Fall 1999

Professor Judith Walsh

SUNY - Old Westbury

This course introduces students to the traditional history and cultures of India, China and Japan. In it we will explore the major historical events and traditions, ideas, values and social systems of these regions as they came into existence in the past and continue today to shape the lives of people in these regions. Throughout the course students are encouraged to explore honestly their personal reactions to the unfamiliar ways of life of these regions while at the same time, gaining the ability to view each culture from its own point of view.

Books:

R.K. Narayan, Ramayana

Arthur Waley tr., The Analects of Confucius

On reserve in library-Xeroxed maps, worksheets, text assignments

Course Requirements and Grades:

Mid-term and Final Examination: 50% of grade

Bi-weekly quizzes, in class assignments, group work : 20% of grade

[Please note: there will be no makeups for missed quizzes]

Two 'reaction papers': 30% of grade

(3-5 pages each) discussing and describing your 'reaction' to one of the following activities relating to a specific Asian country: museum visits, films, dance concerts, restaurant meals, television programs or other activities (with instructor's approval)

Attendance:

Attendance is required. Students with more than four unexcused absences may be asked to withdraw from the course.

Aug 30 Introduction

Part I: South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

Sept 1 A. South Asian Civilization:

1. Geography and Origins

Reading: On reserve 4-6; 13-20

"Rig Veda," ON RESERVE 36-36.4; 38

September 6: School Closed for Labor Day

Sept. 8, 13 2. Historical Development of Hinduism: Reincarnation, Karma

Reading: ON RESERVE, 6-13

"The Story of Pandu", Mahabharata in ON RESERVE, 54-58

"The Creation of the Four Varnas" Laws of Manu in ON RESERVE, 39-40

The Ramayana [begin reading]

Video: "India: Echoes and Memories" [Audio Visual/Library]

Sept. 15, 22 3. Historical Development of Hinduism: Dharma [duty], Artha [gain],

Kama [love], Moksha [release]

Reading: "Duties of the Four Varnas" The Mahabharata on "The Duties of the Classes" ON RESERVE, 40-41

"Four Stages of Life" various Hindu Law Codes ON RESERVE, 42-47

Selection from The Upanishads, ON RESERVE, 38

Selections from The Bhagavadgita [Mahabharata] ON RESERVE, 48-52

The Ramayana [continue reading]

September 20: School Closed for Yom Kippur

Sept. 27, 29 4. Guidelines for Individual Conduct: Rama, Sita and Savitri

Sept. 29: AV: "Devi"

Oct 4 Reading: The Ramayana [finish; for class see especially: 34-64; 56; 87-95;160-162]

"Two Additions" to The Ramayana, ON RESERVE, 59-59.3

"The Story of Savitri" Mahabharata, ON RESERVE, 61-68

"Yes to Sita, No to Ram" Madhu Kishwar, ON RESERVE 68.5; 68.12

Oct. 6 5. Historical Development, II: Buddhism and Jainism) and the impact of Islam

Reading: Buddhism and Jainism ON RESERVE, 52-53

October 11: School Closed for Columbus Day

Oct. 13 FIRST REACTION PAPER DUE: October 13

6. History of Modern South Asia: The Caste System

Reading: ON RESERVE, 20-34

"Inside the Village Womb" ON RESERVE, 69-72

Oct. 18 Review for Midterm

Oct. 20 MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Part II: East Asia: China and Japan

Oct. 25 Introduction: the East Asian World: Geography and Culture

Reading: Maps ON RESERVE, 73-73.2

"Read the Landscape, Read the People," ON RESERVE, 73.3-73.8

"The Great Wall," ON RESERVE, 73.9

"Three Gorges Dam" ON RESERVE 84-93

Oct. 25: Video: "Eating"

Oct. 27 A. CHINA

Nov 1 1. Chinese views on Harmony and History

Reading: ON RESERVE, 102-127

Dream of the Red Chamber, 168-170

[The Analects of Confucius: begin reading]

Nov. 3 2. Confucius and the Confucian Tradition

Reading: ON RESERVE, 128-134

The Analects of Confucius [See also "Sayings of Confucius" handout]

Nov. 8 3. Daoism: the Dao ["Way"] of Nature

Reading: Selections from the Daoist Sources" ON RESERVE, 135-139

Nov 10 Chinese Language and Caligraphy

Reading: Chinese Languages, ON RESERVE, 94-101

Special guest lecture: Professor He Dongming, Wuyi University

Nov. 15 4. Buddhism in China

Reading: "Selections from Mahayana Buddhism" ON RESERVE 140-143

Monkey, Ch. XIV, XXVII, ON RESERVE, 112 and on (unpaged)

Nov 17, 22 6. Traditional History: Dynasties, Emperors, Examinations and Peasants

Reading: "The Lady Who Was a Beggar" ON RESERVE, 144-153

AV: "Small Happiness"

Nov. 24 7. Traditional Chinese Views in the Context of Modern Chinese History

Reading: Modern China, ON RESERVE 171-176

"Chairman Mao is a Rotten Egg" ON RESERVE, 177-192

November 26-29: Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 29 SECOND REACTION PAPER DUE: Nov. 29^th

C. Japan:

1. Introduction/Geography

Reading: Maps et.al. ON RESERVE, 148–148.2

"Short History of Japan" ON RESERVE, 149-154; 155–165

Dec. 1 3. Traditional History of Japan: Aristocrats, Samurai and Merchants

Reading: ""Yugao" ON RESERVE

"The Tale of the Heike" ON RESERVE

Dec. 6 2. Modern Japanese History and Perspectives

Reading: Bringing Home the Sushi, selections ON RESERVE

Reischauer, "The Group" and "Individuality" ON

RESERVE

Dec. 9 Review for FINAL EXAMINATION

DEC 13—DEC 17 FINAL EXAMINATION

Copyright © 2000 Project South Asia and Judith Walsh.  May be copied for educational purposes only.  Commercial use is prohibited without permission of Judith Walsh.