Asian Studies Curriculum Overview
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 2019-2020 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 in 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 121 Beginning Chinese I 4 Cr.
Students progress along the first steps towards acquiring basic languages skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with a focus on their use for several modes of communication, such as the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative, within the context of the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world. For students with little or no previous exposure to Chinese 4 lecture hours. Pre-reqs: none.
CN 122 Beginning Chinese II 4 Cr.
Students continue progress toward novice-high skill levels in speaking, listening, reading, and writing - and their use in several modes of communication: the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative - all within the context of the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world. 4 lecture hours. Pre-req: CN 121 or NU Placement test.
CN 1XX Chinese Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
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 122 or NU Placement test.
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 Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
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 312 Business Chinese 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of China's changing macro-economic enviornment and current buisness practices relating to finance and marketing. Buisness knowledge is presented as a means to facilitate language learning. Emphasis will be given to a higher level of language proficiency and acquisition of a wide range of vocabulary, common phrases, and other linguistic conventions designed to prepare students for the world of buisness. Topics include, but are not limited to, open door policy, China's banking reforms, the stock market, and marketing. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisites: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours per week.
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 399EN Topics 3 Cr.
CN 3XX Advanced Chinese Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
CN 415 Senior Seminar 3 Cr.
This course is an integrative capstone experience for all chinese majors in the last semester of their senior year. This course encourages independent thinking, intensive student participation, and in-depth research on topics of the student's choice related to the seminar's topic. This course helps students improve their ability to read, write and talk about politics, buisness and popular culture in China. Topics include, but not limited to, popular culture, social change, cultural traditions, history and politics. Each topic integrates authentic audiovisual and print materials from various media resources. Taught in Chinese. Open to Chinese majors in their senior year, or others with permission of the instructure. 3 class hours per week. Taught every year in the spring semester.