The following Asian Studies courses are listed at the University of North Texas. Please be aware that courses are added and deleted on a rolling basis, and that many departments offer courses on an occasional or experimental basis, and that those courses may not have formal listings or course descriptions. For up-to-date information on course offerings and scheduling for any given semester, please contact the relevant school or department.
Department of Anthropology
ANTH 3700/3100-002 Peoples and Cultures of South Asia. A survey of the culturally rich and diverse cultures and traditions of South Asia, each with its own unique history covering thousands of years. From the days of prehistory to the present period of profound social, economic, political, and technological changes, this course provides an in-depth background and understanding of the peoples and cultures of this area. No prerequisites.
ANTH 3710 East Asia. An overview of cultures and contemporary issues in societies in the Far East, in the context of social and political change and development. Compares anthropological and ethnographic studies of the Peoples' Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, supplemented by selected research from sociology, history, and political science, and specific areas of cultural and social change in each society, including kinship and family, ethnicity, economic and political development, industrialization, urbanization, and health and social policy. No prerequisites.
ANTH 3720/3100-007 Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia. A survey of mainland and insular areas of Southeast Asia. Covers the development of indigenous cultures, the period of empires influenced by India and China, the merger with the Islamic world, Western colonialism and emerging nationalism, and the modern period of seeking global identity. No prerequisites.
Department of Geography and the Environment
GEOG 3760 Geography of China: Environment and Society. Introduces students to the history, culture, physical environments, and diverse populations of China to better understand current and future affairs. Evaluate recent developments in China from a geographical perspective. No prerequisites.
Department of History
HIST 4075 The Korean and Vietnam Wars. Analyzes the domestic historical background and roots of the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts; their function as international proxy wars between the socialist and capitalist camps in the context of the Cold War; and their effects on Korea, Vietnam, China and the United States. No prerequisite.
HIST 4104 The British Raj. Examines the expansion and growth of the English East India Company, the transition to British Crown rule after the rebellion of 1857, and anti-colonial movements leading up to the partition of India in 1947. No prerequisites.
Hist 4110 British Empire in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Examines the rapid expansion of the British Empire across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific after the loss of the American colonies, examining social, cultural, and political ideas of imperial subjects and anti-colonial activists from the nineteenth century to the present. No Prerequisites.HIST 4283 Decolonization in Asia and Africa. Examines the modern histories of Asian and African experiences of colonialism, nationalism, and decolonization. Focus on the politics, economics, and cultural aspects of colonialism, nationalism, and decolonization from the early nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Prerequisite HIST 1060
HIST 4550 Imperial China. Chinese politics, ideas, economics and society from the Xia dynasty (ca. 2205 BCE) through the High Qing (late 18th century CE); political philosophy, the imperial state, Buddhism, women's roles, and political and economic relations with non-Chinese peoples and states. No prerequisites.
HIST 4560 Modern China. Chinese politics, ideas, economics and society from the High Qing (late 18th century) through 1989; European idealism, the decline and fall of the Qing dynasty, Republicans and Communists, women, modernization and the question of democracy. No prerequisites.
HIST 4565 Chinese Military History, 1750-Present. Chinese military history from the Qing Empire's military expansion of the mid-18th century through the early 21st century. No prerequisites
HIST 4570 Japanese History. Jomon Culture (ca. 10,500 BCE) through the 1970's; myth and history, the imperial system, Buddhism and Confucianism, samurai culture, modern economic development, European imperialism, Japan's rise to a world power, and the post-World War II "economic miracle." No prerequisites
HIST 4605 History of South Asia, 1757-1947. Examines the modern histories of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldive Islands) from 1757-1947. Topics include the East India Company in Southern Asia, the transition to formal colonialism, the 1857-58 rebellions and mutinies, colonial British Indian culture, anti-colonial resistance, nationalism, and the partition of British India in 1947. Prerequisite(s): HIST 1060 recommended.
HIST 4610 Contemporary South Asia. Examines the contemporary histories of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldive Islands) from 1947 onward, including the 1947 partition of India, India-Pakistan relations since 1947, the role of Afghanistan in South Asia, and themes such as religion, caste, gender, minorities, cinema, popular culture, and sport. Prerequisite(s): HIST 1060 recommended.
College of Music, Division of Theory, History, and Ethnomusicology
MUET 3070 Studies in Asian Music. Historical development and current issues in Asian music. Select music cultures are studied from an ethnomusicological perspective. No prerequisites.
MUET 3090 Music of India. Study of Indian music culture from Vedic times to the present day. Course materials cover classical traditions (both North Indian Hidusthani and South Indian Carnatic styles), folk and popular music. These genres are explored from the socio-cultural contexts in which they developed and continue to function. No prerequisites.
Department of Philosophy and Religion
PHIL 3585 South Asian Philosophy and Religion. Study of South Asian philosophical and religious thought from earliest times to the present: the Indus Valley civilization, Vedic religion, the development of Jainism, Buddhism and devotional Hinduism, the philosophical schools, medieval Indian thought, Sikhism, and modern Indian philosophy. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of department.
PHIL 3595 East Asian Philosophy and Religion. Philosophical study of East Asia from earliest times to the present, including ancient Chinese religion; Taoist, Confucian, Mohist and Legalist philosophies; Chinese Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism; the influence of Shinto, Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism upon medieval Japan; and Japanese philosophy since the Meiji Restoration. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing or consent of department.
PHIL 3620 - South Asian Philosophy and Religion. An examination of South Asian philosophical and religious thought from earliest period in Indian history of the Indus Valley civilization to the religion of the Vedas, through the Upanishads, and classical period in Indian thought including the development of Buddhism and Jainism. No prerequisites.
PHIL 3625 - Modern South Asian Philosophy and Religion. An examination of Medieval to Contemporary South Asian philosophy and religion from Puranic Hinduism, the influence of Islam upon Indian thought, the development of medieval devotional Hinduism, and the origin of the Sikh religion. Explores contemporary Indian philosophy as expressed in the thought of such figures as S. Radhakrishnan, Sri Aurobindo, Tagore, and most particularly Gandhi. No prerequisites.
PHIL 3630 - Jainism. An examination of one of the world's oldest religious and philosophical traditions from its origins in the 6th century BCE to its influence on contemporary figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Topics include pacifism and non-violence, self-control, non-materialism, compassion, meditation, and the relationship of the self to divine consciousness. No prerequisites.
PHIL 3635 - Bollywood. Examination of Indian culture as manifested in the Hindi language film industry known as "Bollywood." Topics include South Asian religions, epics and classical drama, devotional songs, Hindi-Urdu poetry, poverty and urban life, crime, and romance. Course presupposes no previous knowledge of Indic religions or cinema. No prerequisites.
PHIL 3665 - Eastern Religion and the Environment. An examination of non-Western religious traditions for an environmental philosophy geared toward assessing global environmental issues with a focus on South Asian and East Asian philosophical and religious traditions. No prerequisites.
PHIL 3680 Buddhism, Daoism, Shintoism. Philosophical study of East Asia from earliest times to the present, including ancient Chinese religion; Taoist, Confucian, Mohist and Legalist philosophies; Chinese Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism; the influence of Shinto, Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism upon medieval Japan; and Japanese philosophy since the Meiji Restoration. No prerequisites.
Department of Political Science
PSCI 3641 Politics of Japan. Overview of politics in Japan, with an emphasis on electoral competition and political parties in the post-war era. No prerequisites.
PSCI 3642 Politics of China. Overview of the political development, culture, and institutions of the People's Republic of China. Emphasis is on the post-Mao era.
PSCI 3700 Area Politics (When addressing Asian politics) Political institutions, processes, problems and policies in distinctive geographic or cultural areas of the world. Frequently offered areas include Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Anglo-American democracies, and the Commonwealth of Nations. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: 3 hours of Political Science.
College of Visual Arts and Design
AEAH 4823 Asian Art (Offered sporadically--please contact the School of Visual Arts for scheduling information) Survey of the art of India, China, and Japan from prehistoric to modern times, including architecture, sculpture, painting, ceramics and printmaking. Prerequisites: ART 1200 or ART 1301; ART 2350, and ART 2360 or consent of instructor.
AEAH 4824 Topics in Asian Art. Selected topics in the arts of Asia. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisites: ART 1200 or ART 1301; ART 2350, and ART 2360 or consent of instructor.
Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
CHIN 2040* Intermediate Chinese. Grammar and phonetics; reading, composition and oral-aural practice. Prerequisite: CHIN 1020 or equivalent.
CHIN 2050* Intermediate Chinese. Grammar and phonetics; reading, composition and oral-aural practice. Prerequisite: CHIN 2040 or equivalent.
CHIN 3040* Advanced Topics in Culture. Focus on deepening students' understanding of Chinese culture and society today through a study of Chinese history, social dynamics, business practices and advanced readings from sources in contemporary and mainstream Chinese media. Prerequisite: CHIN 2050 or equivalent.
CHIN 3050* Chinese Pop Culture. Survey of pop culture of the Chinese-speaking world through readings and films. Prerequisite: CHIN 2050 or equivalent.
CHIN 3060* Advanced Topics in Language. Focus on Chinese grammar and intense practice to develop fluency in reading, writing and comprehension of modern Chinese beyond the intermediate level. Prerequisite: CHIN 2050 or equivalent.
JAPN 2040** Intermediate Japanese. Grammar, composition, oral-aural practice and readings. Prerequisite: JAPN 1020 or equivalent.
JAPN 2050** Intermediate Japanese. Grammar, composition, oral-aural practice and readings. Prerequisite: JAPN 2040 or equivalent.
JAPN 3020** Advanced Japanese I. Advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Topics include Japanese society, culture, history and intercultural communications. Prerequisite: JAPN 2050.
JAPN 3030** Advanced Japanese II. Advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Topics include Japanese society, culture, history and intercultural communications. Prerequisite: JAPN 3020.
JAPN 3040** Topics in Japanese Culture. Focus on deepening students' understanding of Japanese culture and society today through a study of Japanese history, social dynamics, business practices and advanced readings from sources in contemporary and mainstream Japanese media. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: JAPN 2050.
JAPN 3042** Japanese Society Today. Exploration of contemporary Japanese society through readings and discussions. Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the department.
JAPN 3046** Japanese Cultural Expressions Through the Ages. Exploration of Japanese art and culture throughout the ages. Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the department.
JAPN 3048** Japanese Food Culture. Students learn about the intricacies of Japanese food culture through a variety of reading materials and video clips. Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the department.
JAPN 3060** Topics in Japanese Language. Focus on Japanese grammar and intensive practice to develop fluency in reading, writing and comprehension of modern Japanese beyond the intermediate level. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: JAPN 2050.
JAPN 3068** Japanese Extensive Reading. Enhance reading proficiency and other skills through cultural materials. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 3020 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the department.
JAPN 4020** Advanced Japanese III. Continuation of advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Topics may include Japanese arts, culture, history and politics. Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 with a grade of C or better.
JAPN 4030** Advanced Japanese IV. Continuation of advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Topics may include Japanese arts, culture, history and politics. Prerequisite: JAPN 4020 with a grade of C or better.
JAPN 4040** Advanced Topics in Japanese Culture. Study of Japanese cultural products and practices with an emphasis on the past associated with the present. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 (may be taken concurrently).
JAPN 4080** Business Japanese. Introduction to Japanese business culture and development of appropriate advanced language skills. Prerequisite(s): JAPN 3030 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of department.
WLLC 2980 Japanese Culture, Language and Business Practices. Overview Japanese culture, society and business practices along with basic Japanese language. No prerequisites.
WLLC 3200 Chinese Culture and Society. (Next to be offered Spring 2019). No prerequisites.
WLLC 3600 Japanese Popular Culture. (Next to be offered Fall 2019). No prerequisites.
*Up to six hours of Chinese courses from CHIN 2040, CHIN 2050, CHIN 3040, and CHIN 3060 may be counted towards the minor. The two highest level courses (three credits each) will be counted. For example, a student who takes CHIN 2040, CHIN 2050, and CHIN 3040 at UNT may count CHIN 2050 and CHIN 3040 toward the minor, but not CHIN 2040.
***Up to six hours of Japanese courses from JAPN 2040, JAPN 2050, JAPN 3030, JAPN 304*, JAPN 306*, JAPN 4020, JAPN 4030, JAPN 404*, and JAPN 408* may be counted towards the minor. The two highest level courses (three credits each) will be counted. For example, a student who takes JAPN 2040, JAPN 2050, and JAPN 3030 at UNT may count JAPN 2050 and JAPN 3030 toward the minor, but not JAPN 2040.