Asian Studies

ASIA100 Introduction to Traditional Asia Sections

A survey of the histories and cultures of Asia before 1600 and the coming of the Europeans. Emphasis will be given to parallel themes in the development of the civilizations of South, Southeast and East Asia.

ASIA101 Introduction to Modern Asia Sections

A survey of the emergence of modern Asia. Aims at an understanding of how the various peoples of Asia have maintained distinctive cultural identities despite centuries of political, economic, social and cultural change.

ASIA110 Introduction to Religions in Asia Sections

A survey of religious traditions of Asia, including communities, professionals, practices and beliefs of small-scale and large-scale societies. Approaches and theories drawn from the field of religious studies.

ASIA210 Traditions of Yoga Sections

Philosophical, religious, and cultural development of yoga in classical and medieval South Asia and its relation to contemporary globalized practice.

ASIA212 Writing About Japan Sections

Literary, historiographic, religious, and feminist approaches to Japanese myths, legal tracts, religious tales, fiction, and poetry.

ASIA254 Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Japanese Literature and Film Sections

The integral role that sex, gender, and sexuality play in literary and cinematic works from Japan. Literary works will be read in translation, movies will be subtitled.

ASIA270 China in World History Sections

The history of China in a global context, from the earliest times to the most recent past; how China has changed the world and how engagement with the world has changed China.

ASIA305 Asian Horror Cinema: National Nightmares and Specters of Trauma Sections

Engaging with the ideologies, industrial histories, socio-cultural contexts, and aesthetics of horror films - and the genre itself - from various Asian cinemas.

ASIA308 Myth, Ritual and Epic in Ancient India Sections

Myths of creation Gods and goddesses of the Vedic pantheon. Connections with myths in other parts of the world, particularly in the Indo-European tradition. Literary representations of the myths.

ASIA311 Tibetan Buddhism Sections

Religious terrain of the Tibetan cultural realm, looking at the history and development of Tibetan Buddhism and key ideas of the four main Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

ASIA313 Tibetan and Himalayan Culture and Society Sections

History and culture of the Himalayan regions, including India, China, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.

ASIA314 Premodern Japan Sections

Japanese history (political, economic, social and cultural) to 1600.

ASIA315 Japan from Feudal to Modern State Sections

Japanese history from 1600 to the Meiji Restoration. Political, economic, social and cultural forces which were involved in transforming Japan.

ASIA317 The Rise of Korean Civilization Sections

The evolution of a distinctive Korean civilization within the East Asian cultural sphere. Primary focus on cultural, social and political development from the earliest times to the sixteenth century.

ASIA319 Contemporary Chinese Popular Cultures Sections

Chinese popular cultures of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, in relation to social changes, national policies, individual choices, everyday experience, and globalization.

ASIA321 Celebrity Culture in Chinese Societies Sections

Histories, controversies, and implications of celebrity culture in Chinese societies, with a focus on the entanglement of author, audience, and media across different sociopolitical contexts.

ASIA323 History of Cantonese Worlds Sections

The history, culture, languages, and identities of the multi-faceted Cantonese worlds, in the context of Chinese history and the Cantonese diaspora.

ASIA324 Literature of Hong Kong Sections

A survey of the literature of Hong Kong, from classical times to the present. Important periods in literary history (imperial, colonial, post-colonial), major authors (locals, visitors, and writers elsewhere), and important genres, including poetry, essays, and fiction.

ASIA325 Hong Kong Cinema Sections

A survey of the cinema of Hong Kong from the post-war period to the present. The influence of Hong Kong on global cinema, and the forces (artists, studios, audiences, etc.) that have given rise to filmmaking styles and genres perceived as "distinctively Hong Kong."

ASIA326 Critical Approaches to Manga and Anime Sections

A critical introduction to Japanese manga and anime in the 20th and 21st centuries.

ASIA328 Modern Islam Sections

History, culture, values, and sociopolitical movements of the Islamic world from 1500 to the modern day; interconnections between power, politics, gender, and the arts in modern Islamic societies. Recommended as a basis for all other Islamic studies courses.

ASIA333 Contemporary South Asian Gender and Sexuality Studies Sections

Main theories and key concepts with a particular focus on the changing status of women, and gender and sexual minorities.

ASIA336 Sufi and Bhakti Devotional Literatures Sections

Sufi and Bhakti thought and tradition in South Asia through literary works in translation.

ASIA337 The Korean People in Modern Times (1600 to the present) Sections

The transformation of Korea from a Confucian state into an industrial nation. The rise of nationalism and modern ideologies in Korea. Cultural, social and economic changes Korea has undergone as it has entered the modern world.

ASIA341 Classical Chinese Literature in Translation Sections

Poetry, historical and philosophic prose writings and the earliest genres of fiction in classical Chinese (ca. 1100 BC ca. 750 AD).

ASIA347 Traditional Korean Literature in Translation Sections

An introduction to Korean literature from ancient times to 1900.

ASIA351 Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation Sections

Reading of selected novels and stories written between 1750 and the present.

ASIA353 Introduction to Hindi Film Sections

History, aesthetics, politics, and social roles of Bollywood films. Films will be subtitled.

ASIA354 Introduction to Japanese Cinema Sections

Students will be introduced to the work of the major directors (e.g., Ozu, Mizoguchi, Kurosawa, Itami, Oshima, Shinoda). Ideological uses of literary texts and period pieces (e.g., Ugetsu, Life of Oharu, Double Suicide). Impact of depiction of Japanese in American film.

ASIA355 History of Chinese Cinema Sections

Introduction to the work of major directors.

ASIA356 Korean Cinema Sections

Introduction to the work of the major film makers.

ASIA357 Modern Korean Literature in Translation Sections

Selected fiction and poetry written between 1917 and the present.

ASIA361 Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation II Sections

A thematic survey of modern Chinese fiction and film in translation.

ASIA363 Fiction and Film from Modern Taiwan Sections

A reading-intensive survey of literary and cinematic culture in Taiwan since the early 20th century: colonialism, the national divide, nativism, trauma, cosmopolitanism, and utopian imaginings.

ASIA364A Modern Japanese Literature in Translation - MOD JAPN LIT TRN Sections

An introduction to the literature and cultural history of modern Japan, with readings drawn from various literary genres, from 1868 to the present.

ASIA367 Contemporary Korean Culture Sections

An introduction to the literature, drama, music, and art of Korea today. Particular attention will be paid to the continuing influence of traditional themes and forms.

ASIA370 The Sanskrit Cosmopolis: India and the World, 200-1500 CE Sections

Languages, religions, art forms, and political structures of Asian societies shaped by creative encounters with Sanskrit.

ASIA371 Foundations of Chinese Thought Sections

Chinese thought from its beginnings until the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) in its historical and cultural contexts. Includes, among others: Confucius; Mo Zi; the Legalists/Authoritarians; Zhuang Zi; the Lao Zi book.

ASIA372 Development of Traditional Chinese Thought Sections

Chinese thought from the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) to Wang Yangming (1472-1529) in its historical and cultural contexts.

ASIA373 History of Hong Kong Sections

History, culture, and identities of Hong Kong from the early 1800s to the present.

ASIA375 Global Chinese Cinemas Sections

A survey of Chinese cinemas in global perspective, covering films, filmmakers, producers, audiences, markets, industries, and critical discourse since the early twentieth century. Covers both cinematic culture and filmmaking technique.

ASIA377 History of Korean Thought Sections

An examination of Korean religious, philosophical, and scientific thought from the earliest written records to the present day, with particular focus on the interaction of Shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and, in the present century, Christianity.

ASIA381 Daoist (Taoist) Religion and Its Philosophical Background Sections

A study of the Daoist religious traditions from their beginnings in the second century CE in their cultural, intellectual and social contexts.

ASIA382 Buddhism in China Sections

History, thought, and practices of Chinese Buddhism from its beginnings until the twentieth century.

ASIA386 Chinese Grammar and Usage I Sections

Analysis of modern Chinese grammar and its usage in various discourses, situating its form and function in relation to social and cultural contexts.

ASIA387 Japanese Religions Sections

An introduction to traditional Japanese religions including Shinto, Buddhism, Shugendo, Confucianism, new religions and folklore, and their roles in Japanese history, culture and society.

ASIA392 Classical Persian Literature in English Translation Sections

Works of classical Persian literature dating from the tenth to the seventeenth century.

ASIA394 Post-Revolutionary Iranian Cinema Sections

Gender politics, family relationships, and women's social, economic, and political roles in post-revolutionary Iran as shown through Iranian cinema.

ASIA396 Chinese Grammar and Usage II Sections

Analysis of modern Chinese grammar and its usage in various discourses, situating its form and function in relation to social and cultural contexts. Continuation of ASIA 386.

ASIA398 Narrative Literature in Premodern India Sections

Stories of gods, goddesses and religious heroes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, Avadanas and in classical poetry and drama.

ASIA399 Films of the South Asian Diaspora Sections

Contemporary films of the South Asian Diaspora, with a focus on Canada, US, and UK. Emphasizes theories of representation, visual and cultural analysis.

ASIA410 International Relations in Premodern East Asia Sections

International relations, particularly between Korea and Japan in the premodern East Asian context, focusing on migration, trade, diplomacy, war, collective memory, mutual perceptions, and the context of the Sinocentric international order.

ASIA411 Chinese Political Thought and Institutions Sections

Chinese theories and practices of government and administration from earliest times to 1949.

ASIA412 Pre-Modern Chinese Poetry (Pre-Qin to Tang) Sections

Features and evolution of major pre-Chinese poetry from the 11th century B.C.E. to the 10th century C.E.; analytical reading of signature poems by selected poets in English translation in the pre-modern Chinese poetic tradition during this historical period.

ASIA413 Pre-Modern Chinese Poetry (Tang to Qing) Sections

The features and evolution of pre-Chinese poetry from the 10th century to the 19th century; analytical reading of signature poems by selected poets in English translation in the pre-modern Chinese poetic tradition during this historical period.

ASIA430 International Relations in Modern East Asia: Korea and Japan Sections

Trade, diplomacy, war, imperialism, militarism, colonialism, collective memory, mutual perceptions Korean-Japanese relations are examined as an exemplary case for exploring the dimensions of international conflict and partnership.

ASIA433 Representations of Muslims in Hindi/Urdu Films Sections

Depictions of Muslims in relation to the majoritarian community as well as other minorities in South Asian cinema, with a particular focus on the Hindi/Urdu film industry.

ASIA443 National Narratives in Chinese Literature and Film Sections

Nationhood as it is constructed, deconstructed, and continuously contested in Chinese literature, film, and other media from the late imperial period to the 21st century in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Chinese diaspora.

ASIA444 Topics in Modern Japanese Fiction and Cultural History Sections

Focuses on a limited time period or particular aspect of modern Japanese literature.

ASIA445 Japanese Crime Fiction Sections

Examines representations of crime and criminality in modern and contemporary Japanese literature.

ASIA451 Modern Chinese Authors in Translation Sections

Study of one influential modern Chinese author, such as Lu Xun, Shen Congwen, Eileen Chang, Yu Hua, Mo Yan, or Wang Anyi.

ASIA453 Japanese Travel Literature Sections

Japanese travel literature (myths, legends, poetry, tales, diaries, illustrated guides, satiric sermons, haiku, comic fiction, colonial reporting, and ethnography) from the 8th century to present.

ASIA456 History and Culture of Taiwan Sections

The major social, economic, political, and cultural changes in Taiwan since the seventeenth century; the post-World War II process of democratization and Taiwan's place in the contemporary world.

ASIA464 Japanese Women's Self-Writing Sections

Selected aspects of the more than 1000 years of self-writing (diary, autobiography, personal fiction). Theory and criticism about the use of writing as a medium of self-expression.

ASIA470 Comparative Conceptions of the Self Sections

Ways in which the "self" has been portrayed in eastern and western religious traditions. Thinkers to be considered include Aristotle, Mencius, Freud, Xunzi (Hsn-tzu), Nietzsche, and Zhuangzi (Chuang-tzu).

ASIA476Z Topics in South Asian Studies - TCS SOUTH ASIA Sections

Seminar class designed to explore current scholarly debates in South Asian and Sikh Studies. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Credit will be granted for only one of ASIA 476 or ASIA 576.

ASIA490Z Asian Classics - Fourth Year Seminar - ASIA CLSSCS SEM Sections

Focus changes from year to year. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor and fourth-year standing.

ASIA498 Asia in Museums/the Museum in Asia Sections

Museological representations of Asia and Asian forms of museological representation in colonial and post-colonial contexts. Credit will be granted for only one of ASIA 498 or ASIA 598.

ASIA499 Honours Thesis Sections

Restricted to fourth-year students admitted to the Honours Program in Asian Studies.

ASIA511B Readings in Chinese Religious Texts - CHIN RELG TEXTS Sections

Selected readings from primary texts in Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and popular religion.

ASIA513B Topics in Classical Chinese Literature - TOPICS CHIN LIT Sections

ASIA514B Topics in Modern Chinese Literature - TPCS MOD CHIN LT Sections

ASIA516 Race and Ethnicity in Asian Studies Sections

ASIA517 Chinese Media Studies: Theories and Histories Sections

ASIA532A Topics in Traditional Japanese Literature - TRAD JAPN LIT Sections

ASIA532B Topics in Traditional Japanese Literature - TRAD JAPN LIT Sections

ASIA533A Topics in Modern Japanese Literature - TOP MOD JAPN LIT Sections

ASIA533B Topics in Modern Japanese Literature - TOP MOD JAPN LIT Sections

ASIA535 Japanese Cinema Studies: Theory and Practice Sections

ASIA561B Problems of Modernization in Eastern and Southern Asia - MODERN S&E ASIA Sections

ASIA570A Approaches to Asian Literature - APPR TO ASIA LIT Sections

ASIA570B Approaches to Asian Literature - APPR TO ASIA LIT Sections

ASIA580A Directed Readings - DIRECTED READING Sections

ASIA581A Research Methods and Source Materials in Korean Studies - RSCH MAT-KOREAN Sections

ASIA581B Research Methods and Source Materials in Korean Studies - RSCH MAT-KOREAN Sections

ASIA587 The Choson Dynasty Sections

Credit will be granted for only one of ASIA 587 or ASIA 484.

ASIA591 Critical Issues in Asian Studies Sections

Proseminar introducing major methodological and conceptual themes in the contemporary study of Asia, modern and pre-modern. Required of all Asian Studies PhD students, normally in their first year.

ASIA592 The Profession of Asian Studies Sections

Introduction to essential skills for academic and professional work in Asian Studies. Outlines career trajectories in the PhD and beyond, including grant applications, cv-writing, and job searches. Required of Asian Studies PhD students, normally in their first year.

ASIA598 Asia in Museums/the Museum in Asia Sections

Credit will be granted for only one of ASIA 498 or ASIA 598.

ASIA599B Master's Thesis - MASTERS THESIS Sections

ASIA699 Doctoral Dissertation Sections

In Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or South Asian Studies only.