critical Social Thought: 'Eating Asian America: Thinking through Food in Literature and Culture' | 4 |
| CST-349AX | Advanced Topics: 'Making Waves: Gender and Sexuality in Asian America' | 4 |
| Dance | ||
| DANCE-143 | Classical Indian Dance | 2 |
| English | ||
| ENGL-274 | Introduction to Asian American Literature | 4 |
| ENGL-334BG | Asian American Film and Visual Culture: 'Beyond Geishas and Kung Fu Masters' | 4 |
| Film Studies | ||
| FLMST-270BC | National/Transnational Cinema: 'Bollywood: A Cinema of Interruptions' | 4 |
| FLMST-320BG | Seminar in Film Studies: 'Beyond Geishas and Kung Fu Masters: Asian American Film and Visual Culture' | 4 |
| Gender Studies | ||
| GNDST-204CW | Women and Gender in the Study of Culture: 'Androgyny and Gender Negotiation in Contemporary Chinese Women's Theater' | 4 |
| GNDST-210SL | Women and Gender in Philosophy and Religion: 'Women and Gender in Islam' | 4 |
| GNDST-333AS | Advanced Seminar: 'Anthropology and Sexualities' | 4 |
| GNDST-333AX | Advanced Topics: 'Making Waves: Gender and Sexuality in Asian America' | 4 |
| GNDST-333HH | Advanced Seminar: 'Love, Gender-Crossing, and Women's Supremacy: A Reading of The Story of the Stone' | 4 |
| GNDST-333SA | Advanced Seminar: 'Women and Gender in Modern South Asia' | 4 |
| History | ||
| HIST-111 | The Making of the Modern Middle East | 4 |
| HIST-124 | History of Modern South Asia, 1700 to the Present | 4 |
| HIST-137 | Modern East Asia, 1600-2000 | 4 |
| HIST-222 | Muslim Politics in Modern South Asia | 4 |
| HIST-223 | Religion and Politics in Modern India | 4 |
| HIST-224 | The Busy Silk Roads: Cultural Exchange in Pre-modern Eurasia | 4 |
| HIST-232CC | Special Topics in Medieval History: 'Conquered and Colonized Christianities: 150-1650 CE' | 4 |
| HIST-238 | The Qing Empire | 4 |
| HIST-239MC | Topics in Asian History: 'Borderlands and Ethnicity in Modern China' | 4 |
| HIST-239ME | Topics in Asian History: 'Cities in Modern East Asia' | 4 |
| HIST-296ME | Topics: Women in History: 'Women and Gender in the Middle East' | 4 |
| HIST-301MC | Colloquium: 'Premodern Christian-Muslim Encounters' | 4 |
| HIST-301ND | Colloquium: 'The Indian Ocean World' | 4 |
| HIST-301SA | Colloquium: 'Women and Gender in Modern South Asia' | 4 |
| International Relations | ||
| IR-211 | Middle East Politics | 4 |
| IR-222 | The United States, Israel, and the Arabs | 4 |
| IR-224 | The United States and Iran | 4 |
| IR-324 | Islamic Political Thought | 4 |
| IR-333 | Just War and Jihad: Comparative Ethics of War and Peace | 4 |
| IR-341 | Political Islam | 4 |
| Jewish Studies | ||
| JWST-150 | Introduction to Modern Hebrew | 4 |
| Medieval Studies | ||
| MEDST-217CC | Special Topics in Medieval History: 'Conquered and Colonized Christianities: 150-1650 CE' | 4 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHIL-212 | Philosophical Foundations of Chinese Thought: The Ancient Period | 4 |
| Politics | ||
| POLIT-208 | Chinese Politics | 4 |
| POLIT-228 | East Asian Politics | 4 |
| POLIT-359 | Democratization and Civil Society in East Asia | 4 |
| POLIT-373 | The Politics of Transformation in China and India | 4 |
| Religion | ||
| RELIG-102 | Introduction to Islam | 4 |
| RELIG-163 | Introduction to Buddhism | 4 |
| RELIG-167 | Hinduism: An Introduction | 4 |
| RELIG-201 | Reading the Qur'an | 4 |
| RELIG-207 | Women and Gender in Islam | 4 |
| RELIG-223 | Religion and Politics in Modern India | 4 |
| RELIG-225CC | Topics in Religion: 'Conquered and Colonized Christianities: 150-1650 CE' | 4 |
| RELIG-225CE | Topics in Religion: 'Christian Ethics: Premodern, Postmodern' | 4 |
| RELIG-241 | Women and Buddhism | 4 |
| RELIG-267 | Buddhist Ethics | 4 |
| RELIG-311 | Sufism: The Mystic Path in Islam | 4 |
| RELIG-329 | Buddhism in North America | 4 |
| RELIG-337MC | Topics in the Study of Christianity: 'Premodern Christian-Muslim Encounters' | 4 |
| RELIG-343 | The Sabbath | 4 |
| Theatre Arts | ||
| THEAT-234CW | Topics in Theatre Studies: 'Androgyny and Gender Negotiation in Contemporary Chinese Women's Theater' | 4 |
