Asian Studies Minor - Undergraduate - 2009 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2009 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

Coordinator: Aditya Adarkar

The Asian Studies Minor is designed for undergraduates and can complement any of the undergraduate majors of Montclair State University. This minor offers students the opportunity to focus a segment of their university training on Asia and to engage in this dynamic global and interdisciplinary field of study. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the cultural, social, political, economic, and global components of issues related to Asian nations and identities; they will learn to appreciate and analyze complex cultural objects (text, art, symbols, ceremonies, etc), as well as the traditions behind them. Through such a course of study, students can better understand the complexity of Asian nations and cultures and the diversity of Asian political and economic systems, while gaining insights into global cultural movements of people and ideas and into the global challenges posed by a dynamically changing region. This minor helps students see, through the lens of literature, religion, philosophy, culture, and politics, how worlds of diverse and interconnected meanings are formed. And by  concentrating on  Asia in the context  of  multidisciplinary and inter-regional  courses  students will have the opportunity for a more solid, in depth, comparative understanding of Asia as a discrete yet complex reality and as a critical, dynamic global force.

ASIAN STUDIES MINOR

Complete 18 semester hours, from the following:

  1. Complete the following course:

    GNHU 217 Reading Asian Cultures 3

  2. Complete 15 semester hours from the following. Courses must be selected from at least 2 different departments.

    1. Complete 3 semester hours to 15 semester hours from the following:

      ANTH 130 Cultures of South Asia 3
      ANTH 431 Development of Indian Character and Culture 3
      ARHS 327 History of Oriental Art 3
      ENLT 235 Contemporary Chinese Women's Literature 3
      PHIL 237 Asian Philosophy 3
      POLS 206 Government and Politics of China and Japan 3
      POLS 340 Government and Politics of India and South Asia 3

    2. Complete $H to 12 semester hours from the following:

      RELG 212 Asian Religions 3
      RELG 213 Buddhism 3
      RELG 214 Classical Texts of Asian Religions 3
      RELG 215 Hinduism 3
      RELG 217 Taoism 3

Course Descriptions:

ANTH130: Cultures of South Asia

This course will provide a broad overview of society, culture, and history of South Asia. The goal is to convey the tremendous diversity of cultural expression and social plurality found in the region by focusing on specific events and concepts at scales varying from local to national, such as the emergence of nationalism, formation of nation states, and caste. The course will introduce students to an important region, home to one-fifth of the population of the world, and also help them understand contemporary political, economic, and environmental change in the subcontinent. Meets the l983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

ANTH431: Development of Indian Character and Culture

The historical conditioning of Indian behavior. Culture change in the perspective of colonialism and modernization: contributions of religion to social and political values and modern literature. Cross listed with History, HIST 431. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ANTH 100 OR HIST 100.

ARHS327: History of Oriental Art

The factors that shaped oriental society; the art of China, Korea, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and the neighboring Islamic world. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Fine and Performing Arts: Art Appreciation. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 105 or HONP 100.

ENLT235: Contemporary Chinese Women's Literature

Students of contemporary Chinese women's literature will analyze specific narrative techniques used in the representation of women in light of the literary inscriptions of place, family, history, gender, sexual politics, nationalism, and transnationalism. Students will examine how these narratives raise questions about Chinese origins, memories, desires and subjectivities in the age of globalization. Our primary focus will be on fiction written by women from mainland China, Taiwan, and Chinese diaspora. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

GNHU217: Reading Asian Cultures

This course is an introduction to a wide range of cultural traditions across Asia as seen through a spectrum of cultural objects. Particular emphasis will be given to the cultural accomplishments of China, Japan, and India, and these will be read in their cultural and historical contexts. Students can expect to read poetry, drama, and prose, view a variety of art forms, and listen to musical styles from ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Students will learn to appreciate and analyze complex cultural objects as well as the traditions behind them. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

PHIL237: Asian Philosophy

Philosophical interpretations of experience and reality in representative movements of eastern thought. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

POLS206: Government and Politics of China and Japan

Governmental and political development, institutions, and practices in contemporary China-Japan. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

POLS340: Government and Politics of India and South Asia

The political experiences and institutions of the Indian subcontinent since 1947: The Republic of India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Bangladesh. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: POLS 201 or departmental approval.

RELG212: Asian Religions

The cultural and theological bases for the faith and practice of major Eastern religions--Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Taoism. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

RELG213: Buddhism

The exploration of Buddhist teachings, practices, history, and religious art in various Asian countries, notably India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Tibet (may vary). No prerequisites, but RELG 100, Religions of the World, is suggested. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

RELG214: Classical Texts of Asian Religions

This course emphasizes critical analysis and interpretation of primary textual sources. Students will read and examine primary documents from each of the Asian religions, their traditional interpretations and recent understandings and applications of these texts. 3 sh.

RELG215: Hinduism

An introduction to Hindu religious traditions, including philosophy, yoga practice, ritual workship, and sacred art. No prerequisites, but RELG 100 Religions of the World is suggested. 3 sh.

RELG217: Taoism

An introduction to Taoist religious texts and traditions, including Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu; Taoist connections with traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts; Taoist ritual traditions; and sacred art. No prerequisites, but RELG 100 Religions of the World is recommended. 3 sh.

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