This course seeks to introduce students to the diversity of doctrines held and practices performed by Buddhists in Asia. By focusing on how specific beliefs and practices are tied to particular locations and particular times, we will be able to explore in detail the religious institutions, artistic, architectural, and musical traditions, textual production and legal and doctrinal developments of Buddhism over time and within its socio-historical context. Religion is never divorced from its place and its time. Furthermore, by geographically and historically grounding the study of these religions we will be able to examine how their individual ethic, cosmological and soteriological systems effect local history, economics, politics, and material culture. We will concentrate first on the person of the Buddha, his many biographies and how he has been followed and worshipped in a variety of ways from Lhasa, Tibet to Phrae, Thailand. From there we touch on the foundational teachings of the Buddha with an eye to how they have evolved and transformed over time. Finally, we focus on the practice of Buddhist ritual, magic and ethics in monasteries and among aly communities in Asia and even in the West. This section will confront the way Buddhists have thought of issues such as "Just-War," Women's Rights and Abortion. While no one quarter course could provide a detailed presentation of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism, my hope is that we will be able to look closely at certain aspects of these religions by focusing on how they are practiced in places like Nara, Japan or Vietnam, Laos.

The goal of this course is understanding the development of visual, performing, and literary arts in Korea and the historical, religious, and social contexts in which they flourished. It serves as an introduction to the arts of Korea, with emphasis on painting, sculpture, ceramics, and architecture and additional consideration of dance, drama, poetry, and culinary arts. Covers the whole history of Korea, from prehistoric times to the twenty-first century.

This course offers students an exploration of modern Vietnam — within both regional and global contexts— addressing a wide range of issues, including socio-cultural and politico-economic dynamics, as well as questions of nationalism and international relations.
Students will have the opportunity to view Vietnam from diverse perspectives, moving beyond the conventional focus on the Vietnam Wars. They will gain an understanding of the concept of "multiple Vietnams," which have shaped the nation's development into its present form.
Using a relatively large historical framework, the course emphasizes that concepts like modernity did not emerge in isolation or remain static over time. The course explores the diverse ways in which the Vietnamese navigated their paths to modernity, not only through political engagement but also through educational, cultural, literary, artistic, and religious endeavors.
In order to deepen students' understanding of Vietnam's complexity and richness, further illustrating the idea of "multiple Vietnams," the course will challenge the main national narrative by highlighting under-studied groups and topics, such as the participation of ethnic minorities to the development of the nation and the colonial ambitions of early modern Vietnam. These perspectives will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary regional dynamics, particularly concerning minority issues and Vietnam's relations with its neighboring countries.
By challenging a Western-centric perspective, students will engage with Vietnamese sources and reposition Vietnam within its regional context. The course encourages students to work with a broad definition of "texts," including not only written documents but also primary sources such as oral histories, social phenomena, and historical commemorations.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.

This course introduces Chinese history and culture from ancient to modern times. In addition to addressing political, social, economic, and intellectual developments, this course will draw on important literary and artistic works to understand how various writers and thinkers have participated in the making of what is now called China. The course challenges the notion of “civilization” and the imagination of history as singular and monolithic. The lectures and readings will include some of the most up-to-date scholarship on China and East Asia. The recitations and short paper assignments are designed for students to practice analysis of primary sources.