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Spring 2010 Courses

Any course highlighted in red is new for this semester

Anthropology

ANTH 2559: Gender, Family and Nation in Contemporary South Korea

3 credits, TH 1230-1345, Caren Freeman

This course looks at the way South Korean men and women have refashioned their everyday lives amidst the radical and turbulent changes of the past four decades.  Since the late 1960s, South Koreans have lived through rapid urbanization, industrialization, military authoritarian rule, democratic reform, rising consumerism, and integration into the global capitalist economy.  We will explore what it means to live through these changes, and what the consequences are for the diverse ways Koreans think about themselves, their family relations and their ethnic/national identity.  Keeping in the mind the tensions and interrelationship between ideological constructs and lived experiences of gender, family and nation, we will consider a wide range of social contexts and structures which frame the lives of South Koreans today, including transformations in work and education; marriage and dating; consumerism and youth culture; historical legacies of colonialism, military rule and national division; and political and economic policies of globalization.  We will also look at Korea’s relationship with diasporic communities as a site for the construction of new meanings and practices of gender, family and national belonging.

ANTH 3129: Marriage, Mortality, Fertility

3 credits, MW 1500-1615 John Shepherd

This course explores the ways that culturally formed systems of values and family organization affect population processes in a variety of cultures. Topics to be discussed will include (1) disease history, the impact of epidemics and famine, the differential impact of mortality by gender, age, and class, the impact of improved nutrition and modern medicine; (2) marriage strategies and alternatives, the problem of unbalanced sex ratios at marriageable age, systems of polygamy and polyandry, divorce, widowhood and remarriage; (3) fertility decision making, premodern methods of birth control and spacing, infanticide; and (4) migration, regional systems, and variation through time and space in the structure of populations.  The course has 30% East Asian content.

Anthro 101 or equivalent recommended as background. This is an advanced course, adding to general offerings in social organization, kinship, marriage, and gender. This course is cross-listed with women's studies. Upper level majors and non-majors.

ANTH 3670: Tibet and the Himalayas

3 credits, TH 1400-1515 Nicolas Sihle

This course aims at providing a balanced, anthropological outlook on a complex and culturally diverse area, on which the West and others have massively projected their own fantasies: Tibet and the Himalayas. We will learn to mistrust these myths and will develop an understanding of these societies both in their own terms and by relating Tibetan and Himalayan ethnography to larger anthropological issues and debates. The main topics investigated shall include ethnicity, social and political organization, and religious forms; we will also engage in a thorough discussion of recent political developments. The course materials will center on academic articles and books, but will include also biography, news articles, poetry, and films.

This course meets the Anthropology major¹s, as well as the College¹s, ³Non-Western perspectives² requirements.

Architectural History

ARH 3801/7801: Architecture of East Asia

TH 0900-1015, Yunsheng Huang

This is a survey and introductory course on the history of traditional architecture and allied arts of East Asia which includes China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.  Lectures will be presented to cover the major types of traditional architecture in East Asian countries.  Images of the major monuments from East Asia will be shown in class with discussions on how and why they were built in the way that are so much different from the western architecture.

ARH 3802/7802: Modern Japanese Architecture

H 1230-1515, Yunsheng Huang

This is a lecture course open to both graduates and undergraduates to learn about the development of modern Japanese architecture.  The “modern” history in Japan started from the mid-19th century Meiji period when Japan was opened to the Western world.  The government-patronized projects showed a strong tendency of “Westernization” in architecture and they involved a number of western professionals for design.  The new period began after Frank Lloyd Wright and later Le Corbusier built heir projects in Tokyo.  Since then the native architects, both domestically trained and foreign trained, contributed towards establishing a new architecture in Japan.

Art History

ARAH/ARTH 5585: Art of the Silk Road

Stretching some 8,000 kilometers from east to west, the Silk Road is a network of trade routes that provided a bridge between the east and the west. Although the eastern part of the routes had been in use for millennia, the opening of the Silk Road occurred during the first century BCE, when China secured control over the eastern section and began trading with the Roman Empire through intermediary states in Central Asia. From this time until the end of the Mongol Yuan period in the fourteenth century, with periods of disruptions, the Silk Road flourished as a commercial and at times military highway. But more than that, the Silk Road was a channel for the transmission of ideas, technologies, and artistic forms and styles, with far-reaching impact beyond China and the Mediterranean world, extending to Southwest Asia, Africa, the Atlantic shores of Europe, and Japan to the east. This seminar will examine the art forms that flourished along the Silk Road between the first and fourteenth centuries CE., ranging from ceramics, glass, gold and silverware, textiles, to religious art. Special attention will be paid to important sites such as Dunhuang (a Buddhist cave-temple site), Chang’an (capital of Han and Tang China), and Shosoin (the imperial art treasure house of Nara Japan). 

This seminar is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Chinese

CHIN 1020: Elementary Chinese

4 credits

MTWHF 1000-1050, Ran Zhao

MTWHF 1100-1150, Ran Zhao

MTWHF 1000-1050, Xiaorong Wang

MTWHF 1100-1150, Xiaorong Wang

MTWHF 1200-1250, Ran Zhao

MTWHF 1400-1450, Shu-Chen Chen

Prerequisite: CHIN 101 or equivalent (as demonstrated in the placement test). CHIN 101 and 102 are beginning-level courses in Modern Standard Mandarin Chinese for students with little or no prior experience in the language.

CHIN 2020: Intermediate Chinese

4 credits

MTWHF 1000-1050, Miao-fen Tseng

MTWHF 1100-1150, Miao-fen Tseng

MTWHF 1100-1150, Shu-chen Chen

MTWHF 1200-1250, Shu-chen Chen

Prerequisite: CHIN 201. CHIN202 is the continuation of CHIN 201. It is not intended for native or near-native speakers of Chinese. The goals of this course are to help students develop their proficiency in acquiring both language and culture in four languages skills through interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes in an immersion setting.

CHIN 2060: Accelerated Intermediate Chinese

4 credits, MTWF 1300-1350, Xiaorong Wang

This course is specifically designed for students with native or near-native speaking ability in Mandarin Chinese, but with reading and writing ability equivalent to a student who has completed CHIN 102. The course focuses on reading and writing Chinese. The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency with a vocabulary of 1000 characters; (b) express themselves clearly in written Chinese on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary. Prerequisite: CHIN 106 or equivalent (as demonstrated in the placement test).

CHIN 3020/5020: Readings in Modern Chinese

3 credits

MWF 1000-1050, Hsin-Hsin Liang

MWF 1100-1150, Hsin-Hsin Liang

CHIN 3025: Language House Conversation

1 credit, TBA, Ran Zhao

For students residing in the Chinese group in Shea House. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

CHIN 4020/7020: Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese

3 credits

MTH 1400-1450, Ran Zhao

MWF 1300-1350, Hsin-Hsin Liang

Prerequisite: CHIN 302, 502 or equivalent (as demonstrated in the placement test).

CHIN 4060: Accelerated Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese

3 credits

MWF 1300-1350, Miao-fen Tseng

Prerequisite: CHIN3050. CHIN4060 is the continuation of CHIN3050. The goals of this course are to help heritage learners develop proficiency in reading and writing and enhance listening and speaking skills through frequent exposure to a variety of authentic materials on social and cultural issues.

CHIN 5840: Introduction to Classical Chinese

3 credits, TH 1530-1645, Anne Kinney

Introduces the grammar and structure of classical Chinese. Prerequisite: for CHIN 584, CHIN 583 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

Business Chinese

3 credits, MWF 1300-1350, Hsin-Hsin Liang

Business Chinese is a one-term language course for business purposes designed for students who have studied Chinese for at least four years in a regular college program or with the equivalent language proficiency. It is aimed to enhance student's Chinese skills in the business context and promote their understanding about the macro and micro business environment and culture in contemporary China.

Chinese Literature in Translation

CHTR 3220/5220 Chinese Literature in Translation: The Revolutionary Tradition

3 credits, TH 1530-1645, Charles Laughlin

The Revolutionary Tradition in Modern Chinese Literature and Film is a general introduction to modern Chinese literary culture.

Commerce

GCOM 7892: Business in a Global Context - China

4 credits, MTWHF 0800-0900, Trey Maxham

This course focuses on doing business in China. Coursework consists of classroom instruction, corporate visits, and     cultural experiences to help students better understand the global business environment and conducting business in      China in particular.  Prerequisites:  Restricted to MS in Commerce students.

GCOM 7893: Business in a Global Context - SE Asia

4 credits, MTWHF 0800-0900, Peter Maillet

This course focuses on doing business in SE Asia. Coursework consists of classroom instruction, corporate visits, and   cultural experiences to help students better understand the global business environment and conducting business in      SE Asia in particular.  Prerequisites:  Restricted to MS in Commerce students.

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

EALC 2559: Korean Culture and Society

1-4 credits, TH 1400-1515, Teresa Lee

This course aims to help students develop an in-depth and well-balanced understanding of Korean culture and society. In so doing, it introduces important aspects of Korean culture including arranged marriage and ancestral rites. The course also introduces major literary works and touches upon some of the contemporary societal issues such as Korean people’s views on education and English education, and their perception of American culture and people.

In addition, this course emphasizes the importance of cultivating an ability to objectively compare Korean ways and perspectives with American ways and concepts. Students will be strongly encouraged to share their knowledge of American culture (or other cultures) and compare it with the cultural aspects and societal issues that are introduced in the course.

East Asian Studies

EAST 1010: East Asian Canons and Cultures

3 credits, TH 1530-1615, Conan Carey

This course is intended as an introduction to conceptions of self, society, and the universe as they were formulated in East Asia from earliest times up until the modern period through intensive engagement with canonical literary, philosophical, and religious texts such as the Analects, Diary of a Mad Old Man, Essays in Idleness, Lotus Sutra, Tale of Genji, and Tao Te Ching.  In addition to reading these works in translation, students will be introduced ot the characteristics of different East Asian languages that enabled their distinctive forms of rhetoric and thought, as well as conventions for romanization and pronunciation.

EAST 1559: Tibetan Cultural Heritage

3 credits, TH 1400-1515, Tsetan Nepali

This course is an introductory class to the unique culture of Tibet, The Land of Snows. It will touch on various topics on Tibetan culture, history, religion, language and literature, festivals, art and so forth. This will be done through lectures, movies, guest speakers, the reading of biographies of prominent Tibetan figures such as the Dalai Lama, etc. It will also include a minor component of introduction to Tibetan music. The main objective is to give a diverse and engaging introduction to a culture very different to ours.

EAST 4991: East Asia Majors Seminar

3 credits, TH 1400-1515, Ellen Fuller

Capstone course required for all East Asian Studies majors in their final year. Pre-Requisites: Restricted to Fourth Year, Fifth Year East Asian Studies majors

EAST 4998: Senior Thesis

3 credits, TBA, Staff

A two-semester sequence of tutorial work for students completing a Senior Thesis as part of the Distinguished Majors Program in East Asian Studies or East Asian Languages and Literatures.Prerequisites: Student must be enrolled in the Distinguished Majors Program in East Asian Studies or East Asian Languages and Literatures.

Education

EDLF 5500-7 Education Policy & Reform in Asia

1-6 credits, H 1700-2115, Nga Trang

EDLF 5500-18: Anthropology: Global Health Development & Education

3 credits, T 1300-1545, Diane Hoffman

In collaboration with Faculty from the School of Arts and Sciences, the Center for Global Health and others TBD

In today’s environment it is increasingly recognized that global social progress is a complex phenomenon dependent upon interactions that occur across multiple domains of human activity.  Human health is a biological as well as a social construct reflecting local cultural understandings, societal practices, educational processes and the influence of globalizing ideologies and practices. Education in turn is shaped by cultural and social contexts and exerts a powerful force on health outcomes, while health status in turn shapes educational outcomes.  Furthermore, the activities associated with development efforts exist in tension with both local and global ideologies concerning health and education.  

Considering health through biomedical and social constructivist perspectives, this course will engage students in an exploration of the multifaceted interactions of health, culture, and education as they currently play out in the context of development practices and ideologies as they are being enacted in numerous countries around the world, including Latin America, the Carribean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.  We will read extensively in the literature on anthropology and development as well as on the social contexts of health and education.  The course will utilize the expertise of faculty across Grounds, including Education,  Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Global Health.

The aim to develop awareness of the many ways in which culture impacts development in the arenas of global health and education,  and how better models of culturally informed inquiry can assist in that process.

History

HIEA 1501: Introductory Seminar - "Remembering the Asia-Pacific Wars"

3 credits, M 1800-2030, Robert Stolz

This discussion course will examine how memory either authorizes or represses specific histories. In exploring the politics of remembering and forgetting we will also pay attention to the ethical burden placed on the writing of history. We will look at theoretical and conceptual questions of history and memory, issues such as the Nanking Massacre, sexual slavery, and colonialism, concluding with the history and historical memory of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is not a course on the war itself. Fulfills second semester writing requirement. Reading load will vary from week to week based on difficulty.

HIEA 1501: Samurai, Monks, Townspeople, and Courtesans: Ideas and Society in Early Modern Japan

3 credits, H 1300-1350, Federico Marcon

Japan of the Tokugawa period (1600-1868) is the romantic set of countless adventures of samurai and geisha, ninja and artists, Buddhist monks and violent outlaws. But early modern Japan was also the social laboratory where new forms of thought developed and new political experiments were tried out. Tokugawa Japan is at the same time the negative image out of which modern Japan created itself and the origin of many social, political, economic, intellectual dynamics that facilitated the formation of a modern and technologically advanced nation state by the end of the nineteenth century.

This seminar gives a genealogy of the various forms of thought and their social and political consequences in two centuries and a half of Japanese history.

It fulfills the Second Writing Requirement.

HIEA 2072: Modern Japan

3 credits, MW 1000-1050, Robert Stolz

Discussion sections: H 0830-0920, 1700-1750, 1800-1850

This course is an introduction to the politics, culture, and ideologies of Modern Japan from roughly 1800 to the 1990s. It investigates the processes of Japan’s experience as a modern nation-state and its historical consequences. We will pay special attention to the complex interplay between Japan’s aggressive participation in global modernity and its simultaneous assertion of cultural particularity— the tension between a modernity based on constant change and the lure of a timeless cultural essence, especially in relation to Asia and “the West”.

HIEA 2091: Korean 13th-19th Centuries

3 credits, MWF 1300-1350, Ronald Dimberg

Second of a three part sequence on the history of Korea from earliest times into the 21st century. This course covers the period bracketed by the Mongols in the 13th and 14th centuries and the opening of the Yi Dynasty in the late 19th century.

HIEA 3112: The Traditional Chinese Order, Seventh Century-Seventeenth Century

3 credits, MW 1000-1050, Bradly Reed

Discussion sections: W 1700-1750, 1800-1850, H 0800-0850

HIEA 3112 covers the late imperial period of Chinese history, from the founding of the Song dynasty in the tenth century to the final decades of the imperial system in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Although the course covers the basic elements of social, political, and cultural history, emphasis is placed on analyzing events and trends in an attempt to come to grips with two rather thorny questions: 1) How can we account for the remarkable stability and longevity of the late imperial system of government as well as its basic patterns of social-economic relationships? 2) Given the durability of the late imperial system, how can we account for its fragmentation and ultimate demise when it faced fundamentally new challenges, from both within and without, in the nineteenth century? These and other questions will be considered through an investigation of several inter-related issues: The ideological and philosophical foundations of the authoritarian state; the linkage and tension between elite and popular culture and life-styles; the cultural assimilation of non-Chinese peoples; the formation of popular traditions of religious faith, protest and rebellion; and problems of systemic decline.

HIEU 3321: Scientific Revolution

1100-1215 MW, Federico Marcon

'There was no such thing as The Scientific Revolution, and this is a course about it.' This paraphrase of the first line of Steven Shapin’s The Scientific Revolution perfectly introduces the paradox at the core of this class. On the one hand, there was no such thing as a single event or a single process that we can unquestionably identify as the beginnings, as the origins of what today we call modern science. And yet on the other hand, there is no doubt that by the end of the seventeenth century a completely new way of looking at the universe, of manipulating with its objects and of conceptualizing its phenomena emerged as a new paradigm of knowledge and established the foundations of the natural sciences as we understand them today.

With the help of intellectual, philosophical, cultural, visual, and technical materials, the course tries to make sense of the revolution in knowledge that occurred in early modern Europe and of how it dramatically changed the world.

The class fulfills the Second Writing Requirement.

HIEA 4993: Independent Study in East Asia

1-3 credits, TBA, Staff

In exceptional circumstances and with the permission of a faculty member any student may undertake a rigorous program of independent study designed to explore a subject not currently being taught or to expand upon regular offerings. Independent Study projects may not be used to replace regularly scheduled classes. Open to majors or non-majors.

Japanese

JAPN 1020: First-year Japanese

4 credits

MTWHF 1000-1050, Tomoko Marshall

MTWHF 1100-1150, Tomoko Marshall

MTWHF 1200-1250, Tomoko Marshall

Introduces the basic speech patterns and grammatical units, including casual, daily spoken style, and the polite speech used in formal occasions. Emphasizes speaking, listening, and reading. Writing hiragana, katakana, and 200 kanji are also introduced. Prerequisite: JAPN 101 or equivalent.

JAPN 2020: Second-year Japanese

4 credits

MTWHF 1000-1050, Tomomi Sato

MTWHF 1100-1150, Tomomi Sato

MTWHF 1200-1250, Tomomi Sato

JAPN 3020/5020: Third-year Japanese II

3 credits

TH 0930-1045, Mieko Kawai

TH 1100-1215, Mieko Kawai

Continuation of Third-Year Japanese, emphasizing comprehension and active reproduction of modern Japanese beyond the basic patterns of speech and writing. Continued introduction of topics on current Japanese culture and society. Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or instructor permission.

JAPN 3025: Language House Conversation

1 credit, TBA, Staff

For students residing in the Japanese group in Shea House. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

JAPN 3110: Supplemental Reading in Japanese II

1 credit, M 1500-1550, Mieko Kawai

The second of a two-part reading course, to be taken in conjunction with JAPN 3020. In-depth study of authentic materials such as newspapers, short essays, and brief articles. Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent background.

JAPN 4710: Introduction to Literary Japanese (Bungo)

3 credits, M 1400-1630, Conan Carey

  This course is an introduction to Japanese as it was written from earliest times through to the mid-twentieth century. By the end of the course, students will be able to read any text written prior . While reading representative selections from some of Japan’s most revered works of poetry, fiction, myth, and history, students will also deepen their understanding of the modern Japanese language. Prerequisite:  Japanese 301 or equivalent background.
   The course is divided into two parts, with two separate goals in mind.  The first half will introduce grammatical fundamentals of literary Japanese (bungo ??), in particular those particles and conjugations not found in modern Japanese.  The second half of the course will build on these fundamentals through reading passages from a variety of texts, such as Heian poetry and tales, medieval essays, Edo travel literature, Meiji edicts and twentieth-century diplomatic documents. In addition to grammatical parsing and translation exercises, students will consider the potential complexities of translation from literary Japanese.

JAPN 4830: Media Japanese

3 credits, TH 1230-1345, Conan Carey

Reading and discussion in Japanese. Develops comprehension and verbal expression skills at the Fourth-Year level. Reading selections include articles from Aera, Japan's counterpart of Newsweek; manga, artistic comic magazines; and film criticism. Prerequisite: JAPN 302 or equivalent.

Korean

KOR 1020: Elementary Korean

4 credits

MTWHF 1000-1050, Teresa Lee

MTWHF 1100-1150, Teresa Lee

KOR 2020: Intermediate Korean

4 credits

MTWHF 1100-1150, Jongbok Yi

MTWHF 1200-1250, Soojeong Kim

KOR 3020: Advanced Korean

3 credits

TH 1230-1345, Jongbok Yi

TH 0930-1045, Soojeong Kim

Tibetan

TBTN 1020: Elementary Tibetan II

4 credits, MTWHF 0900-0950, Tsetan Nepali

An introduction to the grammar and syntax of spoken and written Tibetan for beginners with the intention of developing proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Examples are drawn from Tibetan short stories and proverbs, among other sources. Students gain knowledge of Tibetan culture to improve communication skills using a dynamic, interactive format. Pre-Requisites: TBTN 1010 Elementary Tibetan I.

TBTN 2020: Intermediate Tibetan II

4 credits, MTWHF 1000-1050, Tsetan Nepali

Intermediate skill-building in the grammar and syntax of spoken and written Tibetan, along with development of skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing through the integrated use of spoken and literary forms. Students will also enhance their knowledge of Tibetan culture in order to improve their communication skills. Pre-Requisites: TBTN 2010 Intermediate Tibetan I.

TBTN 3030: Advanced Modern Tibetan III

3 credits, MWF 1200-1250, Tsetan Nepali

A continuation of the Advanced Tibetan I/II language sequence, focusing on advanced grammar, syntax, and structures. Additional emphasis will be placed mastering oral communications skills through conversation, utilizing grammatical structures introduced in Advanced Modern Tibetan II. Pre-Requisites: TBTN 3020 Advanced Modern Tibetan II.

TBTN 3040/5040: Advanced Modern Tibetan IV

3 credits, MWF 1200-1250, Tsetan Nepali

A continuation of the Advanced Tibetan language sequence, focusing on advanced grammar, syntax, and structures. Additional emphasis will be placed on mastering oral communications skills through conversation, utilizing grammatical structures introduced in previous courses. Pre-Requisites: TBTN 3030 Advanced Modern Tibetan III.

Comparative Politics

PLCP 4150: Comparative Public Policy

3 credits, M 1530-1800, Leonard Schoppa

Investigates why policies in areas like social welfare, education, and trade differ across time and across countries in advanced industrialized nations.  The course looks at policies in the United States, Europe, and Japan.  About 25 percent of the readings focus on Japan.

PLCP 7500-Section 1: Political and Economic Reform in Advanced Industrialized Nations

3 credits, T 1530-1800, Leonard Schoppa

A variety of scholars have attributed cross-national differences in public policy to the structure of these nations' political and economic institutions.  This course focuses on whether and how arguments in this vein can accommodate and explain cases of political and economic reform that result in significant changes to institutions.  The course looks at the politics of public policy in the United States, Europe, and Japan.  About 33 percent of the readings focus on Japan.

International Relations

PLIR 5710: China in World Affairs

3 credits, 1900-2130, Brantly Womack

Includes international relations of China; conditioning historical, political, economic, and social forces; and the aims, strategy, and tactics of China's foreign policy. Prerequisite: Some background in international relations and/or the history of China.

PLIR 5810: Asymmetry and International Relations

3 credits, MW 1530-1645, Brantly Womack

A seminar exploring a new approach to international relations focused on relationships between countries with disparate capacities. Students will participate actively in developing and applying the new approach and contrasting it with other theories of international relations

Religious  Studies

RELB 2054: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism

3 credits, TH 1100-1150, Jann Ronis

Provides a systematic introduction to Tibetan Buddhism with a strong emphasis on tantric traditions of Buddhism - philosophy, contemplation, ritual, monastic life, pilgrimage, deities & demons, ethics, society, history, and art. The course aims to understand how these various aspects of Tibetan religious life mutually shape each other to form the unique religious traditions that have pertained on the Tibetan plateau for over a thousand years.

RELB 2100: Buddhism

3 credits, TH 1400-1515, Jann Ronis

Theravada, Mahayana, and Tantrayana Buddhist developments in India.

RELB 3559: East Asian Buddhism

3 credits, TH 1400-1515, Clarke Hudson

History, scriptures, thought, and practice of Buddhism in China from earliest times to the present. Traditions studied include Pure Land and Chan (Zen) Buddhism

RELB 5012: Readings in Chinese Buddhist Texts I, II

3 credits, TH 0800-0915, Clarke Hudson

Instruction in the reading and interpretation of Chinese Buddhist texts and the use of reference tools such as Chinese language dictionaries, bibliographies, encyclopedias, and indices.

RELB 5055: Buddhist Philosophy

3 credits, W 1530-1800, Karen Lang

This seminar will explore  how the Buddhist and Brahmanical ideas about the nature of liberation. We will examine  possible  Upanisadic influence on the writings of the early Buddhist texts as well as possible Mahayana Buddhist influence on the development of early Advaita Vedanta texts.  We will also investigate how Buddhists and Hindu philosophers debate such issues as existence of God and the reality of external objects, the difference between valid cognitions and illusions, and whether or not language accurately reflects reality.   The focus throughout the course will be on the philosophical debates between the various schools of Buddhism (Abhidharma, Madhyamaka and Yogacara) and Hinduism (Nyaya-Vaishesika,  and Advaita Vedanta).  Some knowledge of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy  either through previous coursework or independent reading is desirable

RELB 5559: Seminar in Medieval Daoism

3 credits, H 1530-1800, Clarke Hudson

History, scriptures, thought, and practice of religious Daoism, with an emphasis on the Celestial Master, Shangqing, and Lingbao traditions of the formative period (2nd-10th c.). Another focus will be relations between Buddhists and Daoists. Undergraduates, please contact the instructor before registering.

RELB 7559: Buddhist Studies

3 credits, T 1530-1800, Kurtis Schaeffer

Studies in Women and Gender

J-Term Courses 2010

COMM4390: Marketing Strategy in Southeast Asia (Study Abroad)

3 Credits, Dec 28th to Jan 16th, James G. Maxham III

ISO Application Deadline: Oct 1st

Marketing Strategy in Global Markets is a research-oriented course in the Marketing concentration curriculum that blends relevant classroom discussions, executive presentations, company visits, and marketing research to explore consumer behavior and cross-cultural marketing strategies in Southeast Asia. The course will expand some of the topics addressed in ICE, with special attention given to the different aspects of marketing across Southeast Asia. We will focus on key strategic issues such as positioning, brand management, promotions, public relations, market research, advertising, customer service and loyalty, and managing the marketing value chain.  Prerequisites: Instructor's permission, minimum 3.0 GPA at UVA

Syllabus link

Application link

RELB 1559: Buddhism in Fiction and Film

Kurtis R. Schaeffer, Associate Professor

This course is an introduction to Buddhism and an exploration of the place of Buddhism within contemporary Asian, European, and North American cultures through fiction and film. By focusing upon the presence of Buddhist themes within contemporary novels and films produced throughout the world, the course encourages us to consider Buddhism (and religion in general) not as an ancient, monolithic, and isolated tradition but as a vibrant, adaptable, and contested aspect of modern global culture. The interpretive goals in each case are to identify possible Buddhist sources for narrative themes and, more importantly, to consider how, why, and by whom Buddhism is employed in recent film and fiction to address contemporary issues. A more general goal of the course is to illustrate that Buddhism is a complex social and cultural phenomenon that cannot be reduced to any simple doctrine.

May Term Courses 2010

COMM 459Z: Marketing Strategy in Global Markets

"Marketing Strategy in Global Markets"  This two-week study-abroad class blends relevant classroom discussions, executive presentations, company visits, and marketing research projects to explore consumer behavior and cross-cultural marketing strategies in China. COMM 459Z counts one Commerce class (three credits) toward a marketing concentration, an international business concentration, or a student's McIntire elective requirement. For more information contact Professor James Maxham.  Click here for more information on COMM 459Z.