skip to Main Content
Home About UH Academic Calendar Courses Undergraduate Education Graduate Education Degrees, Minors, & Certificates Colleges, Schools, & Academic Units

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SAMPLE COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

GENERAL EDUCATION DESIGNATION

DEPARTMENTS OFFERING DIVERSIFICATION COURSES

Courses

Asian Studies (ASAN)

School of Pacific and Asian Studies

ASAN 101 Introduction to Asian Studies (3) Introductory course focuses on change and continuity in the history, culture, values, and political institutions of South, East, and Southeast Asia, and the region’s interrelationships with the rest of the world. A-F only. DH

ASAN 201 Introduction to Asian Studies: East Asia (3) Understanding East Asia through multidisciplinary approaches. Examines the interrelationship of policies, economy, literature, religion, the arts, and history as the basis for such an understanding. DH

ASAN 202 Introduction to Asian Studies: South/Southeast Asia (3) Understanding South and Southeast Asia through multidisciplinary approaches. Examines the interrelationship of policies, economy, literature, religion, the arts, and history as the basis for such an understanding. DH

ASAN 308 Chinese Political Economy (3) Interdisciplinary review and analysis of the social and political issues in contemporary China, the interchange between state and society in national policies, the relationship between cultural tradition and technological modernization in the social transformation process. A-F only. Pre: sophomore standing or higher, or consent. (Cross-listed as POLS 308) DS

ASAN 310 Asian Humanities (3) Multidisciplinary. Classics of literature, philosophy, and religion shaping Asian beliefs and values. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent. DH

ASAN 312 Contemporary Asian Civilization (3) Multidisciplinary examination of problems and issues affecting peoples and institutions of contemporary Asia: ethnic, language, religious, and cultural differences; population growth; public health; economic development; political and social change; environmental problems; etc. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent. DS

ASAN 320 (Alpha) Asian Nation Studies (3) Multidisciplinary examination of major Asian countries; cultural, social, economic, and political lives of their peoples. (C) China; (I) South Asia; (J) Japan; (K) Korea; (O) Okinawa; (P) Philippines; (S) Southeast Asia; (Z) Other. Repeatable three times in different alphas. DS

ASAN 323 The Way of Tea in Japanese History and Culture (3) History and culture of Japan as revealed in study and practice of tea ceremony: Zen, aesthetics, calligraphy, architecture, ceramics, gardens, politics. (Cross-listed as HIST 323) DH

ASAN 324 Chado-the Way of Tea Practicum (2) Actual practice of the tea ceremony as history and culture of Japan. Repeatable one time. Pre: 323 (or concurrent), HIST 323 (or concurrent), or consent. DA

ASAN 325 (Alpha) Japanese Film: Art and History (3) Study and analysis of Japanese film; its history and relationship to cultural, social, philosophical, and aesthetic contexts. (B) 1900-1960; (C) 1960-present; (D) special topics. Pre: upper division standing or consent. (Cross-listed as EALL 325) DH

ASAN 330 Chinese Film: Art and History (3) Study and analysis of Chinese film; its history and relationship to cultural, social, philosophical, and aesthetic contexts. (Cross-listed as EALL 330) DH

ASAN 356 Geography of Southeast Asia (3) An investigation of the development context of Southeast Asia including socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental resources. Problems and prospects for change. Sophomore standing or higher. (Cross-listed as GEOG 356) DS

ASAN 360 Buddhist Philosophy (3) Survey of central thinkers and schools. Pre: any course 100 or above in PHIL, CHN, JPN, PALI, SNSK, or TIB; or consent. (Cross-listed as PHIL 360) DH

ASAN 361 Southeast Asian Literature in Translation (3) Survey in English traditional and modern literatures of Southeast Asia. A-F only. (Cross-listed as IP 361) DL

ASAN 364 20th-Century Chinese Women Writers (3) A survey and critical examination of contemporary Chinese women writers from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Traces a genealogy of women’s writing from the early 1920s up until now through novels, poetry, drama, and film. Pre: one DH or DL course, or consent. (Cross-listed as EALL 364 and WS 346) DL

ASAN 393 (Alpha) Field Study in Asia (3) Students may submit proposals to have academic course work, field research, or work experience in Asia. See specific center for guidelines and procedures. (C) China; (I) South Asia; (J) Japan; (K) Korea; (P) Philippines; (S) Southeast Asia; (Z) Other. Repeatable one time. A-F only for (C), (I), (J), (S), and (Z).

ASAN 406 Modern Philippines (3) Survey of major developments from pre-colonial through Spanish and American colonial periods, the revolution, Japanese occupation, and post-war republic. (Cross-listed as HIST 406) DH

ASAN 407 Peace Processes in Philippines and Hawai‘i (3) History of Philippine Islam and the Moro struggle, the peace process in Mindanao and sovereignty movement for Hawaiian nation. 75 min. Lec, 75-min. joint online discussion with Philippine students. Junior standing only. A-F only. Pre: consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as PACE 407) DH

ASAN 410 Gender and Politics in U.S.-Okinawa Relations (3) Examines gender in Okinawa in relation to historical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region with attention to issues such as militarism and violence, colonialism and memory, and tourism and commodification of indigenous culture. A-F only. Pre: WS 151 or consent. (Cross-listed as WS 410)

ASAN 411 Comparative Muslim Societies in Asia (3) Will compare Muslim societies and cultures in Asia with each other and with the so-called "core" Middle Eastern Muslim societies. Junior standing or higher. A-F only. (Alt. years) DH

ASAN 420 Korean Cinema (3) Develop an understanding of Korean culture and society through visual, narrative, and contextual analysis of Korean films. Topics include post-Korean War experience, compressed modernity, authoritarianism, and post-authoritarian transformation. Special attention to independent films. A-F only. DH

ASAN 422 Contested Issues Korea and Japan (3) In-depth understanding of Korean-Japanese relations in the past and present by examining conflicting views and interpretations by Japanese, Korean, and Western scholars on important issues that divide the people of East Asia. A-F only. DH

ASAN 438 Sustainable Asian Development: Impact of Globalization (3) Investigates the impact of globalization on sustainable development in Asia. Globalization and sustainability often contradict, raising serious planning issues. Examines how these issues affect Asian development policies and urban planning. Pre: 310 or 312 or PLAN 310, or consent. (Cross-listed as PLAN 438) DS

ASAN 442 Globalization and Identity in the Himalayas (3) Examines the influence of local culture and global flows on identity formation in the Himalayan region. Topics include: Hindu caste and gender, constructions of ethnicity, Tibetans and tourists, Sherpas and mountaineers, development ideologies, and consumerism. Sophomore standing or higher. Pre: 202 or ANTH 152 or ANTH 301 or consent. (Alt. years: fall) (Cross-listed as ANTH 442) DS

ASAN 449 Asian Cities: Evolution of Urban Space (3) Reviews the evolution of Asian urban space. Political history, migration, culture, and production are the determinants of urban changes. Uses visual material to illustrate the change in Asian cityscape. Pre: 310 or PLAN 310 or ASAN 312, or consent. (Cross-listed as PLAN 449)

ASAN 462 Contested Issues in Contemporary Japan (3) Familiarizes students with public discourse in Japan by analyzing key current issues widely debated in the Japanese media and in public forums in light of their political, historical, cultural, social and economic contexts. A-F only. Pre: 312 or any of 320J, ANTH 483, ANTH 484, ECON 317, POLS 307H, SOC 357, or knowledge of Japan with consent. DS

ASAN 463 Gender Issues in Asian Society (3) Construction of gender identities in contemporary Asia. How these interface with other aspects of social difference and inequality (e.g., with class, religion, ethnicity). (Cross-listed as WS 463) DS

ASAN 464 K-pop and J-pop: Korean and Japanese Popular Music and Society (3) Examines modern Japan and South Korea through popular music. Examines genres from early popular music, today’s K-pop and J-pop music. A-F only. (Summer only)

ASAN 465 Japan Cool: Anime, Manga, and Film (3) Focus on the world of Japanese anime, manga, and films. What can one learn about Japan from these products? Focus on issues of gender, national identity, and race. A-F only. (Summer only)

ASAN 469 Ethnic Diversity in China (3) Surveying Tibetans, Mongols, Manchus, Muslims, and other minorities, as well as analyzing the nature of minority/majority identity in China from an anthropological perspective. DS

ASAN 470 Sustainable Development in East Asia (3) Interdisciplinary investigation of development in East Asia is an urgent issue. Status and role of Asian business; current technological, economic, and financial developments; impact on world economy. A-F only. (Cross-listed as FIN 470)

ASAN 471 Introduction to Contemporary Asian Cinema (3) Acquaint students with significant films from the major countries in Asia and how these films reflect and comment on profound social, political, and historical changes that have occurred in recent decades. DH

ASAN 473 Topics in Chinese Cultural Studies: Visual Culture–Chinese Diaspora (3) Multi-disciplinary and historically located study of Chinese culture through the examination of literary/visual texts and critical essays from cultural studies. Specific topics will depend upon term. Repeatable one time with consent. Pre: any 300- or 400-level DL or DH course. (Cross-listed as EALL 473) DH

ASAN 474 Transnational Chinese Popular Culture (3) Survey of contemporary Chinese popular entertainment forms that are produced and appreciated transnationally. Examples include martial arts genres, kung fu films, commercial novels, ballroom dancing, karaoke culture, music videos and rock music. Material will be selected based upon availability and readings will include critical essays from the fields of popular culture, media studies, and literary criticism. Pre: any 300- or 400-level DL or DH course. (Cross-listed as EALL 474) DH

ASAN 478 Music Cultures: India (3) Approaches the cultural study of music and performance through a specific focus on South Asia. Pre: junior standing or consent. (Cross-listed as MUS 478H)

ASAN 480 Culture and Economy of Southeast Asia (3) An exploration of the cultural and economic development of the countries of Southeast Asia from early times to the present day, with an emphasis on the effects of outside influences. DH

ASAN 481 Film, Culture, and Modernity in Southeast Asia (3) Examines interplay between tradition and modernity; religion and secularism; individual and collective; youth, wisdom, and the world; and role of gender identification/community response as they find articulation in medium of film across Southeast Asia. Repeatable one time. Junior standing or higher. A-F only. DH

ASAN 482 Asia Through Fiction (3) Explores core values and cultural principles of the four major Asian region as represented in major works of fiction from those regions. (Spring only) DH

ASAN 483 Imperialism, Colonialism, and Nationalism in Southeast Asia (3) Theoretical and historical analysis of a global, nineteenth, and twentieth century phenomenon using an interdisciplinary approach organized around lectures, readings, and discussions. (Fall only) DH

ASAN 485 Contemporary Chinese Development (3) Development and planning in contemporary China: economic policy and institutional structure in the development and urbanization process; urban and rural transformation in a socialist economy. Pre: upper division standing or consent. DS

ASAN 491 (Alpha) Topics in Asian Studies (3) Selected topics in Asian studies. (C) China; (G) Asia; (I) South Asia; (J) Japan; (K) Korea; (P) Philippines; (S) Southeast Asia; (Z) Other. Each alpha is repeatable two times. DS

ASAN 492 Women and Revolution (3) Conditions under which women’s activism and participation in protest and revolutionary movements developed in the 19th- and 20th-centuries. Cross-cultural comparisons. (Cross-listed as HIST 492 and WS 492) DH

ASAN 493 Globalization in Asia (3) Globalization affects the economic, political, and cultural lives of people in Asia. Transformations by capitalism in agricultural and industrial sectors of contemporary societies. Perspective is historical and global; approach is interdisciplinary. Repeatable two times. DS

ASAN 494 Food, Culture, and Politics in Asia (3) Examines Asia’s role in the development of global foodways. Topics include the relationship between spices and imperialism, global popularity of Asian cuisines, Asian-influenced "hapa" cuisine in Hawai‘i, McDonaldization in Asia, and food security and sustainability. A-F only. DH

ASAN 495 Encountering Tourism in Asian-Pacific Societies (3) A critical examination and current impact of tourism on contemporary Asian and Pacific Island societies. Topics include colonial antecedents, social impacts, cultural and environmental concerns, case studies (including Hawai‘i). (Cross-listed as PACS 495) DS

ASAN 496 Religions of Island Southeast Asia (3) A comparative, interdisciplinary examination of indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism in island Southeast Asia, and how they have been adjusted because of economic and social change. DH

ASAN 499 Directed Reading (V) Repeatable three times. Pre: consent.

ASAN 500 Master’s Plan B/C Studies (1) Enrollment for degree completion. Repeatable six times. ASAN majors only. Pre: master’s Plan B or C candidate and consent.

ASAN 600 Approaches to Asian Studies (3) Major issues in and approaches to the interdisciplinary study of Asia and Asian regions; resources for the advanced study of Asia at UH; developing a research focus; preparing and presenting research proposals. (C) China; (I) South Asia; (J) Japan; (K) Korea; (P) Philippines; (S) Southeast Asia; (Z) Inter-Asia. Pre: graduate standing.

ASAN 605 Practicum in Asian Studies (V) Repeatable two times (for a maximum of three times) with consent.

ASAN 608 Politics and Development: China (3) Consists of three parts: key theories for socialist transition as basis for seminar discussion, policy evolution to illustrate the radical changes, and emerging and prominent current development and practice. (Cross-listed as POLS 645C and PLAN 608)

ASAN 611 Comparative Muslim Societies in Asia (3) Will compare Muslim societies and cultures in Asia with each other and with the so-called "core" Middle Eastern Muslim societies. Pre: 600 or consent.

ASAN 612 Topics in 20th Century Chinese Literary and Cultural Studies (3) Critical scholarship in Chinese literature and cultural studies, broadly defined to include the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and others. Reading knowledge of Chinese desirable but not required. Repeatable one time with consent. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as EALL 611)

ASAN 618 Contemporary China: Development and Culture (3) Selected topics on contemporary China. Center for Chinese Studies has details of current offering. Repeatable one time with consent. Pre: 312 or 320C, or consent.

ASAN 620 Problems/Issues of Contemporary Asia (3) Analysis from multidisciplinary perspective: rural development, urbanization, international relations, ethnicity, religion, language, etc. Repeatable one time with different topics. Pre: 312 or consent.

ASAN 623 Gender in Asian Performing Arts (3) Performance is a rich site for gender construction, critique, and articulation in Asia. This seminar examines gender reflected in traditional music, dance, and theatre, including character role and performer persona; approaches of performance and culture studies, and an "Asian way." A-F only. (Once a year)

ASAN 624 Culture and Colonialism (3) Analysis of theories and debates (cultural studies, feminist writings, post-colonial issues). Case studies of the transformation and creation of "traditional" cultures under colonialism. Pre: 310 or 312, or consent.

ASAN 625 Comparative Development in East and Southeast Asia (3) Comparative developmental analysis of Asia’s leading economic powers. Considers Japanese political and economic developmental model; discusses problems for continued Asian growth; examines Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and other Asian nations. Pre: 312, 600, or consent.

ASAN 626 Capitalism in Contemporary Asia (3) Historically grounded theoretical examination of capitalism in 20th-century Asia; multidisciplinary approach to fundamental change in political and economic structures and institutions, prospects for the future. Pre: 600 or 625, or consent.

ASAN 627 Ethnic Nationalism in Asia (3) Contemporary theories of ethnic and cultural nationalism from perspective of Asia. Issues of nation-state, power hierarchies, modernity, and identity in contemporary societies. Pre: 310 (or concurrent) or 312 (or concurrent), or consent.

ASAN 628 Southeast Asian Development: Costs and Benefits (3) Interdisciplinary approach to broad economic, social, and political issues. Focus on benefits and costs of economic development and effects on local cultures. Exploration of dilemmas of modernization and comparison of societal responses to development. Repeatable one time. Pre: 312 or consent.

ASAN 629 Asian Security Cultures (3) Comparative study of conceptualizations, practices and institutions of national security in Asia in light of their geographic and historic contexts. Pre: 310 and 312, or consent. (Once a year)

ASAN 630 Cultural Change and Globalization in Southeast Asia (3) Examines the ways global influences are shaping the cultural developments in the diverse societies of contemporary Southeast Asia. (Spring only)

ASAN 636 Culture and Urban Form in Asia (3) Cultural and historical impact on urban form, contention of tradition and modernity in urban space, spatial expression of state and society, perception and utilization of urban design, evolution of urban form in selected Asian capitals. Pre: 312, ARCH 341, PLAN 310, or PLAN 600. (Cross-listed as ARCH 687 and PLAN 636)

ASAN 638 Asian Development and Urbanization (3) Theories of globalization and sustainability in development, impacts of globalization and sustainability on development planning and policy formation, selected case studies of Asia-Pacific development. A-F only. Pre: (600 or PLAN 630) with a grade of B or above. (Cross-listed as GEOG 638 and PLAN 638)

ASAN 640 Topics in Japanese Literature (3) Intensive study of selected topics in Japanese literature, primarily of the modern period. English translations of original texts will be provided whenever available. Repeatable unlimited times with consent. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as JPN 640)

ASAN 649 Asian Cities: Historical Evolution of Urban Form (3) Examination of the impact of economy, society, and history on urban form; case studies of the evolution of Asian urban form. Pre: 312 or PLAN 310. (Once a year) (Cross-listed as PLAN 649)

ASAN 650 Marriage and Family in East Asia (3) Examines gendered/generational practices, expectations, and ideologies of marriage, childrearing, and caregiving; state’s role in legitimizing certain kinds of families; how transnational marriage migration is changing notions of belonging, relatedness, and national identity in East Asia. Graduate standing or consent.

ASAN 651 East Asia Now (3) Views East Asia as an interactive region. Examines common historical and cultural, economic and political themes including various experiences with the West. Focus upon present state of the region. A-F only. Pre: 310, 312; or consent.

ASAN 652 Contemporary Japanese Studies Seminar (3) Selected human and physical features that represent economic, social, and political life. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as GEOG 652)

ASAN 653 Major Authors in Modern Korean Literature (3) Advanced study of major Korean fiction writers from the 1910s to the present with emphasis on critical reading of their lives and writings to arrive at informed appraisal of their contribution to modern Korean literature. Repeatable one time. Pre: KOR 494 or consent.

ASAN 654 South Asia Now (3) Views South Asia as an interactive region. Examines common historical and cultural, economic, and political themes, including global interactions. Focus upon present state of the region. Graduate students only. A-F only. (Fall only)

ASAN 664 Topics and Issues in Modern Korean Literature (3) Intensive study of selected topics and issues in modern/contemporary Korean fiction, focusing on texts that problematize critical socio-cultural issues in the evolving contexts of modern Korean intellectual history. Repeatable one time. Pre: KOR 494 or consent.

ASAN 665 Special Topics in East Asian Literary Culture & Society (3) In-depth study of selected topics and issues in modern/contemporary East Asian literary and cultural studies using an interdisciplinary, inter-regional, and transnational approach, from an intercultural perspective. Repeatable two times in different topics, but need consent for second repeat. A-F only. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as EALL 665)

ASAN 671 The Splendor that was Southeast Asia (3) Interdisciplinary examination of the classical civilizations of Southeast Asia, the 9th to 14th centuries. Includes Pagan, Sukhothai, Angkor, Dai Viet, Srivijaya, and Majapahit. Considers historical themes and patterns, issues in Southeast Asian studies. A-F only. Pre: 310, 312; or consent.

ASAN 686 Law and Society in China (V) Overview of the historical foundations of Chinese law and introduction to the present legal system in the People’s Republic of China. Repeatable one time. (Cross-listed as LWPA 586)

ASAN 688 China’s International Relations (3) Examination of China’s rise and world view, review of China’s regional relations, China and U.S. relations, formation of a new world order. Pre: 600, 608, or POLS 645C, or consent.

ASAN 693 Field Study in Asia (V) With prior consent and supervision of an Asian Studies faculty, students design, conduct, and write the results of a field research project. Repeatable one time, up to six credits. Graduate students only.

ASAN 694 Topics in Buddhist Studies (3) Seminar on selected topics in Buddhist studies. Repeatable three times. Pre: PHIL 360, PHIL 406, REL 475, or REL 490; or consent.

ASAN 695 Asian Studies Master’s Plan B Culminating Experience (1) Students work with their advisor to select, revise, and defend a portfolio of work produced in seminars before a three-person faculty committee. Repeatable unlimited times, but credit earned one time only. ASAN majors only. Graduate students only. Pre: any 600(Alpha) or 750(Alpha).

ASAN 699 Directed Research (V) Individual problems and research. Repeatable unlimited times. Pre: consent.

ASAN 700 Thesis Research (V) Repeatable nine times.

ASAN 705 Asian Research Materials and Methods (3) Bibliography, reference tools, and research methods in sources on Asia in Western and Asian languages. Discussion of published and archival repositories. Repeatable one time. (Cross-listed as LIS 645)

ASAN 750 (Alpha) Research Seminar in Asian Studies (3) (C) China; (I) South Asia; (J) Japan; (K) Korea; (P) Philippines; (S) Southeast Asia. Pre: 600 or consent.

ASAN 792 Orientalism and Visual Culture (3) Investigates artistic representations, appropriations, and exchanges constructed on the basis of East/Orient vs. West/Occident differences. Includes analysis of: Orientalizing artistic traditions throughout history, history and concept of Orient, post-colonial critique of Orientalism. A-F only. Pre: graduate standing or consent. (Alt. 2-3 years) (Cross-listed as ART 792)