Asian Studies Interdisciplinary Program
Whether you want to gain advantage in the international world of business, explore your own Asian heritage, study Asian medical systems, or simply learn more about this fascinating part of the world, choosing to minor in Asian studies is a wise move. The Asian studies minor effectively complements a variety of majors, including anthropology, history, fine arts, political science, sociology, literature, theology, marketing and finance. Students who plan to continue their studies with an advanced degree in Asian studies or a related field can lay the educational groundwork here at Loyola University Chicago.
Undergraduate Policies and Procedures
Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.
Asian Studies (ASIA)
ASIA 101 Explorations in Asian Studies (3 Credit Hours)
This course introduces the histories and cultures of East, Southeast, and South Asia from early modern times to the present.
Interdisciplinary Option: Asian Studies, Global Studies
Course equivalencies: X-ASIA101/INTS202
ASIA 130 Introduction to Martial Arts (3 Credit Hours)
This course introduces the student to Chinese Wushu. Two forms of Wushu will be selected for in depth study each semester. Students will explore the origins of the sports studied and their importance to Chinese culture and philosophy while learning the specific physical techniques.
Course equivalencies: THTR130/ASIA130
Students will improve their balance, flexibility and coordination while learning the basic moves of two forms of Wushu; They will develop a reference for appreciating the place of Wushu in Chinese culture and create a foundation for further Wushu training
Outcomes
Students will improve their balance, flexibility and coordination while learning the basic moves of two forms of Wushu; They will develop a reference for appreciating the place of Wushu in Chinese culture and create a foundation for further Wushu trainingASIA 152 Drawing China (3 Credit Hours)
This is an introductory drawing course. There are no pre-requisites nor prior experience need to succeed in this course. Beijing is our laboratory and the topic of all class drawings.
Course equivalencies: FNAR152/ASIA152
Students will be able to draw trees, buildings, automobiles, vegetables, human beings in real life situations and in perspective
Outcomes
Students will be able to draw trees, buildings, automobiles, vegetables, human beings in real life situations and in perspectiveASIA 160 The Crafts of China (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the artisan crafts of China historically and technically. The course explores how and why the crafts appeared, their historical trajectory and demonstrates how the crafts improved technically. Ceramics, Bronze Castings and Wood works will serve as prototypes. Students will undertake independent researches.
Course equivalencies: FNAR160/ASIA160
Students will identify how the crafts of woodwork, bronze casting and ceramics evolved and how they are currently practiced in China; Students will articulate an understanding of the function of craft in Chinese culture as well compare and contrast it to the function craft in their own culture
Outcomes
Students will identify how the crafts of woodwork, bronze casting and ceramics evolved and how they are currently practiced in China; Students will articulate an understanding of the function of craft in Chinese culture as well compare and contrast it to the function craft in their own cultureASIA 167 Religions in China (3 Credit Hours)
This course is a survey of various religions in China that may include, not only Confucianism and Taoism, but also Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Manicheism and popular or "folk" religion. The course will consider the function of these various religions in the development of Chinese society and their significance in Chinese civilization from ancient mythology to contemporary practices and developments."
Course equivalencies: X-THEO167/ASIA167/INTS167
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the beliefs, practices, and institutions in varied contexts and historical periods in China, of various religions, both indigenous and "foreign
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the beliefs, practices, and institutions in varied contexts and historical periods in China, of various religions, both indigenous and "foreignASIA 168 Sacred Texts of China (3 Credit Hours)
Through the study of primary sacred texts of China (in translation), this class will provide a basic understanding of Chinese thought and its historical development. Interconnections among the various periods and different schools of Chinese philosophy such as Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism will be demonstrated and discussed from ancient through the medieval and modern periods.
Course equivalencies: X-THEO168/ASIA168/INTS168
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major Chinese sacred texts and teachings of various religious and philosophical traditions, and how they developed and interacted historically
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major Chinese sacred texts and teachings of various religious and philosophical traditions, and how they developed and interacted historicallyASIA 169 Taoism (3 Credit Hours)
Students will study the history and main ideas and practices of Taoism, meet the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, be introduced to the various schools of Taoist philosophy, and get a feel for what it means to practice Taoism today. The course will illustrate how religious Taoism established a relationship with Confucian thought and practice as well as how at each stage of its historical development, Taoism exerted a profound influence on Chinese politics, economy, culture, art, natural sciences, and social life.
Course equivalencies: X-THEO169/ASIA169/INTS169
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of philosophical and religious Taoist beliefs, practices, and institutions in varied contexts and historical periods
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of philosophical and religious Taoist beliefs, practices, and institutions in varied contexts and historical periodsASIA 191 Traditional Chinese Philosophy (3 Credit Hours)
Students will investigate Chinese ancient philosophy in a way to let its own tendencies be sensed and appreciated. Topics include Confucianism, Mencius, Sunzi, Taoism, Legalism, Yin-Yang School, Tung Chung-shu, Chinese Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism. In addition, students learn about the relations among different schools or different thinkers in the same school. Comparisons between Chinese philosophies and western ones are encouraged.
Course equivalencies: X-PHIL191/ASIA191
ASIA 192 Chinese Ethics and Asian Values (3 Credit Hours)
This course offers an overview of the spirit of Chinese ethics, covering sacred and secular as well as intellectual and practical elements.
Course equivalencies: X-PHIL192/ASIA192/INTS192
ASIA 193 Contemporary Chinese Philosophy (3 Credit Hours)
Students will analyze the development of Chinese contemporary thought in its different stages: rejection of the tradition and its recent reevaluation.
Course equivalencies: X-PHIL193/ASIA193/INTS193
ASIA 252 Peoples of China (3 Credit Hours)
This class introduces China's cultural diversity and unity as a whole. It provides a general overview of cultural mappings in China, and a detailed study of significant ethnic minorities.
Course equivalencies: SOCL251/ASIA252/INTS251
Students will gain the ability to perceive cultural phenomena in a comparative framework and understand cultural differences more deeply
Outcomes
Students will gain the ability to perceive cultural phenomena in a comparative framework and understand cultural differences more deeplyASIA 263 Political and Social Movements in China (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines historical and contemporary movements pursuing political, economic and social reforms in China. It studies both state-sponsored and voluntary movements.
Course equivalencies: SOCL263/INTS263
Students will gain a deeper understanding of China's ongoing transformation, and will learn how to develop their own scholarly analysis of such social change
Outcomes
Students will gain a deeper understanding of China's ongoing transformation, and will learn how to develop their own scholarly analysis of such social changeASIA 266 Development and Social Change in Modern China (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines change and development in modern China from the late Qing period to the present, focusing on the movement from a planned economy to a market-based economy.
Course equivalencies: SOCL266/ASIA266/INTS266WSGS297
Students will gain knowledge of China's economic development path, and will apply gender and/or class-based analysis to patterns of social change
Outcomes
Students will gain knowledge of China's economic development path, and will apply gender and/or class-based analysis to patterns of social changeASIA 272 Environment of China (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides a systematic introduction to major environmental issues in the context of recent social and economic development in China
Course equivalencies: X-NTSC270/ASIA272/INTS270
ASIA 292 Modern Chinese Fiction (3 Credit Hours)
This course introduces selected fictional works by some of the most insightful writers of modern China. The course focuses on significant aspects of these works with an objective to enhance students' fascination with and skill in the reading and analysis of modern Chinese fiction. Knowledge of modern Chinese fiction will enable students to understand central aspects of 20th century Chinese culture.
Course equivalencies: X-LITR292/ASIA292/INTS290
Students will be able to analyze literary texts of a particular historical period and write critical essays on works read in the course
Outcomes
Students will be able to analyze literary texts of a particular historical period and write critical essays on works read in the courseASIA 297 Topics in Asia (3 Credit Hours)
Special topics or new approaches of current interest to the instructor. This course may be used to fulfill the Asian minor requirement for a 300-level course in Asia-related topics. Students may repeat the course for credit when the topic changes.
Interdisciplinary Option: Asian Studies
Students will gain familiarity with the topic; the ability to make connections between secondary and primary sources; and the capacity to think critically about the ways that historians have approached major issues
Outcomes
Students will gain familiarity with the topic; the ability to make connections between secondary and primary sources; and the capacity to think critically about the ways that historians have approached major issuesASIA 302 Discovering China Through Film (3 Credit Hours)
This course will give an overview of major films produced in mainland China since 1949. Students will examine the genres of Chinese film better known in contemporary China and consider them a major source of reflection upon, and critique of, contemporary Chinese society and culture.
Course equivalencies: CMUN301/ASIA/INTS/AIFMS302
All films chosen for the course will help inform students' understanding of modern China in terms of its material conditions and ideology
Outcomes
All films chosen for the course will help inform students' understanding of modern China in terms of its material conditions and ideologyASIA 314 Modern Chinese Literature in Chinese (3 Credit Hours)
This course is a survey of modern Chinese literature from 1918 to the present. It requires the close reading of famous Chinese writers and poets as well as some of the avant-garde writers. Students will have the opportunity to explore their own ideas of the aesthetic characteristics of the Chinese literature in the 20th century, as well as its historical and social background and learn about one of the important aspects of modern Chinese culture.
Course equivalencies: X-CHIN341/ASIA314/INTS341A
Students will demonstrate knowledge of principal, genres, themes and forms of modern Chinese literature through analytical oral and written arguments