Asian Studies (AS)

AS 101 -  Intro to Asian Studies  
Credits: 3  

An introduction to Asian societies and cultures. Students will examine the concepts of "civilization," "modernity," and "everyday life" to engage the broad themes central to an understanding of China, Japan, and South Asia.

Note(s): Fulfills Non-Western Cultures and Humanities requirements; fulfills Global Cultural Perspectives and Humanistic Inquiry requirements.  
AS 110 -  Elementary Sanskrit I  
Credits: 3  

A self-instructed introduction to the elements of Sanskrit grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and associated structures of thought.  By the end of the semester, students will gain a basic ability of reading and writing simple sentences and narratives in the Devanagari script. The long-term goal of this course and its sequels is to gain a reading ability for the main texts of Sanskrit literature (poetry, epic, narrative and wisdom literature, philosophical and religious texts, etc.). 

Note(s): Fulfills Foreign Language requirement; fulfills Language Study requirement.  
AS 111 -  Elementary Sanskrit II  
Credits: 3  

Self-instructed introductory course that includes short unaltered readings from the Bhagavad Gita. New grammatical elements include the subtleties of compounding, nonthematic verb conjugations, the phenomenon of nominalization, as well as sandhi (shift in the spelling of words in juxtaposition with other words). 

Prerequisites: AS 110.   
Note(s): Fulfills the Foreign Language requirement; fulfills Language Study requirement.  
AS 210 -  Intermediate Sanskrit I  
Credits: 3  

A self-instructed intermediate course that completes the study of Sanskrit grammar and begins the reading of connected texts, such as sections from epic or narrative literature. 

Prerequisites: AS 111.   
Note(s): Fulfills the Foreign Language requirement; fulfills Language Study requirement.  
AS 211 -  Intermediate Sanskrit II  
Credits: 3  

A self-instructed intermediate Sanskrit course that focuses on reading and translation of passages from epic, narrative, and wisdom literature, and/or religious-philosophical texts.

Prerequisites: AS 210.   
Note(s): Fulfills the Foreign Language requirement; fulfills Language Study requirement.  
AS 221 -  The Himalayas: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the "Roof of the World"  
Credits: 3  

An examination of culture, history, religion, and identity in the region defined by the world's highest mountain range. Students will study the rich cultural heritage and dynamic contemporary life of the region and explore the methodological challenges involved in interdisciplinary studies. Specific topics will include the relationship between culture and environment, artistic and literary traditions of the Himalayas, and the impact of modernity and globalization on the region.

Note(s): Fulfills non-Western Cultures and Humanities requirements; fulfills Humanistic Inquiry and Global Cultural Perspectives requirements.  
AS 251 -  Special Topics Asian Studies  
Credits: 1-4  

A topically organized course, with the specific topic varying according to the instructor's interests and specialization. Topics may include beginning Sanskrit, Asian Studies in theory, co-taught interdisciplinary courses, and Asian Studies add-ons to existing courses in other disciplines.

Note(s): The course may be repeated for credit on a different topic.  
AS 340 -  Advanced Language Across the Curriculum: Sanskrit  
Credits: 2  

Application and development of Sanskrit skills in conjunction with any course taught in English at the college. Students will read, report, discuss and write about sophisticated materials in the disciplines, and learn how to translate them to and from English.

Prerequisites: AS 211 or above or permission of instructor.   
Note(s): Can be repeated for credit no more than four times. Does not fulfill the Foreign Language requirement. Fulfills Language Study requirement.  
AS 351 -  Special Topics: Asian Studies  
Credits: 1-4  

A topically organized course at an advanced level, with the specific topic varying according to the instructor's interests and specialization. Topics may include Asian Studies in Theory, co-taught interdisciplinary courses, and Asian Studies add-ons to existing courses in other disciplines.

Note(s): The course may be repeated for credit on a different topic.  
AS 371 -  Independent Study  
Credits: 1-4  

Individual study under the direction of Asian studies faculty.

AS 374 -  Approaches to Asian Studies  
Credits: 1  

A seminar required of all Asian Studies majors taken during the fall of their senior year in preparation for their senior capstone project. Students will discuss approaches to Asian Studies and develop their skills in research, writing, and oral communication. The course will focus on the goals of collectively selecting a cohesive theme for the Senior Seminar and individually identifying topics for the senior research project. Students will present proposals for their senior capstone projects at the end of the seminar.

Corequisites: LI 371.  
AS 375 -  Asian Studies Senior Seminar  
Credits: 3  

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.

Prerequisites: AS 374 and LI 371.   
Note(s): Fulfills Senior Experience Coda requirement.  
AS 399 -  Internship Asian Studies  
Credits: 1-4  

Internship or professional experience at an advanced level for students with substantial academic preparation in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and program approval, students select an internship and produce a major research paper or other appropriate work related to the area of the internship on a topic approved by the faculty sponsor and the on-site supervisor.

Note(s): Only 3 internship credits may count toward the 300-level requirement of the major. Must be taken S/U.