Chair, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KIMBERLY BESIO
Professor Tamae Prindle (Japanese), Associate Professors Besio (Chinese), Nikky Singh (Religious Studies)¹, Suisheng Zhao (Government)²; Assistant Professors Ankeney Weitz (East Asian Studies and Art) and Peter Ditmanson (East Asian Studies and History); Visiting Instructor Lei Shen (Chinese); Teaching Assistants Chie Ito (Japanese) and Wei-Keong Too (Chinese)

¹On leave second semester.
²On leave full year.

The East Asian studies major contributes a new dimension to the traditional liberal arts curriculum by exposing the student to rich cultures outside the scope of Western civilization. Study abroad during the junior year is strongly encouraged; see "Colby-Affiliated Programs" for information about the Associated Kyoto Program in Japan and various programs in China.

Requirements for the Major in East Asian Studies
For the classes of 1999, 2000, 2001: A minimum of five semesters of training in Chinese or Japanese language and 21 additional credit hours to include East Asian Studies 151 and 152 (or one of 151, 152, or 150 and a designated 200-level course), one course in Chinese or Japanese literature, at least one seminar or independent study devoted to East Asia, and any other course dealing with East Asian studies from the departments of Anthropology, Art, East Asian Studies, Government, History, or Religious Studies.

For the Class of 2002 and beyond: One introductory course (East Asian 150); a language and literature concentration consisting of two language courses beyond the all-College requirement (normally Japanese or Chinese 128 and 321) and one literature course in the country of the language concentration; and an additional six courses chosen from those approved for the East Asian studies major. These six courses must conform to the following distribution: one 200-level art, religion, music, or history course; one 200-level government, anthropology, economics, or sociology course; one 300-level course; one 400-level senior project or seminar; and two additional electives. Of these six courses a minimum of three must focus on the country of the language concentration; a minimum of two must focus on either the East Asia region as a whole or on an East Asian country different from that of the language concentration.

The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses offered toward the major. No requirement for the major may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory. To achieve distinction in the East Asian studies major, the student will have achieved a 3.25 grade point average in the courses listed for the major and will have taken two additional language courses beyond those required for the major. These courses may be a continuation of the language of concentration at the 322 level or above, or they may be introductory courses in a second Asian language.

Honors in East Asian Studies
An honors program is available for senior majors who have earned a 3.25 major average; normally application to the program is required prior to the senior year. Some aspect of the culture of East Asia will be studied as the honors project in East Asian Studies 483 and 484.

Attention is called to the minor in Chinese and the minor in Japanese. Requirements for these minors are listed under "Chinese" and "Japanese."

Requirements for the Minor in East Asian Studies
For the classes of 1999, 2000, and 2001, the East Asian studies minor consists of seven courses: East Asian Studies 151, 152 (or one of 151, 152, or 150 and a designated replacement), Chinese 125, 126 or Japanese 125, 126, and three additional non-language courses, two of which must be elected from the 200- or higher level and at least one of which must be at the 300- or higher level among those courses approved for the major in East Asian studies. None of these non-language courses may be double-counted towards the Chinese or Japanese minor. When electing the three additional non-language courses, students are not required to concentrate their studies solely on China or Japan.

For the Class of 2002 and beyond: East Asian Studies 150, Introduction to East Asian Studies; three language courses in Chinese or three in Japanese; three non-language courses, one at the 200 level, one at or above the 200 level, and the third at the 300 level or above. Courses may be selected from offerings in literature, music, art, government, religion, history, and anthropology listed under East Asian Studies. With the exception of East Asian Studies 150, no non-language course at the 100 level may count toward the minor.

Course Offerings

150fs Introduction to East Asia A survey of the historical, social, and cultural features of the major civilizations of East Asia from ancient times to the 20th century. Four credit hours. H, D. MR. DITMANSON AND MS. WEITZ

[151, 152] Introduction to East Asia An introduction to the society and culture of East Asia, focusing on the elite and popular culture of the region as personified by the great historical personalities of China, Japan, and Korea. Topics in the history, art, philosophy, religion, language, literature, and government of the areas. Four credit hours. H, D.

197j Zen and the Art of . . . Painting, calligraphy, sculpture, tea ceremony, gardening, flower arranging, Noh drama, poetry, archery (and other martial schools), architecture . . . In addition to studying Zen in the traditional arts of Japan and China, students consider the influence of Zen in our lives by examining the ubiquitous North American phrase "Zen and the art of . . ." Three credit hours. A, D. MS. WEITZ

[231] The Chinese Novel: Vignettes of Life in Imperial China A critical examination of the development of classical Chinese literature of various genres such as poetry, popular songs, philosophical discourse, historical narrative, prose, fiction, tales of the supernatural and the fantastic, romance, and drama. All readings are in English translation. Four credit hours. L, D.

232s Male Friendship in Chinese Literature A survey of pre-modern Chinese literature through the prism of male friendship. Friendship, particularly among men, was a theme that resonated powerfully in traditional Chinese literature, perhaps because it was the only one of the five Confucian relationships that was not innately hierarchical. The course examines a variety of literary works, including historical and philosophical prose, poetry, drama, and fiction, on friendship and famous friends. Among issues explored are the search for a "soulmate," the primacy of male friendships over romantic and domestic ties, and changing constructions of masculinity. All works are in English translation; knowledge of Chinese not required. Four credit hours. L, D. MS. BESIO

[251] Imaging Chinese Women: Ideas and Ideals in China An examination of woman as trope in Chinese literature over the last two millennia. How "woman" became a cultural construct and how that construct has defined gender role and femininity; how women were portrayed in male-written texts and how women perceived themselves in female-written texts. Knowledge of Chinese language not required. Three or four credit hours. L, D.

252j Hell on Earth? Chinese Writers on Modern Chinese Society An examination of 20th-century Chinese society through a critical reading of the writings of major Chinese writers in translation. Attention to the development of fiction writing in modern Chinese literature and the plight of the Chinese women in this century. Three or four credit hours; three credit hours in January. L, D. MS. BESIO

271f Women in Japanese Cinema and Literature The course approaches Japanese culture multidimensionally, examining Japanese women's identity politics in literature and films through both Western and Japanese feminist theories. Films and literature cover the historical periods from the 12th through 20th centuries. No prior knowledge of Japanese language, culture, or feminist ideology required. Four credit hours. L, D. MS. PRINDLE

332s Masterpieces: Modern Japanese Novels An appreciation and examination of masterpiece novels by 10 luminous Japanese writers, including two Nobel Prize laureates. The course will examine the ideas, feelings, and values expressed in and through these novels. No knowledge of Japanese required. Four credit hours. L, D. MS. PRINDLE

431f Collecting the Past in China and Japan East Asian concepts of the past are intimately related to the practice of collecting things--from landscape paintings to miraculous tales, from ancient bronzes to rare books. A seminar exploring the cultural and social phenomenon of collecting by asking questions such as: Why is the past so important in East Asia? What role does the collector play in forming ideas about the past? Does authenticity really matter? Can the past be commodified? Why is collecting configured as an anxiety-ridden and obsessive occupation? Prerequisite: Art 173, 273, or 274. Four credit hours. A, D. MS. WEITZ

[457] Seminar on Japanese Culture: Literature and Society Examination of some major Japanese cultural and historical aspects through literature. The concept of Zen Buddhism (monism), the fall of feudalism, and post-World War II social problems examined and discussed through poetry, fiction, and drama. Some comparisons with literatures from other cultures such as those of India, China, and Germany. Four credit hours. L, D.

483f, 484s Honors Project An interdisciplinary analysis of an aspect of East Asian culture employing diverse sources and methods. Independent study, extensive readings, consultations, and a thesis. Successful completion of the honors project and of the major will result in the degree being awarded "With Honors in East Asian Studies." Prerequisite: Senior standing, a 3.25 major average, and permission of a faculty mentor. Three or four credit hours. FACULTY

491f, 492s Independent Study Individual study of special problems in East Asian civilization, offered in the departments that participate in the program. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to four credit hours. FACULTY

Courses Approved for the Major in East Asian Studies
Anthropology
233 China: An Anthropological Study

Art
173 Survey of Asian Art
273 The Arts of China
274 The Arts of Japan

Chinese
All courses offered

East Asian Studies
All courses offered

Government
233 International Relations in East Asia
255 Introduction to Chinese Politics
256 The Pacific Challenge
261 Introduction to Japanese Politics
452 Chinese Foreign Policy

History
254j The World of Ming China, 1368-1644
256 Japan from Early Times to the 17th Century
452 The Rise of Modern East Asia

Japanese
All courses offered

Music
275 Music and Art in Japanese Culture

Religious Studies
212 Religions of China and Japan
391 Seminar (if topic is appropriate)
392 Seminar (if topic is apropriate)