1. Hindi-Urdu as a Cultural System
12F: 11
Hindi is written in the script used for Sanskrit, the classical language of Hinduism, which provides its more elevated vocabulary. Urdu draws its script, as well as its fancier registers, from Persian and Arabic. But in grammar the two languages are virtually the same. Is Hindi for Hindus, and Urdu for Muslims? What does it mean for language to be divided along lines of religion? This course's language training component will introduce Devanagari script and some grammar and basic conversation. We will also explore literary genres and other forms of expression, including modern Hindi-Urdu culture's most popular vehicle--Bollywood cinema. Dist: SOC; WCult: CI. Elison.
4. Introduction to Arab Culture (Identical to, and described under, Arabic 10)
13W, 14W: 10A
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Smolin.
5. Thought and Change in the Middle East and Central Asia (Identical to, and described under, Anthropology 27)
13S: 10A
Dist: SOC; WCult: NW. Eickelman.
6. Islam: An Anthropological Approach (Identical to, and described under, Anthropology 19)
Not offered in the period from 12F through 14S
Dist: SOC; WCult: CI. Eickelman.
8. Introduction to Islam (Identical to, and described under, Religion 8)
13X: 12
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW. Reinhart.
9. Hinduism (Identical to, and described under, Religion 9)
14S: 12
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW. Ohnuma.
10. The Religions of China
(Identical to, and described under, Religion 10)
13W, 14W: 10
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW. Raz.
11. Introduction to Korean Culture (Identical to History 9)
12F, 13F: 2A
This course provides an introduction to Korean culture and history, examining Korea's visual and textual expressions from the pre-modern age to the twentieth century. What are the origins of Korean national and cultural identities? How have Korean claims of cultural distinctiveness been manifested and modified over time? Tracing answers to these questions simultaneously helps us consider how and why Korea has entered America's consciousness. As Korea matters to the US not simply as a fact but as a project, this course avoids portraying Korea through any generalized statements or uncritical categories. Rather, students are encouraged to explore novel perspectives on Korea and thereby unravel their own prejudices and agendas. No prior acquaintance with the Korean language is required.Dist: SOC; WCult: CI. Kim and Suh.
12. Introduction to Chinese Culture (Identical to, and described under, Chinese 10)
13W, 14S: 12
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. The staff.
13. Introduction to Japanese Culture (Identical to, and described under, Japanese 10)
14S: 11
Dist: LIT; WCult: CI. Dorsey.
15. Modern Islam (Identical to, and described under, Religion 16)
14S: 12
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW. Reinhart.
17. Introduction to Hebraic and Israeli Culture (Identical to Hebrew 10 and Jewish Studies 16, and described under, Hebrew 10)
13S, 14S: 10A
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Glinert.
18. History and Culture of Indonesia
13S, 14S: 12
The history and contemporary issues of the island nation of Indonesia--home to the world's fourth largest population--will be examined in religion, politics, literature and language, with particular attention to the independence movement and the development of a national identity. Course resources will include readings in fiction and non-fiction, work-shops in performing arts, guest instructors, and multi-media materials both by and about Indonesians. WCult: NW. Diamond.
19. Introduction to South Asia
Not offered in the period from 12F through 14S
This course is interdisciplinary, exploring interactions of music, religion, politics, film, and society in the formation of cultures in South Asia. These topics will be analyzed as separate but interconnected facets of contemporary regional identity. While not comprehensive of all aspects of South Asia's rich and complex cultures, this course will introduce important themes and debates from a wide range of geographical, social, and temporal locations in South Asia and their impact on the world. WCult: NW.
21. Topics in Korean Studies
13W, 13S, 14W, 14S: 2A
In 13W, Science and Technology in the Making of Modern Korea. (Identical to History 6) Science has often been claimed to be universal. Jesuits, Protestant missionaries, scientists, revolutionaries, and policy makers often rely on scientific knowledge as they consider it to be objective and reasonable, hence it helps them easily cross cultural, linguistic, and national boundaries. By using science as a lens, this course aims to view innovations and dilemmas of Korean society. How has the history of science elaborated aspects of Korea that otherwise are overlooked or misunderstood? How does science help us understand Koreans' desires and despair in transforming knowledge making systems both in local and global settings? Students who are interested in both "the history of science and technology in non-western settings" and "East Asian studies" are welcome. Dist: SOC or INT; WCult: CI. Suh.
In 13S, Cultural Struggles in Colonial Korea. This course explores Korean history between 1876 and 1945, as Korea entered the modern period. First, we will examine how Japan, China, and Korea responded to Western imperialism in the 19th century, and then how China and Korea responded to Japanese imperialism early in the 20th century. The second half of the class will explore the Japanese colonial government's assimilation policy during the colonial period in Korea, and how Korea was affected by and reacted to various aspects of this policy. The establishment of historiography, formulation of aesthetic and cultural cannons, and shaping of images of Koreans and their land will be explored by examining diverse media including literature, photographs, exhibition catalogues, and other primary sources. The class will conclude with the continuing legacy of the Japanese colonial period.
Dist: SOC; WCult: NW. Kim.
24. Asian Performance Traditions (Identical to Theater 24 and Women's and Gender Studies 59.03, and described under Theater 24)
13S: 2A, 14S: Arrange
Dist: ART; WCult: NW. Chin.
25. Unveiling the Harem Dancer (Identical to Theater 10 and Women's and Gender Studies 59, and described under Theater 10)
13W: 12
Dist: INT; WCult: NW. Yessayan.
26. Anthropology of Tibet and the Himalayas (Identical to, and described under, Anthropology 32)
13S: 10A
Dist: SOC, WCult: NW. Craig.
27. Gender and Modern Media in India (Identical to Women's and Gender Studies 91)
13W, 14W: D.F.S.P. WCult: NW. Fluri, Ohnuma.
28. Contemporary Social Movements in India (Identical to Women's and Gender Studies 92)
13W, 14W: D.F.S.P. WCult: NW. Fluri, Ohnuma..
29. Foreign Study in India
13W, 14W: D.F.S.P. Dist: SOC; WCult: NW. Fluri, Ohnuma.
30. Global Sounds (Identical to, and described under, Music 4)
13W,14W: 10A
Dist: ART, WCult: NW. Levin.
33. Discovering an Islamic City
13S, 14S: D.F.S.P.
This course analyzes the historical and contemporary urban life of a traditional Islamic city as seen through the eyes of the town's scholars, planners, educators, writers, and crafts people, as well as scholarly readings that have shaped discussions in anthropology, history, and the history of religions. Fez is the locus of classical discussions of urbanism, public space, and civic life in the Muslim world. Participating in the life of the city, students have an opportunity to experience first hand its educational, economic, religious, kinship, and political institutions. Dist: SOC; WCult: NW. Vandewalle, Eickelman.
35. Visual Cultures of South Asia
12F: 2
Are ways of seeing and showing culturally constructed? Drawing on approaches from religious studies, anthropology, art history, and media studies, this course will present and theorize a range of visual practices specific to the societies of historical and contemporary South Asia. Contexts include religious practices, including but not limited to Hindu visual worship, or darshan; classical and contemporary art and architecture; norms of selfpresentation (or self-effacement) involving religion, caste, and especially gender; performance genres; political spectacle; and cinema, both ethnographic works and commercial productions. Dist: ART; WCult: NW. Elison.
36. Hindu Hierarchies: Caste in Theory and Practice (Identical to, and described under, Religion 40)
Not offered in the period from 12F through 14S
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW.
39. Tibetan Buddhism (Identical to, and described under, Religion 19)
Not offered in the period from 12F through 14S
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW.
40. Topics in Interregional Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
13S: 11 13F: 2A
In 13S, 40.02 at 11, Nomads From Central Asia to the Middle East: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives.
This seminar examines nomadic pastoralism as an economic system adapted to ecologically Marginal environments and as a socio-political system adapted to the culturally heterogeneous regions of Central Asia and the Middle East. We will survey the changing roles of nomadic peoples in these regions in order to gain a better understanding of the political and social dynamics of historical and contemporary societies in Central Asia and the Middle East. This course surveys with the history and culture of that area lying between China and the Near East, generally encompassing Mongolia, Xinjiang province, the Russian steppelands and Tuva, Afghanistan, Iran, and other nearby areas. Nomad society, its origins and development, the ecology of the pastoralism, gender, and identity issues, as well as the relationship between nomad and sedentary societies will be among the topics we investigate. In addition, we will examine the role of pastoralism as a route of cultural transmission and economic exchange.
Dist: SOC/INT; WCult: NW. Bauer.
In 13F, 40.01, Magic and Supernaturalism in Asian Literature and Film.
This course examines magical and supernatural elements in literature and films from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia. It studies artistic, psychological and political implications and interregional traditions of folklore and fiction. Literary texts include Pu Song Lin's Strange Tales from a Studio, Catherine Lim's They Do Return, Batin Long bin Hok's Jah Hut Tales and Othman Wok's Malayan Horror. Films may include Akira Kurosawa's Dreams, Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan and contemporary works such as Chan Wook Park's Extremes. Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Chin.
42.01: Modern Hinduism: Colonial and Nationalist Contexts (Identical to, and described under, Religion 19.1)
Not offered in the period from 12F through 14S
Dist: TMV; WCult: NW.
42.02: Visual Cultures of Tibet and the Himalaya: Identity and the Transformation of Tradition (Identical to Religion 40)
AMES Courses