Lower Division Courses

M20. Visible Language: Study of Writing. (5)  (Same as Asian M20, Indo-European Studies M20, Near Eastern Languages M20, and Slavic M20.) Lecture, three hours. Consideration of concrete means of language representation in writing systems. Earliest representations of language known are those of Near East dating to end of 4th Millennium B.C. While literate civilizations of Egypt, Indus Valley, China, and Mesoamerica left little evidence of corresponding earliest developments, their antiquity and, in case of China and Mesoamerica, their evident isolation mark these centers as loci of independent developments in writing. Basic characteristics of early scripts, assessment of modern alphabetic writing systems, and presentation of conceptual basis of semiotic language representation. Origins and development of early non-Western writing systems. How Greco-Roman alphabet arose in 1st Millennium B.C. and how it compares to other modern writing systems. P/NP or letter grading.

30. Religious Traditions in Southeast Asia. (4)  Lecture, three hours. Introduction to historical development and contemporary practice of religions in Southeast Asia. Examination of indigenous religious beliefs and major textually based religions introduced to region, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. P/NP or letter grading.

90. Modern Literatures in Southeast Asia. (4)  Lecture, three hours. Knowledge of Southeast Asian languages not required. Exploration of diversity of Southeast Asia in such areas as traditional culture, modernization, politics, and literature through modern literary texts. P/NP or letter grading.

Upper Division Courses

120. Field Methods in Asian Languages and Cultures. (3)  Discussion, three hours. Recommended preparation: at least one year of one Asian language. Examination and application of methodologies to better understand language and culture acquisition by working directly with native speaker of Asian language. One language per term to be selected from languages spoken in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia. May be repeated for credit. P/NP or letter grading.

130. Topics in Southeast Asian Literature. (4)  Lecture, three hours. Requisite: one course from Comparative Literature 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2AW, 2BW, 2CW, or English Composition 3 or 3H. Knowledge of Southeast Asian languages not required. Advanced exploration of Southeast Asia through in-depth reading of texts from region. Topics include censorship, politics, language, and literature. P/NP or letter grading.

135. Religion and Society in Southeast Asia. (4)  Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Critical issues related to major religious traditions in Southeast Asia, with emphasis on reading and reflecting on recent scholarship regarding complex interactions between religion, state, and society in contemporary Southeast Asia. P/NP or letter grading.

157. Gender Issues in Southeast Asia. (4)  Seminar, three hours. Critical examination of gender issues in one or more Southeast Asian countries as they connect to social historical contexts nationally, regionally, or globally. May be repeated for credit. P/NP or letter grading.

170A-170B-170C. Topics in Southeast Asian Studies. (4-4-4)  Lecture, three hours. Exploration of Southeast Asian culture through in-depth reading of texts and/or visual documents. Topics include literature, religion, folklore, cultural history, and society. P/NP or letter grading.

197. Individual Studies in Southeast Asian. (4)  Tutorial, to be arranged. Limited to juniors/seniors and graduate students who desire more advanced or specialized treatment of one language offered in program beyond introductory and intermediate courses currently offered. Individual intensive study, with scheduled meetings to be arranged between faculty member and student. Assigned reading and tangible evidence of mastery of subject matter required. May be repeated for credit. Individual contract required; see academic coordinator. P/NP or letter grading.