Asian Studies (ASI) Courses

Some special topics courses listed below may have individual offerings that will apply to distribution requirements. See the Curriculum Outline section of this Bulletin for more information.

ASI-101 Elementary Asian Studies I

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures and participating members of other departments. With chair approval, this course in conjunction with ASI-102 fulfills the College's world language requirement.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: ASI-101L
Credit: 1

ASI-102 Elementary Asian Studies II

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures and participating members of other departments. With chair approval, this course in conjunction with ASI-101 fulfills the College's world language requirement.
Prerequisites: ASI-101 of the same language
Corequisites: ASI-102L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

ASI-112 Studies in Asian Culture

Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to, film, popular culture and arts, theory of mind, regional and ethnic identities, gender studies, politics and religion. As they consider the connections among different disciplines and cultural contexts, students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of cultural moments and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. Refer to the Course Description document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

ASI-177 Modern Asian Cult & Hist Through Film

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures and participating members of other departments. Topics vary from year to year. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

ASI-196 Religion & Literature

This course is an examination of one or more works of literature, with a view to discovering the religious insights and attitudes that they embody. The works and authors will vary from year to year, depending on the focus of the course. Recent topics have included classical Chinese poetry, and Japanese literature.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-201 Intermediate Asian Language I

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures and participating members of other departments. With chair approval, this course fulfills the College's language requirement.
Prerequisites: ASI-102 in the same language, or ASI-201 placement
Corequisites: ASI-201L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

ASI-202 Intermediate Asian Language II

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures and participating members of other departments. With chair approval, this course fulfills the College's language requirement.
Prerequisites: ASI-201 in the same language
Corequisites: ASI-202L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

ASI-204 Music in East Asian Cultures

A class for all students, regardless of background. Previous topics have included music in East Asian cultures, and music computer programing. This course is suitable for fulfilling distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

ASI-230 Topics in East Asian Religions

This is an introduction to the indigenous traditions of East Asia (Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto), and the development of Buddhism in China and Japan. There will also be some coverage of Christianity, Islam, and popular religion. Special attention will be given to the ways these various traditions have changed and interacted with one another in different historical contexts, especially the modern period. Readings will be from the works of Confucius, Laozi, and other Chinese and Japanese philosophers and religious figures.
Prerequisites: REL-104
Credit: 1

ASI-260 Topics in Asian History

The content of this course varies from semester to semester. It may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-277 Special Topics

The course provides opportunities for specialized, innovative material to be made available for students at the introductory level. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-288 Independent Study

Enrollment through Instructor and Department Chair approval.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-300 Special Topics in Asian History

The course provides opportunities for specialized, innovative material to be made available for students at the introductory level. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-301 Conversation & Composition

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and participating members of other departments. Specific languages vary from year to year. This course focuses on the continued development of the student's command of language and his understanding of culture, with an emphasis on speaking and writing.
Prerequisites: ASI-202 in the same language
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

ASI-311 Studies in Asian Language

Studies in Asian Language offers advanced study in a modern language. Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to, linguistics: phonetics, grammar and syntax, and second language acquisition. Students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the study of the Spanish language and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. This course counts toward the Language Studies requirement.
Prerequisites: ASI-301
Credit: 1

ASI-312 Studies in Asian Culture

Studies in Asian Culture offers advanced study of modern language culture. Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to, film, popular culture and arts, theory of mind, regional and ethnic identities, gender studies, politics and religion. As they consider the connections among different disciplines and cultural contexts, students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of cultural moments and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

ASI-372 Asian Security Politics

An introduction to the politics of Asia. Special attention will be given to political and economic development of this dynamic region, as well as to the unique relationship that the United States built with Asian countries. We will also examine the crucial impact that developments in this region have on political and safety situation within the region and broader. The course may occasionally be offered in conjuction with the courses in the Department of Modern Languages.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

ASI-376 Special Topics in Asian Language

Taught by members of the Department of Modern Languages & Literature and participating members of other departmentss. Topics vary from year to year. Refer to the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-377 Independent Study

Enrollment through Instructor and Department Chair approval.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

ASI-400 Senior Capstone

The student must submit to the Chair of Asian Studies Committee a reflective essay or portfolio of work in Asian Studies in order to complete the requirement for ASI-400, a non-credit independent study course to be taken during the fall semester of the senior year on a credit/no credit basis.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0