Asian Studies
Before beginning their Asian Studies minor, students are strongly encouraged to take one or more language courses in their Asian region of choice (at Norwich, at least one full semester of Beginning Chinese). Asian Studies are by nature interdisciplinary studies of non-Western culture(s). Language study is important to understanding different cultures as English in almost all cases is not the predominant spoken nor written language and the majority of written and archival materials on Asia are not available in English.
Asian Studies Minor Curriculum Map 2016-2017 Catalog
The Asian Studies minor requires a minimum of 18 credits (6 courses) divided among three area studies components. Students must complete one (1) Introductory Asian Studies course, three (3) Cultural and Historical Studies courses and two (2) Political, Economic and Sociological Studies courses as listed below.
- Students majoring in History, International Studies, Political Science or Studies in War & Peace, may use no more than two courses to apply to this minor and their major.
- Students majoring Political Science or International Studies must complete both PO 202 and PO 215; all other majors must complete either PO 202 or PO 215 as a prerequisite to enrolling in a 300 level political science course.
- Students who major or minor in Chinese may take only one (1) Chinese language class to satisfy the three (3) course requirement for the Cultural and Historical Studies category.
- No more than two of the six courses may be transfer courses.
| Introductory Asian Studies Courses (choose 1) | ||
| HI 211 | Early East Asian Civilizations | 3 |
| HI 212 | Modern East Asian Civilizations | 3 |
| Cultural And Historical Studies (choose 3) | ||
| CN 205 | Intermediate Chinese I | 3 |
| Intermediate Chinese II | 3 | |
| OR | ||
| CN 301 | Advanced Chinese I | 3 |
| Advanced Chinese II | 3 | |
| OR | ||
| CN 321 | Chinese Literature, Culture and Society I 1911-1949 | 3 |
| Chinese Literature, Culture and Society II 1949-Present | 3 | |
| FA 250 | Topics in Art (Asian Topics) | 3 |
| HI 315 | Modern China | 3 |
| HI 317 | Modern Japan | 3 |
| HI 319 | Colloquium in Chinese History | 3 |
| HI 362 | Topics in Pre Modern History ( Asian topics) | 3 |
| HI 363 | Topics in Non-Western History (including Ethnic Hisory in China, China's Mlitary Systems adn History, Imperial Rome adn China, and Samurai Japan) | 3 |
| HI 371 | Nation-Building | 3 |
| Political, Economic, and Sociological Studies (choose 2) | ||
| IN 350 | Topics in International Studies | 3 |
| PO 301 | Special Topics in International Relations (Asian Studies) | 3 |
| PO 320 | Topics in Area Studies (Asian topics) | 3 |
| PO 348 | Asian Politics | 3 |
| SO 300 | Topics in Sociology (Asian topics) | 3 |
| Total Cr. | 18 | |
Courses
CN 111 Beginning Chinese I 6 Cr.
An intensive course providing an introduction to the Mandarin language, including both traditional Chinese characters and the Pinyin transliteration system. In this course, speaking proficiency (including familiarization with Chinese tones), aural comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, reading and writing of Chinese characters are brought to a level enabling students to use the language actively in everyday situations. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Not open to students who have successfully completed CN 205 or higher. Prerequiste: Appropriate score on placement exam.
CN 112 Beginning Chinese II 6 Cr.
A continuation of CN 111, with continued emphasis on each of the language skill areas--speaking, listening, vocabulary, reading and writing. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: CN 111 or equivalent NU placement. Not open to students who have suceessfully completed CN 205 or higher.
CN 1XX Chinese Elective 3 Cr.
CN 205 Intermediate Chinese I 3 Cr.
A course providing aural-oral practice in Chinese, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, and the viewing of selected Chinese films and documentary materials from Chinese-language television. Taught in Chinese. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: CN 112, NU language placement exam, or permission of the instructor.
CN 206 Intermediate Chinese II 3 Cr.
A course providing aural-oral practice in Chinese, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, and the viewing of selected Chinese films and documentary materials from Chinese television. Taught in Chinese. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: CN 205 or the equivalent, NU language placement exam. 3 lecture hours.
CN 2XX Intermediate Chinese Elective 3 Cr.
CN 301 Advanced Chinese I 3 Cr.
Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Chinese texts. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 206, NU placement, or permission of instructor.
CN 302 Advanced Chinese II 3 Cr.
Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Chinese texts. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. Classroom: 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 301, NU placement, or permission of instructor.
CN 311 Media Chinese 3 Cr.
This course builds students’ Chinese media literacy by systematically exposing them to Chinese broadcast news, newspapers, online news and videos, and TV shows. This course aims to develop all five language skills areas: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and control of the necessary background information (cultural competency) with particular emphasis on the challenges posed by the rapid pace of radio and TV news broadcasts. Topics include, but are not limited to, daily news broadcasts, economic, cultural and sports news. Each topic integrates authentic audiovisual and print materials from various media resources. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisites: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently) or NU placement test results. 3 lecture hours per week. Fall term even years.
CN 321 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society I 1911-1949 3 Cr.
Introduction to major currents in Chinese social, literary, and cultural history from 1911 to 1949. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU placement, or permission of instructor.
CN 322 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society II 1949-Present 3 Cr.
Introduction to major currents in Chinese social, literary, and cultural history from 1949 to present. Taught in Chinese. Classroom: 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU placement, or permission of instructor.
CN 331 Advanced Chinese Composition and Conversation (I) 3 Cr.
A study of original Chinese journalistic texts to elevate students’ Chinese language proficiency in writing and composition, oral reports and discussion, reading and comprehension, and in Chinese-English/English-Chinese translation. Prerequisite: CN 302 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.
CN 332 Advanced Chinese Composition and Conversation (II) 3 Cr.
A study of original Chinese literary texts to elevate students’ Chinese language proficiency in writing and composition, oral reports and discussion, reading and comprehension, and in Chinese-English/English-Chinese translation. Prerequisite: CN 331 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.
CN 365 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society III: 221 BCE-1911 3 Cr.
A survey of representative Chinese classical works – novels, short stories. Prose, poetry, and traditional operatic dramas – during Qin Dynasty (221-226 BCE), Han Dynasty (960-1279), Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Lectures, readings, discussions and written reports in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.
CN 366 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society IV: Beginning-221 BCE 3 Cr.
A survey of Chinese literary, historical and philosophical writings, legends. Folklore, myth, songs, and poems from Zhou Dynasty (1045 BCE-256 BCE), Shang Dynasty (1600 BCE- 1046 BCE), Xia Dynasty (2100 BCE-1600 BCE) and before. Lectures, readings, discussions and written reports in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.
CN 399 Topics 3 Cr.
CN 3XX Advanced Chinese Elective 3 Cr.