Asian Studies Program At Drew

ANTH 4/Cultural Diversity: Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics, Section 2 ONLY (with Asian emphasis).  Lefferts. MWF 10-11:05.  Comparative examination of the cultural diversity of humanity, focusing on Asian half, in both Asia and the rest of the world.  Case studies of peoples in or from Asia in differing contexts, examining differing subsistence strategies, political, social, and economic systems, religion and expressive behavior, language, culture change, and the intersections of cultures.

ANTH 54/Southeast Asian Political and Cultural Systems. Lefferts. TTH 1:15-2:30.  Survey of the backgrounds and current situations in Indonesia: Timor, Aceh, President “Gus Dur”; Burma (Mynmar): SLORC, the NLD and Aung san Suu Kyi, PRC, etc; Vietnam: doi moi,
Communism, human rights; the kingdoms of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia (including
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed, UMNO, and Islam); the Philippines and democracy;
Singapore and “dictator” Lee Kuen Yew; and Brunei dar es Salaam, the world’s richest
nation.  Also addresses regional and international groupings, such as ASEAN, APEC, the role of the UN, and the paradox of US interest in the region.

ART 112/REL 60/Seminar in Asian Religions: Japanese Art and Religion S. Lee. W 1:15-3:45. Through the study of art history, the course will explore aspects of Japanese art in religious and everyday contexts. Ceramics and the tea ceremony will be a focus. Will offer comparisons with Chinese and Korean art as well.

ASST 23/Selected Topics in Asian Studies: Introduction to Chinese Literature in Translation. Lian Duan. T Th 2:40-3:55.  (course description will be available soon)

ECON 133/Advanced Economic Development Theory: East Asia. Block.  TTH 10:25-11:40. 
This course will focus on the political economy of fast economic growth in East Asia.  We will discuss topics such as the role of the state in the development process, export orientation, women's labor marketdiscrimination, income inequality and the recent financial crisis. 

REL 35/Religions of China and Japan. K. Prentiss. TTh 11:50-1:05.  Introduction to the
history, literature, and practices of major religions of East Asia, including Confucianism,
Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto. Emphasis on primary sources in translation. Includes
Experiential Learning field trips and events. 

REL 149/Women in Asian Religions. K. Prentiss. TTh 10:25-11:40. Examines critically the
participation of women in Asian religions. Topics include the nature of Goddesses, the social identity of women as wives and mothers and the religious support or critique of these roles, stories and works of women spiritual leaders, and feminist criticism on understanding women in religion.

MUS 35/Music of the World's Religions. Anne Yardley. Includes material on ritual and music in Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Language Courses:

CHIN 2/Beginning Chinese.  L. Duan.  MWF 10:00-11:05. Introduction to Chinese (II) with
emphasis on four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Lab times also required.
Prerequisite: CHIN 1

CHIN 150/Independent Studies in Chinese. L. Duan.  Days and hours to be arranged.  An
advanced course. Requirements include translation, written and oral reports in Chinese. 
Prerequisites: CHIN 100, or Equivalent.