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Asian Studies
Director of Asian Studies Program: Gordon Thompson
Affiliated Faculty:
Anthropology: Eileen Walsh
Art History: Robert Linrothe
Chinese: Mao Chen, George Qingzhi Zhao
English: Rajagopal Parthasarathy
Government: Steven Hoffmann
History: Margaret Pearson, Tillman Nechtman
Japanese: Masako Inamoto, Masami Tamagawa
Music: Lei Ouyang Bryant, Veena Chandra, Gordon Thompson
Philosophy and Religion: Joel Smith
The student majoring in Asian studies examines multiple facets
of the cultures, traditions, and contemporary realities of
Asian countries and peoples. The Asian Studies Program (major
and minor) is interdisciplinary, with a significant linguistic
component, and opportunities for direct experience with an
Asian culture. For the major, a student may choose a concentration
in either East Asia (China and/or Japan) or South Asia (India).
THE ASIAN STUDIES MAJOR
East Asia Concentration (a total of thirty-two to thirty-four credit hours)
Language. At least four semesters of Chinese or Japanese
at Skidmore or approved programs. Students are encouraged
to spend a year in an approved program in China or Japan,
and to continue their language studies throughout the major.
Foundation. One course in each of two of the following
categories, focusing on China or Japan. (Note: Not all AS Foundation courses
fulfill all-College Breadth requirements; please consult individual course descriptions.)
Study in China or Japan: continuing
language instruction and practice; varying culture courses
and internships, for at least three 300-level credits on China
or Japan. Or
At Skidmore: At least three credits
at the 300 level in Asian studies; electives will continue
language study and develop comparative and disciplinary focus.
Senior Year. At least six credits at the 300 level, three
of which are to be an independent study during the spring
semester, taken in conjunction with AS375,
Asian Studies Seminar, where the research paper written in
the independent study and a range of issues will be discussed.
Some students who have done prior research may submit the
independent study research paper as a thesis.
South Asia Concentration (a total of thirty-two to thirty-four credit hours)
Language. Students are encouraged to participate in Skidmore's
Semester in India Program or another approved program in South
Asia, and to continue their language study throughout the
major. Students choose one of the following two options:
eight credit hours of Hindi in
Skidmore's Semester-in-India Program or another approved India program, plus two courses of
self-instructional Hindi at Skidmore.
eight credit hours of Hindi in
Skidmore's Semester-in-India Program or another approved India program, plus two culture courses
on India (in addition to courses that fulfill other requirements
for the major) at Skidmore from the list of approved courses
for the major.
Study in India in Skidmore's Semester-in-India
Program or another approved program; language study and practice;
varying culture courses, for at least three 300-level credits
on South Asia. Or
At Skidmore: At least three credits
at the 300 level in Asian studies; electives will continue
language study and develop comparative and disciplinary focus.
Senior Year. At least six credits at the 300 level, three
of which are to be an independent study during the spring
semester, taken in conjunction with AS375,
where the research paper written in the independent study
and a range of issues will be discussed. Some students who
have done prior research may submit the independent study
research paper as a thesis.
†Recommended for both concentrations:
Completion of all-college requirements and disciplinary prerequisites for
advanced courses by the end of the sophomore year.
HONORS: For honors in Asian studies, a student must earn a
3.0 or better cumulative GPA in all courses taken at Skidmore,
a 3.5 or better in all courses taken for the Asian studies
major, and a grade of A or A- on an approved senior thesis.
With the approval of the Asian studies director and faculty,
a student may write a thesis in the senior year to be directed
by a member of the Asian studies faculty, with one additional
reader.
THE ASIAN STUDIES MINOR consists of eighteen credit hours
approved by the director of Asian studies from the designated
Asian studies courses listed below, including at least three
credits at the 300 level. Up to eight credit hours of an Asian
language (Chinese or Japanese or Hindi when done in Skidmore's
India Program) may count toward the minor. Approved courses taken
in Beijing, Tokyo, and Nagoya through the IES program;
all courses in the Semester-in-India Program, Skidmore in Beijing Program,
and other preapproved courses taken abroad can be counted toward the minor.
Asian Studies Curriculum
JIAS 101, 102. LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE IN INDIA 4, 4
Introduction to the Hindi language
as a social artifact through study of basic grammar, composition,
conversation, and readings. After a three-week period of traditional
intensive classroom study, students will supplement continuing
classroom study with homestays, field trips, and the use of
Hindi in everyday life and travel. Offered each fall in
India.
JIAS 201. HISTORICAL,
CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF INDIAN DEVELOPMENT 3
An overview of the historical development of contemporary
India with emphasis on the interaction of the diverse strands
that have formed modern India. In addition to the study of
the literature of various periods, the course will draw on
the historical and cultural resources of Jaipur and other
sites in India. Offered each fall in India.
JIAS 202. CONTEMPORARY
ISSUES IN INDIAN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 3
Introduction to contemporary Indian society, economics, and
politics by examining such issues as the relationship between
rural and urban life, the role of caste, the status of women,
the changing character of the family, the role of science
and technology, and the legacy of Gandhian thought and practice.
Offered each fall in India.
JIAS 204, 205. INTERMEDIATE
HINDI 4,4
Continuing study of the structures of the Hindi language. Extensive
practice in conversation and writing. Vocabulary building through the
reading of appropriate texts in the culture and literature.
Prerequisite: Beginning-level knowledge of Hindi to be evaluated upon
arrival in India. Offered each fall in India.
JIAS 251. TOPICS IN
INDIA 1–4
An examination at the introductory or intermediate level of a selected
topic pertinent to the issues of Indian culture and society. Specific
topics to vary by instructor and semester.
JIAS 351. ADVANCED TOPICS IN
INDIA 1–4
An examination at the advanced level of a selected topic pertinent to
the issues of Indian culture and society. Specific topics to vary by
instructor and semester.
AS 371, 372. INDEPENDENT
STUDY 3,3
Individual study under the direction of Asian studies faculty.
AS 375. ASIAN STUDIES SEMINAR 1
A seminar required of all Asian
studies majors in the spring semester of their senior year.
The course will involve discussion of the theoretical underpinnings
of Asian studies, reflection on methods, and exchange of perspectives
across disciplinary and regional concentration. Specific topics
and readings will vary from year to year. Asian Studies Program Director.
JAS 376. INDEPENDENT
FIELDWORK PROJECT IN INDIA 3
An independent research project
designed by the student to be executed in India with guidance
from one or more Indian advisors. The project must be designed
before leaving for India in consultation with appropriate
Skidmore advisors, and the project design must be approved
by the resident faculty advisor in India. Offered each
fall in India.
Note: Often there are new or special topic courses that count for
Asian Studies that aren’t included in the list below. Contact the
Director of Asian Studies for information about other Asian Studies
courses.
AH 105 Survey of Asian Art: South and Southeast Asian and Himalayan AH 106 Survey of Asian Art: East Asia AH 200 Hindu Art AH 204 Japanese Art AH 209 Islamic Art AH 210 Chinese Painting AH 211 Tibetan Art AH 311 Buddhist Art of East Asia AH 312 Ancient Chinese Art AH 314 Buddhist Art of South Asia AH 375G Seminar in Art History: Asian AN 245 The Mao Years: Gender and Revolution in China AN 351C Creating Desire: Ethnic Tourism in Asia DA 212 Non-Western Dance Forms I A.Bharata Natyam I B.Kathak E.T'ai Chi DA 303 Non-Western Dance Forms II A.Bharata Natyam II FC 101 Elementary Chinese I FC 102 Elementary Chinese II FC 203 Intermediate Chinese FC 204 Business Chinese FC 206 Chinese Language and Culture FC 208 Advanced Chinese Culture and Composition FC 220 Language Across the Curriculum FC 271,
272 Chinese Language and Literature Discussion FC 302 Modern China FC 363 Special Studies in Chinese FJ 101 Elementary Japanese I FJ 102 Elementary Japanese II FJ 203 Intermediate Japanese FJ 206 Japanese Language and Culture FJ 207 Advanced Intermediate Japanese I FJ 208 Advanced Intermediate Japanese II FJ 220 Language Across the Curriculum FJ 271,
272 Japanese Language and Literature Discussion FJ 363 Special Studies in Japanese FL 241 Pre-Modern Japanese Literature in Translation FL 242 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation FL 243 The World of Japanese Animation FL 244 Viewing China: Visual Culture and Transnational Cinema FL 245 China and the West: The Myth of the Other FL 246 Fictional and Factual History and the Novel in China FL 257 Modern Chinese Literature in Translation FL 258 Chinese Civilization I: Literary Culture in Classical China FL 259 Chinese Civilization II: Culture and Literature of Late Imperial China FL 267 Modern Japanese Culture and Society FL 269 Cultural China: Trends and Themes FX 171,
172,
271,
272 Self-Instructional Hindi or Korean GO 240 Political Modernization: The Case of India GO 319 What the United States Does Wrong in the World: Views from India and Answers from Washington GO 344 Comparative Politics and Culture: India and Japan HI 142 Introduction to Modern China HI 241 Introduction to Imperial China HI 247 The Rise of Japan HI 316 Empires in India HI 343 The Chinese Revolution HI 347 Japan: Samurai, Weavers, Writers, and Prostitutes HI 363E Topics in History: Chinese History HI 363F Topics in History: Japanese History HI 375G Colloquia in History: "Chinese History" HI 375H Colloquia in History: "Japanese History" MP 281 Private Musical Instruction: Sitar and Tabla MU 205B Music and Chairman Mao MU 309 Music in South Asia MU 345N Music and Culture in East Asia PR 214 Philosophies of India PH 215 Buddhist Philosophy PR 325 Japanese Buddhism PR 326 Tibetan Buddhism RE 213 Religious Traditions of India RE 220 Encountering the Goddess in India WS 227 Holding Up Half the Sky: Gender, Writing, and Nationhood in China
