100-199 Introductory Courses

ASIA 124 – Iranian Post-1979 Cinema (3):

We examine the ways the medium has been used to incorporate political and social perspectives, challenge the government, and document the lives and struggles of Iranian people. Among the topics explored are Iranian culture and society, gender politics, ethnicity, attitudes about religion, role of children, and various schools of realism. Previously offered as ASIA 224.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-E5

ASIA 124 – Iranian Post-1979 Cinema (3):

We examine the ways the medium has been used to incorporate political and social perspectives, challenge the government, and document the lives and struggles of Iranian people. Among the topics explored are Iranian culture and society, gender politics, ethnicity, attitudes about religion, role of children, and various schools of realism. Previously offered as ASIA 224.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-E5

ASIA 126 – Introduction to Persian Literature (3):

This course introduces students to Persian literature from classical to contemporary writers in translation to help them understand the efforts of the Iranian literati in addressing issues surrounding love, the sacred, human diversity, inclusiveness, and the rise of the modern nation-state in Iran through the use of literature.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-CI

ASIA 126 – Introduction to Persian Literature (3):

This course introduces students to Persian literature from classical to contemporary writers in translation to help them understand the efforts of the Iranian literati in addressing issues surrounding love, the sacred, human diversity, inclusiveness, and the rise of the modern nation-state in Iran through the use of literature.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-CI

ASIA 127 (WGST 127) – Iranian Women Writers (3):

This course introduces students to Iranian women's issues through their literary works. To contextualize, we will read articles and essays on the historical, cultural, social, political, and economic backgrounds. In order to approach these literary works in a more effective manner, we will also be reading various secondary materials.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-CI

ASIA 127 (WGST 127) – Iranian Women Writers (3):

This course introduces students to Iranian women's issues through their literary works. To contextualize, we will read articles and essays on the historical, cultural, social, political, and economic backgrounds. In order to approach these literary works in a more effective manner, we will also be reading various secondary materials.
Instructor(s): Dr. Claudia Yaghoobi Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-CI

ASIA 131 (HIST 131) – Southeast Asia to the Early 19th Century (3):

The history of Southeast Asia from prehistory to "high imperialism." Long-term political, economic, social, and religious developments, including Indianization, the impact of China, and the first contacts with Europeans. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 132 (HIST 132) – Modern Southeast Asia (3):

The history of Southeast Asia from the 19th century to the present. Long-term political, economic, social, and intellectual questions, including the impact of imperialism, the rise of nationalism, the transformation of the economy, the Cold War, and the coherence of Southeast Asia as a region. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 132 (HIST 132) – Modern Southeast Asia (3):

The history of Southeast Asia from the 19th century to the present. Long-term political, economic, social, and intellectual questions, including the impact of imperialism, the rise of nationalism, the transformation of the economy, the Cold War, and the coherence of Southeast Asia as a region. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 133 (HIST 133) – Introduction to Chinese History (3):

Chinese history from its beginnings to the present, organized around the central theme of how the identity of China and 'Chineseness' was created. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 133 (HIST 133) – Introduction to Chinese History (3):

Chinese history from its beginnings to the present, organized around the central theme of how the identity of China and 'Chineseness' was created. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 134 (HIST 134) – Modern East Asia (3):

Comparative and interdisciplinary introduction to China and Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on impact of the West, nation building, industrialization, and evolution of mass society. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 135 (HIST 135) – History of the Indian Subcontinent to 1750 (3):

An introduction to major political, religious, social, and cultural events from 3500 BCE to 1750 CE with a focus on Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist groups before British colonial rule. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 135 (HIST 135) – History of the Indian Subcontinent to 1750 (3):

An introduction to major political, religious, social, and cultural events from 3500 BCE to 1750 CE with a focus on Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist groups before British colonial rule. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 136 (HIST 136) – History of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh: South Asia since 1750 (3):

This course is an introduction to modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. We will investigate major political, social, economic, and cultural issues from 1750 to the present. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 138 (HIST 138) – History of Muslim Societies to 1500 (3):

A broad, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary introduction to the traditional civilization of the Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both HIST 138/ASIA 138 and ASIA 180/RELI 180. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 139 (HIST 139) – History of Muslim Societies since 1500 (3):

A broad interdisciplinary survey of the later Islamic empires since the 15th century and their successor societies in the modern Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both ASIA 139/HIST 139 and ASIA 181/RELI 181. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 139 (HIST 139) – History of Muslim Societies since 1500 (3):

A broad interdisciplinary survey of the later Islamic empires since the 15th century and their successor societies in the modern Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both ASIA 139/HIST 139 and ASIA 181/RELI 181. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 150 – Asia: An Introduction (3):

The course introduces Asia's historical, cultural, and political diversity by examining some of the global forces that have shaped Asian societies (e.g., colonialism, orientalism, and neoliberalism). Special Notes: Foundation course for interdisciplinary Asian Studies track.
Instructor(s): Dr. Dwayne Dixon
Offered: Fall; sometimes Maymester Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-SS, CON-BN, CON-GL

ASIA 150 – Asia: An Introduction (3):

The course introduces Asia's historical, cultural, and political diversity by examining some of the global forces that have shaped Asian societies (e.g., colonialism, orientalism, and neoliberalism). Special Notes: Foundation course for interdisciplinary Asian Studies track.
Instructor(s): Dr. Dwayne Dixon
Offered: Fall; sometimes Maymester Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-SS, CON-BN, CON-GL

ASIA 151 – Literature and Society in Southeast Asia (3):

This course is an introduction to the societies of Southeast Asia through literature. Background materials and films will supplement the comparative study of traditional works, novels, short stories, and poems. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN

ASIA 151 – Literature and Society in Southeast Asia (3):

This course is an introduction to the societies of Southeast Asia through literature. Background materials and films will supplement the comparative study of traditional works, novels, short stories, and poems. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN

ASIA 152 – Survey of South Asian Cultural History (3):

Readings from diverse disciplines illuminate the broad features of South Asia throughout history. Topics include political history and social thought, including gender and caste, and religious and imaginative literature.
Instructor(s): Dr. Pamela Lothspeich Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 152 – Survey of South Asian Cultural History (3):

Readings from diverse disciplines illuminate the broad features of South Asia throughout history. Topics include political history and social thought, including gender and caste, and religious and imaginative literature.
Instructor(s): Dr. Pamela Lothspeich Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 163 – Hindi-Urdu Poetry in Performance (3):

This course examines the connection between poetry and performance in the context of Hindi-Urdu literature, particularly the genres of Sufi poetry (qawwali), Bhakti poetry, and the Ghazal.
Instructor(s): Dr. Afroz Taj Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN

ASIA 163 – Hindi-Urdu Poetry in Performance (3):

This course examines the connection between poetry and performance in the context of Hindi-Urdu literature, particularly the genres of Sufi poetry (qawwali), Bhakti poetry, and the Ghazal.
Instructor(s): Dr. Afroz Taj Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-LA, CON-BN

ASIA 164 (MUSC 164) – Music of South Asia (3):

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the music of South Asia, focusing on India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The entire spectrum of musical genres will be covered.
Instructor(s): Dr. John Caldwell Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-VP, CON-BN

ASIA 164 (MUSC 164) – Music of South Asia (3):

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the music of South Asia, focusing on India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The entire spectrum of musical genres will be covered.
Instructor(s): Dr. John Caldwell Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-VP, CON-BN

ASIA 167 (WGST 167) – Gender, Sexuality, and Social Justice in South Asia (3):

This course explores questions of ethics, justice, and inequality with respect to gender in modern South Asia. Each unit will probe a different aspect of social justice in order to understand the histories, politics, and expressive cultures of various disempowered communities. Intersections between gender and ethics, politics, sexuality, caste, class, and the environment will be studied in depth.
Instructor(s): Dr. Afroz Taj Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-PH, CON-BN

ASIA 167 (WGST 167) – Gender, Sexuality, and Social Justice in South Asia (3):

This course explores questions of ethics, justice, and inequality with respect to gender in modern South Asia. Each unit will probe a different aspect of social justice in order to understand the histories, politics, and expressive cultures of various disempowered communities. Intersections between gender and ethics, politics, sexuality, caste, class, and the environment will be studied in depth.
Instructor(s): Dr. Afroz Taj Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-PH, CON-BN

ASIA 180 (RELI 180) – Introduction to Islamic Civilization (3):

A broad, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary introduction to the traditional civilization of the Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both RELI 180/ASIA 180 and ASIA 138/HIST 138. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 180 (RELI 180) – Introduction to Islamic Civilization (3):

A broad, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary introduction to the traditional civilization of the Muslim world. Students may not receive credit for both RELI 180/ASIA 180 and ASIA 138/HIST 138. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 181 (RELI 181) – Modern Muslim Societies (3):

This course surveys important developments in modern Muslim societies since the 16th century and up to the present. Topics covered include Muslim experiences with colonialism and nationalism, modernist reform movements, fundamentalism, women's activism and changes in Qur'an interpretation, Islamic law, and religious practice. Students may not receive credit for both RELI 181/ASIA 181 and ASIA 139/HIST 139. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 181 (RELI 181) – Modern Muslim Societies (3):

This course surveys important developments in modern Muslim societies since the 16th century and up to the present. Topics covered include Muslim experiences with colonialism and nationalism, modernist reform movements, fundamentalism, women's activism and changes in Qur'an interpretation, Islamic law, and religious practice. Students may not receive credit for both RELI 181/ASIA 181 and ASIA 139/HIST 139. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): APP-HS, CON-BN

ASIA 183 (RELI 183) – Asian Religions (3):

An introduction to major religions of South Asia and East Asia, such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): CON-BN, CON-WB

ASIA 183 (RELI 183) – Asian Religions (3):

An introduction to major religions of South Asia and East Asia, such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. Making Connections Gen-Ed(s): CON-BN, CON-WB