Asian Languages and Literatures
Chair: Associate Professor Mark Hansell
Professors: Mariko Kaga, Kathryn W. Sparling, Qiguang Zhao
Associate Professor: Mark Hansell
Instructors: Ping Fu, Noboru Tomonari
Visiting Instructor: Tomoko Hoogenboom
The department of Asian Languages and Literatures offers introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in Chinese and Japanese language, plus a variety of courses in traditional and modern Chinese and Japanese literature in English translation and some linguistics courses related to Asian Languages. Accommodation can be made for students who can speak, but cannot read or write the languages. At the intermediate level, students are encouraged to participate in one of several approved academic programs in China or Japan. A major in Chinese or Japanese is available by petition. From time to time, the department also hosts courses in South Asian Languages and Literatures.
Certificate of Advanced Study in Foreign Language and Literature or Area Studies: In order to receive the Certificate of Advanced Study in Asian Languages students must fulfill the general requirements (refer to Academic Regulations) in the following course distribution: six courses beyond 204, choosing either Japanese or Chinese as the target language. At least four of the six courses must be taught in the target language; at least one must be a course in literature or linguistics related to the target language and taught in English, and the remaining course may be chosen from either category.
Language Houses: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language by living in the Language House. The Associate is a native speaker, and students organize and participate in numerous cultural activities in the language houses.
Asian Language Courses (ASLN)
LING 111. Writing Systems Cross-listed with ASLN 111. The structure and function of writing systems, with emphasis on a comparison of East Asian writing systems (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) to Western alphabetic systems. Topics covered include classification of writing systems, historical development, diffusion and borrowing of writing systems, and comparison with non-writing symbol systems. 6 credits cr., SS, Spring—M. Hansell
LING 180. The Japanese Language Cross-listed with ASLN 180. Cross-listed to ASLN 180. This course will examine some aspects of Japanese from the viewpoint of linguistic theory. It is not taught in Japanese, nor is it a course in which students will learn Japanese. Instead, we will look at the language in the same way that a biologist might look at a complicated organism, as an interesting object of study. We will examine its history, aspects of its structure, its use in social and artistic contexts. as well as its extraordinary writing system. Some knowledge of Japanese would be helpful, but is not required. No knowledge of linguistics will be presupposed. No prerequisites 6 credits cr., SS, Spring—M. Flynn
LING 260. Historical Linguistics Cross-listed with ASLN 260. Concepts and techniques of historical linguistics, especially methods used in the discovery of family relationships between languages and the reconstruction of ancestral forms. Other topics include grammatical, semantic, and lexical change, processes of sound change, language contact, and the use of linguistic evidence in cultural reconstruction. In addition to the more familiar Indo-European languages, data will come from Western Pacific and Australian languages, and especially East Asian languages. Prerequisite: previous experience in linguistics or instructor's permission. 6 credits cr., SS, Not offered in 2001-2002.
Chinese Courses (CHIN)
CHIN 115. The Taoist Way of Health and Longevity: Taichi and Other Forms We will study Taichi's theory, practice its movements, explore its invisible thoughts, and read texts concerning it. The course also includes other ways to health and longevity, such as traditional mind-breath meditation and other forms. This course stresses not only mental and physical well-being but also the philosophical roots of health and wisdom formulated in Chinese classics. All readings in English translation. No prerequisites. 6 credits cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—Q. Zhao
CHIN 204, 205. Intermediate Chinese Equal emphasis on the development of the four skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension, with special attention to activization. The college language requirement is met in Chinese with the completion of Chinese 205. 6 credits cr., ND, Fall,Winter—Q. Zhao
CHIN 206. Chinese in Cultural Context This course advances students' proficiency in oral and written Chinese, at the same time integrating elements of traditional Chinese civilization and modern Chinese society. Emphasis is on cultural understanding and appropriate language use. Prerequisite: Chinese 205 or equivalent. 6 credits cr., ND, Spring—Q. Zhao
CHIN 229. Studies in Chinese Art and Literature: The Dragon, The Mountain, and The Hare in the Moon Cross-listed with ARTH 229. This interdisciplinary course will study the arts and literature of traditional China with a focus upon selected themes. Among these are: The Dragon and Other Animals, the Land and Nature, Confucius, Lao Tzu,, and Buddhism. Both the nature and the role of visual and literary imagery will be examined by analyzing works of art and literature from the Shang Dynasty to the twentieth century. We will introduce students to the richness and the variety of Chinese culture as experienced in art and literature. Comparative studies will be made of Western art and literature in order to examine questions of societal values. 6 credits cr., AL,RAD, Winter—Q. Zhao, K. Ryor
CHIN 235. Beauty, Good, and Evil in Chinese Literature in Translation This course will focus on the themes of beauty, good, and evil in some well-known Tang and Song poems and tales, and modern short fiction by Lu Xun, Lao She, and other writers. The course will explore both modern and classical Chinese in its cultural and historical context. All readings in English translation. No prerequisites. 6 credits cr., AL,RAD, Not offered in 2001-2002.
CHIN 239. Chinese Contemporary Culture This class, taught in English, will examine the cultural changes in China in the last few decades through the media of literature, film, and other popular genres. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—Staff
CHIN 240. Chinese Cinema In Translation This course introduces students to a sampling of films made in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and examines the cinematic representation of Great China considering both local contexts and global connections. This course will analyze the visual-aural spectacles and their aesthetic merits against a backdrop of materials that deal with political assertions, ideological underpinnings, historical conditions, social transformations, and cultural practices as represented in these non-Western visual texts. By studying the works of various filmmakers from different regions of China, students will become familiar with different and shared perspectives. The course is taught in English and all the course materials are in English, including films with English subtitles. Outside-classroom screenings, in-depth readings, papers, and quizzes will be required. No prerequisite. 6 cr., AL, Spring—P. Fu
CHIN 345. Advanced Readings in Chinese Literature: Selected Prose Introduction to well-known modern Chinese prose in the original, with exposure to a variety of themes, genres, and styles. Critical reading, writing, and discussion. Prerequisite: Chinese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
CHIN 346. Advanced Readings in Chinese Fiction Readings from well-known writers such as Ba Jin, Lao She, Lu Xun, Cao Xueqin and contemporary authors. The course will expose students to excerpts from modern Chinese novels and short stories. Emphasis on reading, writing, and speaking. Some practice in discussion, translation, review, literary criticism and dramatization. Some readings of classical fiction and other genres like essays and poetry will be included. Prerequisites: Chinese 206 or equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—Q. Zhao
CHIN 347. Advanced Readings in Contemporary Chinese Prose: Newspapers Readings from PRC and Taiwan newspapers will expose students to formal written Chinese. Emphasis is on vocabulary expansion, text comprehension strategies, and differences between colloquial and written usage. Active use of the language (including oral discussion and regular written compositions) will be stressed. Prerequisite: Chinese 206. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
CHIN 348. Advanced Chinese: The Mass Media This conversation and composition course will be centered around a Chinese feature film, with additional materials including TV shows, TV commercials, and written materials. Emphasis will be on culturally appropriate language use, and on discussion of the social issues that are implicitly and explicitly addressed on the Chinese-language media. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
CHIN 349. Advanced Chinese: Social Commentary This course will focus on increasing students' ability to read, write, and speak about contemporary social issues through readings, essay writing, oral presentations, and class discussion. Readings will be from leading twentieth century Chinese reformers and social critics. 6 credits cr., AL, Fall—M. Hansell
CHIN 350. Advanced Chinese: Poems and Stories Introduction to traditional and modern Chinese poems and short stories. The most beautiful poems ever written by the Chinese language help students to experience beauty, inspiration, and emotional purification. Selected stories read and discussed in detail will advance students' proficiency in oral and written Chinese. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
CHIN 351. Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese Students will read, write about, and discuss writings by contemporary Chinese authors. 6 credits cr., AL, Winter—Staff
Japanese Courses (JAPN)
JAPN 232. Japanese Autobiography in Translation This course examines a variety of Japanese self-narratives from the early modern years to the present. The main texts include Japanese autobiographies as well as background readings that situate the autobiographies in the cultural milieu. We focus largely on the social, historical and economic aspects of the Japanese of the Japanese autobiographies, and discuss their significance. In addition, some texts of oral history that take the form of first-person narratives are explored, in order to make further enquiry into various autobiographical representations of the self, class, gender, ethnicity, and society in Japan. 6 cr., RAD, Spring—N. Tomonari
JAPN 233. Modern Japanese Novel in Translation: Mothers/Daughters; Fathers/Sons Critical analysis of twentieth-century Japanese novels by Natsume Soseki, Tanizaki Junichiro, Kawabata Yasunari, Enchi Fumiko, Oe Kenzaburo, Tsushima Yuko and others, with special attention to the social and cultural context, and to reading strategies appropriate to that context. Most of the readings are from the 1960's or later, several of them are absolutely contemporary. All of them have to do with questions of identity, tradition, and generational change: what one might hope to pass on to one's real or metaphorical children, what one might hope to learn from one's real or metaphorical parents. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 234. Modern Japanese Novel in Translation Critical analysis of works by Soseki, Tanizaki, Kawabata, Mishima, and others, with attention to the social and cultural context, and to reading strategies appropriate to that context, syllabus varies. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—K. Sparling
JAPN 236. Classical Japanese Fiction: The Tale of Genji and Its World in Translation Cross-listed with WGST 236. A close look at the great classic of Japanese fiction, with special attention to literary and aesthetic traditions and to the social and cultural context of Heian Japan. 6 credits cr., AL,RAD, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 237. Literature and Arts of Japan: 1333-1868 in Translation Introduction to the poetry, drama, and fiction of two contrasting eras. From the Muromachi culture, centering on Kyoto and permeated by the esthetics of Zen Buddhism, the course will examine Noh drama, linked poetry, ink painting, tea ceremony, and garden architecture; from the vibrant, irreverent, urban culture of Edo, centering on Osaka and what is now Tokyo, it will focus on the kabuki and puppet theatres, haiku, comic fiction, and the woodblock prints of the Floating World. 6 credits cr., AL,RAD, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 239. Literature of Early Modern Japan in Translation A look at fiction and some poetry (in English translation) by such luminaries as Fubatei Shimei, Higuchi Ichiyo, Shimazaki Toson, and Natsume Soseki, whose collective task it was to define and create new forms, new themes, and even a new language appropriate to a modern literature for a new Japan after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. This period, as Japan looked to the West and prepared to take a place in the international community, saw the fastest and most radical social, political, technological, and cultural changes in Japan's two thousand years of history. The course looks at the role that literature and other arts played in that amazing transformation. 6 credit cr., AL, Winter—K. Sparling
JAPN 345. Advanced Reading in Modern Japanese Literature: The Short Story Introduction to modern Japanese short fiction in the original, with exposure to a variety of styles. Some practice in critical analysis and literary translation. Prerequisite: Japanese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 346. Advanced Reading in Modern Japanese Literature: Poetry and Drama Introduction to the poetry of Takamura Kotaro, Hagiwara Sakutaro, Miyazawa Kenji, and others, plus one contemporary one-act play, to be read and performed; some consideration of the conventions of both genres. Discussion in Japanese. Prerequisite: Japanese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 347. Advanced Reading in Contemporary Japanese Prose: Newspapers Introduction to journalistic prose styles, with attention to vocabulary and syntax peculiar to newspapers. Discussion in Japanese. Prerequisite: Japanese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2001-2002.
JAPN 348. Advanced Japanese Conversation and Composition Listening and speaking practice with emphasis on situational context and some attention to aspects of contemporary Japanese culture, using audiovisual materials. Prerequisite: Japanese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—Staff
JAPN 349. Advanced Readings in Contemporary Japanese Prose Reading and discussion of advanced Japanese materials. Exercise in speaking the language and in writing compositions. Prerequisites: Japanese 206 or equivalent 6 credits cr., AL, Fall—Staff
JAPN 350. Advanced Readings in Contemporary Culture Using authentic materials, we will examine various trends in contemporary Japanese society, including new music, fashion, and the lifestyle of the new generation. Sources include TV, video, music CD's, and magazines. Prerequisites: Japanese 206 or equivalent 6 credits cr., AL, Winter—Staff