China is one of several world regions where writing and literacy emerged independently. This course looks at the evidence for the beginnings and first 1000 years of writing in China, from the earliest records of divinations and gift-giving by the Shang kings, through to the establishment during the Han dynasty of the core of China's literary tradition - the "classical" texts that all subsequent educated East Asians knew. Although no prior knowledge of Chinese language is required, we will look at the functioning and early evolution of the Chinese script, and learn to read simple inscriptions. Longer texts will be read in English translation. These will include commemorative inscriptions on bronzes, and varieties of early specialist or technical writings that were buried in tombs with their owners: literature on medicine, handbooks for lawyers, and models for philosophical debate. The course emphasizes the materiality of these writings - their history as physical objects, and the tombs, buildings, and other archeological contexts in which they are found - and a comparative perspective that sets early literacy in East Asia together with similar and contrasting histories of early literacy in other part of the Ancient World.

This course focuses on the history and role of religion in the Chinese cultural sphere (Mainland China, Taiwan, and the Diaspora) from the mid-19th century to the present day, focusing on the relationship between religious institutions and the state during the imperial, republican, and communist regimes. We will learn about the impact of religious ideas, practices, and organizations on social, political and economic processes and inspect the role of religion in the consolidation of individual, communal, and national identity. Adopting a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, we will attempt to ascertain the impact of the various Chinese religious traditions: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and popular sects, as well as global religions such as Islam and Christianity, on the internal sociopolitical structure of the Chinese state and their role in shaping power relations on a transregional, national, and local level. Special emphasis will be given to the role and use of the grand narratives of secularism and modernity in the shaping of the Chinese nation-state, as well as the value of using these frameworks in the study of modern China. The class is discussion based, supplemented by lectures, student presentations, and documentary films. No knowledge of Chinese is presumed. All readings will be in English.

This course offers a study of the artistic techniques, characteristics and development of drama of the Ming and Qing periods. The course investigates topics such as features, forms and art of Ming-Qing zaju drama, selected readings in Ming-Qing zaju drama, features, forms and art of chuanqi drama, selected readings in chuanqi drama, etc. The course requirement includes two exams, terms papers, pop quiz, and some possible additional assignments.

Explore the beauty of gardens (and associated buildings) in Japan, China, and Korea from ancient times to the present. Lectures will be illustrated by photographs from dozens of sites in East Asia, and by a field trip to the Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park. The main body of the course will be a historical survey of the evolution of East Asian garden art forms from the sixth century to the present. Discussion will touch on geographic and climatic parameters, spiritual and aesthetic principles, practical limitations and creative innovations of East Asian gardens. There will be an additional fee for the Japanese House visit, and possibly for other field trips.

This course will explore the development of Japanese and colonial identities in literature produced in and about Japan's colonies during the first half of the 20th century. Throughout the semester, we will read works written during and about the Japanese empire by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Okinawan, and Taiwanese writers. Looking at the different representations of empire, we will examine concepts such as assimilation, mimicry, hybridity, travel, and transculturation in the context of Japanese colonialism. By bringing together different voices from inside and outside of Japan's empire, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of colonial hegemony and identity. In particular, reading works by Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese subjects will enable students to transcend binary notions of colonizer and colonized while also acknowledging the realities of colonial complicity.

Films from socialist countries are often labeled and dismissed as "propaganda" in Western democratic societies. This course complicates this simplistic view, arguing for the value in understanding the ties between socialist governments, the cinematic arts, and everything in between. We will examine films from past and present socialist countries such as the Soviet Union, China, North Korea, and Cuba, as well as films made with socialist aspirations. As this course will argue, the formal features of socialist films cannot be understood without reference to how cinema as an institution is situated: both in relation to socialism as ideology, and the lived experiences of socialism. We will consider topics such as socialist cultural theory, film exhibition, and reception, tracing over 100 years of film history: from 1917 to the present day. This course connects different global traditions of socialism, as well as disparate global regions, arguing for a transnational and transhistorical connection that cuts against the grain of most North American cultural discourse.

Who defines Japanese food? Is it the chef at a top establishment in Tokyo, a home cook in Osaka, a tea master in Kyoto, the ancient capital? Or is it the midwestern American who thinks sushi means raw fish? Is it the person who scarfs cup noodles, or the devotee of artisan ramen stock? Perhaps it is the Japanese government, which in 2006 sent undercover agents abroad to guard against inferior Japanese food outlets. In this class we will consider how Japanese food came to be defined in distinction to Western and Chinese foods beginning in the nineteenth century, and how Japanese food became a global cuisine. Among our questions: What makes a dish Japanese? How did Portuguese or Spanish frying habits (tempura) and Chinese lamian (ramen) become hallmarks? How traditional is the diet of rice and fish, and in what ways does it interact with the environment? How did Buddhist vegetarians justify sukiyaki? What relationship does food have to the longevity of Japanese today? How does gender affect Japanese food cultures? What are the origins of Iron Chef and bento? We will survey the Philadelphia Japanese food scene and learn to make our own sushi. Some controversies we will discuss include the consumption of whale meat in Japan. We will also investigate Japanese government controls of food to combat obesity and to make food safe. after the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. Materials include essays, films, novellas, menus, and cookbooks.

Survey of the major artistic traditions of East Asia from Neolithic times through the 18th century. Will serve as an introduction to upper level lecture courses that deal with the arts and civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan. Students study and handle objects during weekly session in the Museum.

Survey of the major artistic traditions of East Asia from Neolithic times through the 18th century. Will serve as an introduction to upper level lecture courses that deal with the arts and civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan. Students study and handle objects during weekly session in the Museum.

Survey of the major artistic traditions of East Asia from Neolithic times through the 18th century. Will serve as an introduction to upper level lecture courses that deal with the arts and civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan. Students study and handle objects during weekly session in the Museum.