Past Courses
ClassListing (Winter 2012)
Class Listing (Fall 2011)
Class Listing (Spring 2011)
Class Listing (Winter 2011)
Class Listing (Fall 2010)
Class Listing (Spring 2010)
Class Listing (Winter 2010)
Class Listing (Fall 2009)
Class Listing (Spring 2009)
Class Listing (Winter 2009)
Class Listing (Fall 2008)
Class Listing (Spring 2008)
Class Listing (Winter 2008)
Class Listing (Fall 2007)
Spring 2010 course:
AMES 391-20: Islamicate Literature from 1000-1500
Professor Judith Wilks
MWF 2:00-2:50 University Hall 102
This course is open to both graduate and undergraduate students who have an interest in Islamicate cultures. Some of the great literary works of this period will be introduced, using quality English translations from the 3 major languages of Islamic civilization: Persian, Turkish, and Arabic. The selected readings will touch on the themes of heroism, romantic love, mystical love, and humor. Texts to be discussed will include: the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi; The Book of Dede Korkut; the Sirat `Antar; the Masnavi-ye Ma'navi of Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi, as well as some of his other poems; The Conference of the Birds by Farid al-Din `Attar; and stories of Nasreddin Hodja / Molla Nasreddin, as well as humorous works of a more literary nature.
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Winter 2010 courses:
AMES 391-20: Individuality & Family Value in Chinese Lit
Professor Lei Chen
W 3:00-5:00 University Hall 118
It is often commonplace to characterize the Chinese and East-Asian culture as being centered on the "collectivistic" value as opposed to the "individualism" as valued in the Euro-American society. This course is designed to reconsider this truism by reflecting on what constitutes the "individuality" when an individual is inextricably bound with community, especially with family as a basic tissue of society. In this course, we will select short stories, novellas, novels and dramas of both modern and pre-modern China to explore the tensions between individual will and familial obligation with our following inquiries: Is the life of independent individuals freer than the one wedded to a network of community and shared values? If it is, how does the individual person seek freedom by defying social constraints of family? If not, how does the individual seek to reconcile with family without being subsumed by its obligation? How does the gender play a role in the individual's tension and reconciliation with the family? This course starts with the modern representation of the family in 20th century China and the Chinese diaspora in the US. The course is conducted in English. Knowledge of Chinese language is not required but certainly welcome.
AMES 290-20: Cultures of the Himalayas
Professor Antonio Terrone
TTH 3-4:20 Kresge 4-310
The primary aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of the major religious traditions that characterize social life along the Himalayan belt from Lhadak to Bhutan. We will consider religious life from various orientations (historical, sociological, anthropological, philosophical) believing that such an approch will foster a fuller understanding of the complex and overlapping worlds of meaning evoked by religious thought, texts, institutions, and practice.
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Visiting Professor Shozo Sato
Spring 2009 Courses
AMES 290-20: Special Topics in AMES: Basic Calligraphy
MW 9-11:50
Course Description: Through the writing of Chinese ideograms the student should become aware of the following points in the fine arts: (1) the various qualities in lines produced with the use of a brush: (2) the formation of the ideograms as a composition with active empty space.. (3) Calligraphy as a means of visual expression.
Zen philosophical statements will be used in the practice of calligraphy. Students will have a choice in the selection of a statement to use in their final work. A discussion on the meaning of the Zen statements will include what relevance it has with life in America today.
A definitive approach in holding tools such as a brush requires total concentration: a unity of mind, body and spirit. Since in the fine arts, the creator's personality is reflected, a discussion of the Zen philosophical point of view should help individuals learn to "center" themselves through the action of using a brush.
AMES 290-21: Special Topics in AMES: Sumi-E
MW 1-3:50
Course Description: The Art of Black Ink or Sumi-e is a manifestation in monochrome; yet must express a sense of form, color and dimensionality through the use of various tones in black ink.
Like calligraphy, total focus and concentration are required in this practice. Just as there are many other cultural differences between East and West, there are great differences in both in the construction and use of the brush as a tool for black ink painting and calligraphy.. Such concepts as “active empty space” and terms such as “dominant”, sub-dominant” and “subordinate” as elements in composition will be explored. Black Ink painting requires the learning special techniques in using the brush such as ‘how to load the bristles with various ink tones to create three dimensionality and how to use the brush for certain effects. In this Spring Quarter, the class will also explore brush techniques for the use of color, which differ. Popular Chinese painting uses these techniques for paintings in color.
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New Spring Quarter 2009 Course
AMES 391-Advanced Topics in Lit & Fine Arts: Confucian Classics as Chinese Literature
Instructor: Lei Chen
MW 12:30-1:50
Course Description: The Confucian Classics as a body of literary, historical and philosophical texts exercises great influences on Chinese literary and cultural tradition. This course is designed to offer an introductory review of Chinese cultural heritage in comparison with other literary, cultural and religious traditions through reading Confucian Classics as literary texts. By exploring how individual texts are composed, compiled, canonized, and interpreted, this course attempts to guide students to exercise their critical reading, and ultimately, to understand how reading shapes up cultural tradition.
Knowledge of Chinese history and cultural tradition is preferred but not required; previous coursework in Chinese language and literature is particularly welcome; learning in a diverse body of literary, philosophical and religious traditions are encouraged.
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