East Asian Studies
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from Dickinson, East Asian Studies majors will be able to:
- identify a research topic of importance to the field of East Asian studies, formulate a research question to explore, and develop a compelling argument supported by clearly explained evidence;
- analyze and critically evaluate the scholarship on a topic relevant to East Asian Studies using evidence and logic, and situate themselves within the scholarly discourse on the topic;
- communicate proficiently in the target language at the ACTFL level of intermediate low in terms of speaking, listening, reading, and writing;
- discuss the fact that East Asia, China, and Japan are geographic, cultural, economic, political, and social areas characterized by both shared patterns and great diversity.
Major
13 courses
Required Language Courses
101, 102, 201, 202 (CHIN or JPNS)
Required Topics Courses*
EASN/HIST 120
Two Humanities Electives
Two Social Science Electives
One additional elective (Social Science OR Humanities OR Advanced Language course)
300-level Seminar (WiD)
Capstone Courses
EASN 480 and 490
* One topics course must cover East Asia as a region or an area other than the country of language study.
NOTE: Students may not double-major in EASN and CHIN or JPNS.
Suggested curricular flow through the major
East Asian Studies Major
The EAS major is designed to ensure a strong foundation in East Asian civilization for on-campus course work and study abroad. To that end, four semesters of either Chinese or Japanese (through CHIN 202 or JPNS 202) are required. Students who enter the college with prior instruction in or knowledge of Chinese or Japanese may test out of this requirement or enroll in higher level language courses suitable to their needs. The purpose of language preparation and achievement is to prepare students for the option of spending one or two semesters abroad, normally during their junior year. Most students take this option at our partner institutions: Peking University or Yunnan University in China and Nanzan University or Akita International University in Japan.
Students normally begin their major with History of East Asia from Ancient Times to the Present (EASN120) and a selection of 200-level courses during their first and sophomore years while they are taking Japanese or Chinese. Students are required to complete two elective courses in both the humanities (including at least one literature course) and social sciences, along with one additional elective in either (or an advanced language course). EAS students must also take at least one 300-level course in preparation for the research and independent study at the core of the department’s capstone courses, Critical Dialogues in East Asian Studies (EASN 480) and Senior Research (EASN 490). EASN 480 and EASN 490 are offered in the fall and spring of a student’s senior year, respectively. Students must also take at least one course on an East Asia country that is not the focus of their language instruction. Here is a guide to the kinds of suggested courses a typical EAS major takes during the four years:
First and Sophomore Years
Chinese or Japanese language courses through 202
EASN 120 or EASN 101
At least two 200-level courses in the humanities and/or social sciences
Junior Year
Study abroad for one or two semesters in Japan or China
Additional 200-level electives and requirements
300-level course
Senior Year
300-level course during the fall semester (if not already taken)
Complete 200-level courses in line with plans for completing the major requirements
Complete EASN 480 in the fall in preparation for the EASN 490 research seminar in the spring
Honors
Honors within the major is determined by the quality of the senior thesis, which must display outstanding writing and analytical skills, and mastery of the research subject and its context. In addition to the written thesis, honors in East Asian Studies takes into account GPA within the major, overall GPA, the oral presentation of the thesis project, and the fielding of questions, but is neither precluded nor guaranteed by them. On the basis of a composite of these factors, the East Asian Studies faculty may decide to award honors to deserving students. Students interested in honors are encouraged to talk to their advisors no later than fall pause of their senior year for guidance to help them craft a thesis project able to meet the standards. Students who receive honors will be notified before the Thursday preceding graduation.
Courses
The following course is offered in China
207 China Practicum
Offered in Beijing, China. An intensive in-country introduction to Chinese culture and society. The course is particularly suited to students who have not had a chance to take two years of Mandarin Chinese language instruction and/or are not able to take advantage of the College's semester or year-long program in China. The course will introduce students to various aspects of Chinese society and culture and will link classroom study to outside-the-classroom and on-site experiences. The latter will include academic excursions to places of historical and cultural interest as well as to institutions like factories, schools, businesses, community organizations, and recreation areas that exemplify contemporary Chinese life. Course content will vary with the particular expertise and interests of the instructor(s) and curricular needs.
Attributes: East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity
The following course is offered in Japan
208 Japan Practicum
Offered in Japan. An intensive in-country introduction to Japanese culture and society. The course is particularly suited to students who have not had a chance to take two years of Japanese language instruction and/or are not able to take advantage of the College's semester or year-long program in Japan. The course will introduce students to various aspects of Japanese society and culture and will link classroom study to outside-the-classroom and on-site experiences. The latter will include academic excursions to places of historical and cultural interest as well as to institutions like factories, schools, businesses, community organizations, and recreation areas that exemplify contemporary Japanese life. Course content will vary with the particular expertise and interests of the instructor(s) and curricular needs.
This course fulfills the Humanities or Social Sciences distribution requirement, depending on topic.
Attributes: Global Diversity
East Asian Studies Courses
108 Arts of East Asia
This course introduces students to a selection of objects and sites that elicit new modes of cultural perception and insight into the artistic cultures of China, Korea, and Japan. Loosely arranged in a chronological order, each week is devoted to in-depth examination of a different type of object, medium, and format. The diverse mediums (sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, lacquer, prints, painting, calligraphy, photography, performance, and architecture) and the long historical span covered in class will chart how culture traveled within East Asia, and later, globally, as well as each culture鈥檚 distinctive methods of adaptation over time. Major themes include the relationship between artistic production and sociopolitical and socioeconomic development, cultural exchange, aesthetics, impact of religion, power and authority, gender, and issues of modernity. Lectures are supplemented by viewing sessions in the Trout Gallery.
This course is cross-listed as ARTH 108.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, Arts, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity, Humanities
120 History of East Asia from Ancient Times to the Present
This course explores the diverse and interrelated histories of the region currently composed of China, Korea, and Japan, over the past two thousand years. We begin by studying the technologies and systems of thought that came to be shared across East Asia, including written languages, philosophies of rule, and religions. Next, we examine periods of major upheaval and change, such as the rise of warrior governments, the Mongol conquests, and engagement with the West. The course concludes by tracing the rise and fall of the Japanese empire and the development of the modern nation states that we see today.This course is cross-listed as HIST 120.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, East Asian Social Sci Elective, INST Asia Course, Social Sciences
203 Topics in East Asian Literature
Selected topics in East Asian Literature; e.g., Chinese Women in Literature, Modern Japanese Literature, Pre-Modern Japanese Literature.
Prerequisite: dependent upon topic.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity, Humanities
204 Topics in East Asian Cinema
This course will introduce students to the cinematic traditions of China, Japan, Korea or a combination of the above. Possible topics may include: surveys of film in these countries, adaptation, women in East Asian film, and genre films.
Prerequisite: dependent upon topic. Offered every two years.
Attributes: Arts, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity
205 Topics in East Asian Humanities
Selected topics in East Asian humanities: e.g., Japanese Women, Modern China through Film, Women's Images in Chinese Film, Japanese Architecture.
Prerequisite: dependent upon topic. This course fulfills the Humanities (Division I A) or Arts (Division I C) distribution requirement, depending on topic.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity
206 Topics in East Asian Society
Selected topics in East Asian society: e.g., Modern Japanese Culture, Chinese Society, Chinese Emperors, The Chinese City.
Prerequisite: dependent upon topic.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity, Social Sciences
209 The Japanese Woodblock Print
This course provides a thorough introduction to the woodblock print 鈥揓apan鈥檚 most celebrated artistic medium鈥攆rom its emergence in the mid-17th century to the modern era. Technical developments, major genres, and master designers are explored within the context of the print鈥檚 relationship to the urban culture of early modern and modern Japan. Topics including censorship, theatricality, the representation of war, nationalism, and Japonisme. Special emphasis is placed on an examination of habits of pictorial representation and protocols of viewing unique to the Japanese print medium. Lectures are supplemented by viewing sessions in the Trout Gallery.
This course is cross-listed as ARTH 209.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, Arts, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity
210 Buddhist Art in East Asia
How are narratives transformed from texts into images? How are images brought to life, becoming more than mute blocks of stone or colors on paper? How can we best reconstruct and understand these past visual experiences? Through classroom discussion and close examination of key East Asian Buddhist artworks, this course introduces students to the unexpected conceptual interest within the cultural context of East Asia. Each week is devoted to the discussion of a particular keyword, beginning with the basics such as 鈥淏uddha鈥� and 鈥渂odhisattva鈥� and proceeding towards more specialized terms including 鈥減ure land鈥� and 鈥渕andala.鈥� In conjunction with the investigation of keywords in Buddhist art, we will also address theories of iconography, space, spectatorship, ritual, etc. The class will also view Buddhist artworks in the Trout Gallery.
This course is cross-listed as ARTH 210.
Attributes: Arts, Chinese Humanities Elective, East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity, Humanities, Japanese Humanities Elective
236 Japanese Society
This course is an introduction to contemporary Japanese society. The course examines what everyday life is like in Japan from anthropological and historical perspectives. It explores such major social institutions as families, gender, communities, workplaces, and belief systems. The course focuses as well on the ways in which modernization has affected these institutions and the identities of Japanese people.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity, Social Sciences
259 Law, Politics, and Society in Asia
This course examines the interaction between law, legal institutions and citizens in China, Japan, and India. Covering history and the contemporary scene, course focuses on how law works in practice and is understood and used by ordinary people in Asia. It covers areas such as marriage and divorce, the legal profession, lost property, civil rights, the environment, sexuality, mediation, land development and property, among others. Comparisons between the United States and Asia, as well as between Asian countries, will be emphasized.
This course is cross-listed as POSC 259 and LAWP 259.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, Comparative Poli Sci Course, East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity, LAWP Law Elective, Social Sciences
305 Colloquium in East Asian Humanities
Intensive discussion of topics in East Asian Humanities. Designed for majors and for non-majors who have taken courses in related fields. Topics include: Chinese Culture in 'The Dream of the Red Chamber', Strange Stories from a Chinese studio, Issues of Identity among Asian-Americans, the films of Akira Kurosawa, Images of Japan in the West, Issues of Love and Gender in Modern Japanese Literature, Kyoto School Philosophy, Japanese Landscape Architecture.
Prerequisite: East Asian Studies department majors and non-majors who have taken courses in related fields or permission of the instructor; dependent upon topic.
Attributes: East Asian Humanities Elective, Global Diversity, Writing in the Discipline
306 Colloquium on East Asian Society
Intensive discussion of topics on East Asian Society. Designed for majors and for non-majors who have taken courses in related fields. Topics include: Beijing and Shanghai: A Tale of Two Cities, Sino-Japanese Wars, Chinese Emperors, the Chinese Diaspora, Marriage Laws in Modern China, Meiji Restoration, Aristocracy in Ancient Japan, Samurai Culture, Japanese Constitutions.
Prerequisite: East Asian Studies majors and non-majors who have taken courses in related fields or permission of the instructor; dependent upon topic.
Attributes: East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity, Social Sciences, Writing in the Discipline
310 Interpreting the Chinese Cultural Revolution
This seminar examines the varying approaches and methodologies scholars have adopted in studying the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976), one of the most important political events in modern Chinese history. While the course does cover some history, its approach is mainly analytical to formulate effective research results. How can we know if a certain methodology is appropriate? How have primary and secondary sources been used to understand this complex event? The goal is to teach students about what happened during the Cultural Revolution and how scholars have studied it.
Prerequisite: 101. Offered every two years.
Attributes: East Asian Social Sci Elective, Global Diversity, Social Sciences
480 Critical Dialogues in East Asian Studies
To help prepare students for completing their senior research project, this course introduces current dialogues and research strategies in East Asian Studies. Students will study influential scholarly texts on and from the region and apply insights gleaned from them toward analysis of primary source data. Students will also learn to better identify and evaluate competing views presented by secondary sources. By the end of the course, students will have chosen a research topic, identified suitable sources, and developed a proposal for their senior project. The content and direction of the course will reflect the research interests of students and the instructor.
Prerequisite: EASN, CHIN or JPNS major and 200-level EASN course.
490 Senior Research
Leading to a senior thesis and jointly supervised by at least two faculty in the program.
Chinese
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from Dickinson, Chinese majors will be able to:
- identify a research topic of importance to the field of East Asian studies, formulate a research question to explore, and develop a compelling argument supported by clearly explained evidence, including the use of material in Chinese;
- analyze and critically evaluate the scholarship on a topic relevant to East Asian studies and existing scholarship using evidence and logic;
- communicate proficiently in Chinese at the ACTFL level of intermediate high in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Major
Required Language Courses
CHIN 101, 102, 201, 202, 231, 232, 361
Required Topics Courses*
One CHIN Humanities Elective
One CHIN Social Science Elective
One Additional CHIN Elective (Social Science OR Humanities OR Advanced Language course)
300-level Seminar on China (WiD)
Capstone Courses
EASN 480 and 490
*On country of target language or transnational East Asia
Minor
Chinese 201 and 202 (or the equivalent coursework or placement) and two language courses above 202. One additional, 300-level (or higher) language course or one non-language East Asian course on the region of their linguistic specialization (or on transnational East Asia).
Suggested curricular flow through the major
The Chinese major is designed to ensure a strong foundation in Chinese language and culture for on-campus course work and study abroad. To that end, at least one semester of Advanced Chinese is required (CHIN 361). Students who enter the college with prior instruction in or knowledge of Chinese may enroll in the language course suitable to their needs. The Chinese program offers four levels of language instruction, from elementary to the advanced, with the possibility of further independent study. One of the electives required for the major can be an advanced language course (e.g. CHIN 362 or similar level course abroad). We strongly encourage students to take advantage of the option to spend one or two semesters abroad, normally during their junior year. Most students take this option at our partner institutions: Beijing University or Yunnan University in Southern China.
Students normally begin their major with language classes and electives at the 200 level. Students are required to take electives in both the humanities and social sciences. EAS also offers a range of 300-level courses designed to prepare students for the research and independent study at the core of the department’s capstone Senior Research sequence (EASN 480 and 490), typically taken in a student’s senior year. Here is a guide to the kinds of suggested courses a typical EAS major takes during the four years:
First and Sophomore Years
Chinese language courses through 202
Two 200-level courses in the humanities and/or social sciences
Junior Year
Study abroad for one or two semesters
Additional 200-level electives and requirements
300-level course if on campus
Senior Year
300-level course during the fall semester (if not already taken)
Complete EASN 480 in the fall in preparation for the EASN 490 research seminar in the spring
For information regarding the suggested guidelines, please feel free to contact the chair of EAS or any member of the Chinese program.
Honors
Honors within the major is determined by the quality of the senior thesis, which must display outstanding writing and analytical skills, and mastery of the research subject and its context. In addition to the written thesis, honors in Chinese takes into account GPA within the major, overall GPA, the oral presentation of the thesis project, and the fielding of questions, but is neither precluded nor guaranteed by them. On the basis of a composite of these factors, the East Asian Studies faculty may decide to award honors to deserving students. Students interested in honors are encouraged to talk to their advisors no later than fall pause of their senior year for guidance to help them craft a thesis project able to meet the standards. Students who receive honors will be notified before the Thursday preceding graduation.
Courses
101 Elementary Chinese
A study of the fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese, including grammar, reading, and writing using both traditional and simplified characters, pinyin romanization, pronunciation, and conversational skills.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year
102 Elementary Chinese
A study of the fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese, including grammar, reading, and writing using both traditional and simplified characters, pinyin romanization, pronunciation, and conversational skills.
Prerequisite: 101 or the equivalent
201 Intermediate Chinese
An enhancement of the oral and written skills of elementary language study. In addition, students will learn to use dictionaries to translate original literary works. Extra conversational work will be included, geared to understanding and participating in Chinese culture.
Prerequisite: 102 or the equivalent.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year
202 Intermediate Chinese
An enhancement of the oral and written skills of elementary language study. In addition, students will learn to use dictionaries to translate original literary works. Extra conversational work will be included, geared to understanding and participating in Chinese culture.
Prerequisite: 201 or the equivalent. This course fulfills the language graduation requirement.
231 Advanced Chinese
Advanced reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of the Chinese language for students who have completed Chinese 202. This course aims to enhance the students' understanding of Chinese culture and introduce them to issues in contemporary China through reading and discussion.
Prerequisite: 202 or the equivalent
232 Advanced Chinese
Advanced reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of the Chinese language for students who have completed Chinese 202. This course aims to enhance the students' understanding of Chinese culture and introduce them to issues in contemporary China through reading and discussion.
Prerequisite: 231 or the equivalent
361 Advanced Chinese II
Reading of selected literary works by modern Chinese writers and articles from Chinese newspapers and magazines. These courses involve more sophisticated conversation and composition on important social, political, and economics issues in China.
Prerequisite: 232 or permission of the instructor.
Attributes: INST Asia Course
362 Advanced Chinese II
Reading of selected literary works by modern Chinese writers and articles from Chinese newspapers and magazines. These courses involve more sophisticated conversation and composition on important social, political, and economics issues in China.
Prerequisite: 361 or permission of the instructor.
Japanese
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from Dickinson, Japanese majors will be able to:
- identify a research topic of importance to the field of East Asian studies, formulate a research question to explore, and develop a compelling argument supported by clearly explained evidence, including the use of material in Japanese;
- analyze and critically evaluate the scholarship on a topic relevant to East Asian studies and existing scholarship using evidence and logic;
- communicate proficiently in Japanese at the ACTFL level of intermediate high in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Major
Required Language Courses
101, 102, 201, 202, 231, 232, 361
Required Topics Courses*
One JPNS Humanities Elective
One JPNS Social Science Elective
One Additional JPNS Elective (Social Science OR Humanities OR Advanced Language course)
300-level Seminar on Japan (WiD)
Capstone Courses
EASN 480 and 490
*On country of target language or transnational East Asia
Minor
Japanese 201 and 202 (or the equivalent coursework or placement) and two language courses above 202. One additional, 300-level (or higher) language course or one non-language East Asian course on the region of their linguistic specialization (or on transnational East Asia).
Suggested curricular flow through the major
The Japanese major is designed to ensure a strong foundation in Japanese language and culture for on-campus course work and study abroad. To that end, at least one semester of Advanced Japanese is required (JPNS 361). Students who enter the college with prior instruction in or knowledge of Japanese may enroll in the language course suitable to their needs. The Japanese program offers four levels of language instruction, from elementary to the advanced, with the possibility of further independent study. One of the electives required for the major can be an advanced language course (e.g. JPNS 362 or similar level course abroad). We strongly encourage students to take advantage of the option to spend one or two semesters abroad, normally during their junior year. Most students take this option at our partner institutions: Nanzan University in Nagoya (Central Japan) or Akita International University in Northern Japan.
Students normally begin their major with language classes and electives at the 200 level. Students are required to take electives in both the humanities and social sciences. EAS also offers a range of 300-level courses designed to prepare students for the research and independent study at the core of the department’s capstone Senior Research sequence (EASN 480 and 490), typically taken in a student’s senior year. Here is a guide to the kinds of suggested courses a typical EAS major takes during the four years:
First and Sophomore Years
Japanese language courses through 202
Two 200-level courses in the humanities and/or social sciences
Junior Year
Study abroad for one or two semesters
Additional 200-level electives and requirements
300-level course if on campus
Senior Year
300-level course during the fall semester (if not already taken)
Complete EASN 480 in the fall in preparation for the EASN 490 research seminar in the spring
For information regarding the suggested guidelines, please feel free to contact the chair of EAS or any member of the Japanese program.
Honors
Honors within the major is determined by the quality of the senior thesis, which must display outstanding writing and analytical skills, and mastery of the research subject and its context. In addition to the written thesis, honors in Japanese takes into account GPA within the major, overall GPA, the oral presentation of the thesis project, and the fielding of questions, but is neither precluded nor guaranteed by them. On the basis of a composite of these factors, the East Asian Studies faculty may decide to award honors to deserving students. Students interested in honors are encouraged to talk to their advisors no later than fall pause of their senior year for guidance to help them craft a thesis project able to meet the standards. Students who receive honors will be notified before the Thursday preceding graduation.
Courses
101 Elementary Japanese
These courses establish the basic language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing. These courses also provide students with a brief overview of Japanese culture.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year
102 Elementary Japanese
These courses establish the basic language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing. These courses also provide students with a brief overview of Japanese culture.
Prerequisite: 101 or permission of instructor
201 Intermediate Japanese
The aim of this course is the mastery of the basic structure of Japanese language and communicative skills. The student will have an opportunity to get to know more of Japanese culture.
Prerequisite: 102 or permission of the instructor.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year
202 Intermediate Japanese
The aim of this course is the mastery of the basic structure of Japanese language and communicative skills. The student will have an opportunity to get to know more of Japanese culture.
Prerequisite: 201 or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the language graduation requirement.
231 Advanced Japanese
The emphasis in this course is placed on enhancing the students' fluency and acquiring increasingly creative skills through composition, oral presentation and discussion.
Prerequisite: 202 or permission of the instructor.
232 Advanced Japanese
The emphasis in this course is placed on enhancing the students' fluency and acquiring increasingly creative skills through composition, oral presentation and discussion.
Prerequisite: 231 or permission of the instructor.
361 Advanced Japanese II
The emphasis in this course is placed on polishing and refining the students' language skills. Emphasis is placed on covering more sophisticated materials such as newspapers, magazine articles, film and literature.
Prerequisite: 232 or permission of the instructor.
362 Advanced Japanese II
The emphasis in this course is placed on polishing and refining the students' language skills. Emphasis is placed on covering more sophisticated materials such as newspapers, magazine articles, film and literature.
Prerequisite: 361 or permission of the instructor.