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Introduction to East Asian Cultures


Course Description

Cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, with emphasis on the formation of Chinese culture and its diffusion and variation within the other national groups.


Athena Title

Intro to East Asian Cultures


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

The course objectives are to introduce students to important cultural elements of East Asian nations, including China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam; to expose students to literary works, films, texts and visual artifacts from these countries; to teach students about the evolving legacies of these cultures, their interrelationships with one another, and their changing relations to other cultures outside the region; to enhance students' critical abilities through the analysis of literary texts; and to improve students' communications skills through oral presentations and expository writing assignments. Students' performance is assessed through presentations, writing assignments, tests, and a final examination.


Topical Outline

The focus of the course varies with the individual instructor, but the following is a list of the topics typically covered in a single semester: China: geography and history Confucius. Analects Tao Te Ching Film: Woman Wang Korea: geography and history writing system shamanism arts and literature Buddhism Japan: geography and history Shinto The Tale of Genji Tanizaki. In Praise of Shadows Vietnam: geography and history war and culture--the future


Syllabus