ASIAN-211 Topics in Asian Studies
ASIAN-214 Philosophical Foundations of Chinese Thought: the Ancient Period
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.
ASIAN-215 Androgyny and Gender Negotiation in Contemporary Chinese Women's Theater
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.
ASIAN-216 Making is Thinking: Craft Cultures in East Asia
This course examines the changing ideas and media practices of "craft" from pre-modern to the contemporary era, and from the British Art and Craft Movement to folkcraft promotion in East Asia. We will navigate intellectual writings, games, documentaries, novels, paintings, films, design manuscripts and products, and video blogs. We will also engage in DIY activities. Topics include "craft and ecology," "craft and industrialization," "craft and gender," and "the future of work." By delving into the discourses of craft shaped by various technological, cultural, and political forces, we aim to foster a critical awareness of the ethics and condition of labor, long dominated by technoscientific rationality and elitist fine art, and to reimagine the future of work.
ASIAN-247 Chinese Women Writers in the 20th and 21st Centuries
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 of 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.
ASIAN-340 Love, Gender-Crossing, and Women's Supremacy: A Reading of The Story of the Stone
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.
ASIAN-362 Political Anthropology of the Middle East
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.
ASIAN-110 First Year Chinese I
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.
ASIAN-111 First Year Chinese II
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.
ASIAN-120 First Year Japanese I
Introduces listening, speaking, reading, and writing modern Japanese; hiragana, katakana, and approximately 50 Kanji. Supplements class work with audio and video.
ASIAN-121 First Year Japanese II
This continues ASIAN-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.
ASIAN-130 First Year Arabic I
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.
ASIAN-131 First Year Arabic II
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.
ASIAN-160 Beginning Korean I
Beginning Korean I is the first course in a two-semester Beginning Korean sequence, designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of Korean. The course introduces Hangul (the Korean writing system), fundamental pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, equipping students for basic communication in everyday situations. Additionally, the course explores foundational cultural practices, fostering cross-cultural awareness and respectful interaction in diverse social contexts.
ASIAN-161 Beginning Korean II
Beginning Korean II is the second course in a two-semester Beginning Korean sequence, designed for students who have completed Beginning Korean I or possess equivalent proficiency. The course expands vocabulary and grammar while strengthening discourse skills, enabling students to communicate more fluently on various personal topics in diverse social settings. Students engage in extended conversations, comprehend short narrative and descriptive texts, and write simple, connected paragraphs about personal experiences. The course builds on foundational cultural knowledge by further exploring Korean culture and social norms, fostering a deeper understanding of intercultural communication.
ASIAN-212 Second Year Chinese I
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.
ASIAN-213 Second Year Chinese II
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.
ASIAN-222 Second Year Japanese I
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.
ASIAN-223 Second Year Japanese II
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.
ASIAN-232 Second Year Arabic I
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.
ASIAN-233 Second Year Arabic II
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.
ASIAN-262 Intermediate Korean I
Intermediate Korean I is the first course in a two-semester Intermediate Korean sequence, designed for students who have completed Beginning Korean II or possess equivalent proficiency. This course enhances students' ability to communicate more fluently and accurately on a broader range of personal and societal topics. Students engage in extended conversations, produce connected speech and text, and interpret written and spoken materials with sensitivity to politeness levels and formality. The course also examines Korean culture, traditions, and values through critical analysis and comparative perspectives, fostering intercultural competence. Cultural components are integrated throughout, and students participate in hands-on workshops to experience Korean cultural practices.
ASIAN-263 Intermediate Korean II
Intermediate Korean II is the second course in a two-semester Intermediate Korean sequence, designed for students who have completed Intermediate Korean I or possess equivalent proficiency. This course enhances communicative competence, enabling students to express themselves with greater fluency, accuracy, and confidence in both informal and formal settings while engaging with a broader range of personal, academic, and societal topics. Through project-based learning, students analyze and discuss societal and global issues aligned with their interests while developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Instruction includes interactive lectures, discussions, student presentations, projects, and group activities. Students also participate in hands-on workshops to engage with Korean cultural practices. As part of the Korean language sequence, this course prepares students for advanced coursework, study abroad, and the East Asian Studies major or the Asian Studies minor.
ASIAN-310 Third Year Chinese I
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.
ASIAN-311 Third Year Chinese II
This course continues ASIAN-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.
ASIAN-314 Learning Chinese Through Film
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.
ASIAN-315 Business Culture and Communication in China
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.
ASIAN-317 Chinese Society and Culture: Reflections In Literature and Media
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.
ASIAN-318 Business and Intercultural Communication In Chinese Society
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.
ASIAN-324 Third Year Japanese I
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.
ASIAN-326 Third Year Japanese II
This course continues ASIAN-324, Third Year Japanese I. It 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.
Most Asian studies courses offered by other departments at Mount Holyoke are listed below, but students should also consult the catalog entries or websites of other departments, including Art History, History, International Relations, Politics, and Religion. Asian Studies minors may 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.
