Asian Studies
Director: (Acting Director) Heidi Marx
Campus Address/General Office: 3rd Floor Fletcher Argue Bldg.
Telephone: 204 474-6626
Email Address: Asian_studies@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/Asian_studies/
Program Information
Asia is home to approximately 60 percent of the world’s population. Asian nations have emerged as major economic powers while their populations are asserting their own cultural and historical identities. With this comes an expectation that Western nations will take an interest not only in the economic potential of the continent but also in its rich cultural heritage.
The Asian Studies Centre was established in 1990 to stimulate and organize teaching and research on Asia. Faculty attached to the centre offer instruction in the languages and culture of China, India and Japan. As well, specialists in other departments offer Asia-related courses that can be used for a Major or Minor in Asian Studies.
For entry, continuation and graduation requirements for the General Degree, Advanced Degree and Honours Degree, see: Basic Faculty Regulations for the B.A. General, Advanced and Honours Degree Programs.
Major Program
For entry to the Major, the prerequisite is a grade of “C” or better in any combination of 6 credit hours from List A or List B.
A minimum "C" average in all courses that comprise the Major is required to graduate including the higher grade of repeated courses and excluding failed courses.
Minor (Concentration) Program
For entry to the Minor (Concentration), the prerequisite is a grade of “C” or better in any combination of 6 credit hours from List A or List B.
Programs
| Degree/Diploma | Years to Completion | Total Credit Hours | Has Co-op Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/Diploma Asian Studies, B.A. General | Years to Completion 3 | Total Credit Hours 90 | Has Co-op Option no |
| Degree/Diploma Asian Studies, Minor (Concentration) | Total Credit Hours 18 | Has Co-op Option no |
Courses
Asian Studies
A study of major themes in the history and culture of China and Japan, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia from ancient times to around 1500. Also offered as History HIST 1420. May not hold credit with HIST 1420.
Equiv To: HIST 1420
Mutually Exclusive: HIST 1410
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses, Written English Requirement
A study of major themes in the history and culture of China and Japan, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia in modern times. Also offered as History HIST 1430. May not hold credit with HIST 1430.
Equiv To: HIST 1430
Mutually Exclusive: HIST 1410
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses, Written English Requirement
(Lab required) An introduction to spoken and written Korean for students with little or no previous knowledge of the language. Students will be taught basic pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, as well as the Hangul writing system. Students who have received all or a portion of their elementary or secondary education in the Korean language may not normally enrol. Not open to students who have previously obtained credit in ASIA 2750.
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
An introduction to modern vernacular (Mandarin) Chinese in spoken and written form. Grounding in pronunciation, basic grammar, vocabulary, and some written characters. Students who have received all or a portion of their elementary or secondary education in the Chinese language may not normally enrol. Not open to students who have previously obtained credit for ASIA 2760 or ASIA 3760 or the former ASIA 2360.
Equiv To: ASIA 2360
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
This course teaches basic Japanese grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and about 190 written characters. The course is intended for students with no prior knowledge of Japanese. Students with prior knowledge of the language are required to take a placement test or to meet with the Program Director or designate for an interview. This includes heritage learners (students who speak the language and/or whose family member(s) communicate with them in the language) and students whose knowledge comes from self-study, private instruction, or who have studied Japanese at high school or at institutions other than the University of Manitoba. Not open to students who previously obtained credit for ASIA 2770 or ASIA 3770.
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
Students will first learn the Devanagari script then proceed to reading, writing, conversation, grammar and vocabulary. Not open to students who previously obtained credit for ASIA 2780.
Attributes: Humanities
Training in conversation, reading and writing of modern standard Hindi and some elements of Urdu. Students will learn to read and write the Devanagari script, and learn the basic grammar of the language. Not open to students who have previously obtained credit for the former ASIA 2790 or the former ASIA 3790.
Attributes: Humanities
An interdisciplinary study of the Indian subcontinent from the ancient to the contemporary period, focusing on geographic, religious, historic, sociological, and political developments. Students may not hold credit for both ASIA 2080 and the former ASIA 2070.
Mutually Exclusive: ASIA 2070
Attributes: Humanities
This course will focus on the presentation of various aspects of twentieth century Chinese culture through the medium of film. Films will be selected largely from those recently produced in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with some attention to recent North American movies by ethnic Chinese directors.
Attributes: Humanities
This course will focus on the cinematic presentation of women in Chinese films. Films will be selected largely from those produced recently in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, as well as in North America by ethnic Chinese directors. The intention is to review how the image of women as reflected in Chinese cinema has changed with time, place, and modern technology.
Attributes: Humanities
A survey of cinematic art in Japan, with emphasis on the major directors and trends of the postwar period. Films to be studied will be drawn from the work of Mizoguchi, Ozu, Kurosawa, the "New Wave" directors of the 1960s, the comedies of Itami, and films of contemporary directors such as Kitano and Miyazaki.
Attributes: Humanities
A study of 20th and 21st century Chinese literature (in English translation) from the May 4th Movement to the present. With a special focus on prose fiction, students will be introduced to the historical and critical context of literary production in modern China. Lectures and texts in English. Students may not hold credit for both ASIA 2610 and the former ASIA 2660.
Mutually Exclusive: ASIA 2660
Attributes: Humanities
An interdisciplinary study of Japanese civilization from earliest times to the Meiji Restoration. All aspects of traditional Japanese culture will be examined, including geography, religion, philosophy, history, sociology, economics and politics. The nature of Japanese cultural identity will be taken as a unifying theme.
Attributes: Humanities
An interdisciplinary study of Chinese civilization from earliest times to the Opium War. All aspects of traditional Chinese culture will be examined, including geography, religion, philosophy, history, sociology, economics, and politics. A central unifying theme will be the examination of Chinese cultural identity.
Attributes: Humanities
A study of pre-modern Chinese literature up to 1911. Includes writings in early history and philosophy, essays, poetry, short stories and novels. Lectures and texts in English.
Attributes: Humanities
This course focuses on the contemporary literature of the Chinese diaspora. Through a reading of prose fiction by writers of Chinese ethnicity living in locations like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Australia and North America, we will explore the notion of "different ways of being Chinese." Some of the material studied will have been originally written in English, but much of it will be read in English translation. Lectures and texts in English.
Attributes: Humanities
This course is intended as an introduction to Japanese Literature from the Meiji era (1868-1912) to the present day. Although some attention will be paid to poetry, the emphasis will be on short stories and the novel.
Attributes: Humanities
(Lab required) A continuation of the study of spoken and written Korean for students who have successfully completed ASIA 1750. Students will be taught advanced pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Students who have received all or a portion of their elementary or secondary education in the Korean language may not normally enrol except by special permission of the instructor.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 1750] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
Continues the introduction of basic vocabulary, grammatical structures, and written characters. Emphasis will be given to the development of aural/oral skills. Not open to students who have previously obtained credit for ASIA 3760 or the former ASIA 2360.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 1760] or written consent of instructor.
Equiv To: ASIA 2360
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
For students who have taken Japanese ASIA 1770. Continues the introduction of basic vocabulary, grammatical structures and more written characters. Greater emphasis will be given to the development of aural/oral skills. Not open to students who have previously obtained credit in ASIA 3770.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 1770] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities, Recommended Intro Courses
Advanced grammar, vocabulary, and syntax to enable the student to read epic and pauranic materials.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 1780] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
An intensive study of specially selected authors or themes in Asian Studies. The particular subject will vary year to year. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of Asian Studies coordinator.
Attributes: Humanities
An intensive study of specially selected authors or themes in Asian Studies. The particular subject will vary year to year. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of Asian Studies coordinator.
Attributes: Humanities
(Lab required) An overview and practical introduction to the Japanese theatre. Combines the study of theatre history and representative traditional and modern genres (kagura, nō, kyōgen, kabuki, bunraku, shingeki) with training in traditional movement and dance, and the performance of short , kyōgen plays.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [at least one of :ASIA 1770 or ASIA 2620 or THTR 1220] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
A study of selected works of Asian literature organized around specific themes or genres in English translation. Content may vary from year to year, but will include literary works from two or more regions and two or more historical periods. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 1420 (or HIST 1420) or ASIA 1430 (or HIST 1430)] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
This course examines various examples of popular culture in contemporary Japan, including popular literature, film, television, popular music, and leisure activities. Attention will also be paid to popular culture theory and methods of analysis.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 2620] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
A continuation of the study of spoken and written Korean for students who have successfully completed ASIA 2750. Students will engage in group projects, discussions, and presentations on topics covered in the course and in a range of communicative situations. Students will also be introduced to authentic examples of Korean novels, essays, journal articles, movies, TV dramas, and selections from Korean history and arts. Students who have received all or a portion of their elementary or secondary education in the Korean language may not normally enroll except by special permission of the instructor.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 2750] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
This course is for those who have taken Intermediate Chinese or who have obtained basic language skills in Mandarin Chinese elsewhere. A balanced approach to reading, writing, and aural/oral skills will be employed. Students will use advanced prepared texts and will also be introduced to selected examples of contemporary Chinese literature. Not open to students who previously obtained credit for the former ASIA 3660 or the former ASIA 2360.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 2760] or written consent of instructor.
Equiv To: ASIA 2360
Attributes: Humanities
This course is designed for those who have taken ASIA 2770 Intermediate Japanese or have basic linguistic skills in Japanese and wish to improve their ability in the Japanese language previously acquired.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 2770] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
This course allows students to further develop their skills in the Japanese language through a focus on reading. Course material will be drawn from examples of modern literature and film scripts.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 3770] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities
This course analyses structures and usage of the Japanese language, using linguistic methodology to understand the language and associated social, cultural, psychological, and cognitive factors.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [ASIA 2770] or written consent of instructor.
Attributes: Humanities