East Asian Studies (EAST) 317 L01
Understanding East Asia

Winter 2008
MWF 10:00-10:50 SS 113

Instructor:	Yumi Onozawa
Office Location:	SS 1304
Office Phone:	220-5612
E-Mail:	onozaway@ucalgary.ca (N.B. E-mails will be read and replied to only during university business hours: weekdays, 8:30am - 4:30pm)
Web Page:	none
Office Hours:	M 11:00-11:50 and13:00-13:50 or by appointment

 

Course Description

This course will introduce topics to comprehensively understand China and Japan, their nation, lifestyle, and culture.  The topics cover the area of history, religious views, economy, social issues, and the life of women.  A historical survey will trace the foundation of two countries and delineate the trajectories of their past.  A study of their religious views will demonstrate their worldviews, morality, and behavioral patterns.  A study of economic and social issues will explore the reasons for the rapid growth of their economy in modern history and the transformation of the two nations lifestyles.  The last topic, a study on the life of women outlines the changes in their mode of living and the role they play in society and domestic state.

Objectives of the Course

Student will learn about a wide range of issues with regard to China and Japan and acquire a foundational knowledge of the two countries, their nation, and cultures.  Through class discussions, they will acquire a deeper understanding of the issues and delve into the problems of each country. Through essay writing, in particular, they will acquire research skills appropriate for academic writing and develop the skills to present their research.

Textbooks and Readings

The course pack for EAST 317, available at the University Bookstore, 220-5937.

Assignments and Evaluation

1. Exams

a. Exam 1, February 25^th, 45 min, 25 %

b. Exam 2, April 4^th, 45 min, 25 %

c. Exam 3, April 18^th, 45 min, 10 %

-Exams will consist of two sections: multiple choice and short answer.  The exams are designed to test your knowledge of the class materials including the textbook, handouts, lectures, and films.

2. Essay

a. Essay proposal

-Due: March 3^rd.  5%

-Student will hand in a 2-page essay proposal.  It should contain a statement of the topic of his/her essay, the method structure (1 page) and bibliography (1 page).

-The topic should be related to the subjects of the course.

-The format will be double-spaced 1-inch margin, Times New Roman font, and 12 point font size.

-Submissions by e-mail will not be accepted.  Student must handed in a printed copy in class.

-Proposals will be given back to students after they are marked.  Students must hand in the proposal again when they submit their essay (attach it to the back of the essay).

-Students are allowed to change the essay topic after submitting their proposal.  However, they must submit a new proposal, otherwise, they will lose the total grade for this assignment.

b. Essay

-Due: April 11^th.  35%

-8-10 pages (Excluding title page and bibliography), double-spaced, typed and printed (Submissions by e-mail will not be accepted), 1-inch margin, Times New Roman font, and 12 point font size.

-Use the MLA or Chicago style for the reference format.

-References on the web may be used, as long as they are considered academic material such as e-journals and e-books. 

-Essays will be evaluated according to the following three components:

1. Mechanics (an introduction with a clearly stated topic and method, properly constructed sentences and paragraphs, footnotes or endnotes, citations, and bibliography),

2. Organization (use of appropriate sources, both direct and indirect reference, and the logical development of arguments), and

3. Comprehension and critical analysis (presentation of comprehensive understanding of the topic, critical evaluation, and original thinking).  (N.B. This is not a research paper.  Your critical analysis will be evaluated.)

General Comments

1. Exams and assignments must be written/submitted on the dates scheduled.  No exceptions will be made, except for death, significant illness, or domestic affliction (supported by a valid, original note from a physician or counselor). The instructor must be contacted within 24 hours of a missed exam or deadline either by e-mail or phone.

2. Students who are absent from class should make arrangements with a classmate for class notes or handouts.  Handouts will only be made available in class.  They will not be made available through e-mail or other electronic means, and the instructor will not loan out lecture notes.
3. Students must maintain "back up" copies of all submissions; no concessions will be made for "lost" materials.
4. Recording of lectures is not permitted, except with special permission.
5. In order to encourage and facilitate class discussion, students should study the relevant sections in the textbook prior to each class.
6. Students are encouraged to speak with the instructor during office hours if they have any questions.  Phone conversations and e-mails are a less direct and effective means of communication.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

Dates	Subjects	Readings	Assignments
Jan. 14, 16, 18	Introduction to class, China: Geographical survey	"China: A Geographic Preface" by Toops
21, 23, 25	Chinese History	"The Historical Context" by Murphey
28, 30, Feb. 1	Chinese Religion	"Traditional Religions of China" by McCreery
4, 6, 8	Chinese Economy	"The Chinese Economy" by Palmer
11, 13, 15	Chinese Society	"Chinese Family: Continuity and Change" by Stockman
18, 20, 22	No Class (Reading Week)
25, 27, 29	Japan: Geographical Survey (Fri. 29)	"The Land" and "Agricultural and Natural Resources" by Reischauer	Mon. 25, Exam 1
Mar. 3, 5, 7	Japanese History	"The Setting" by Cortazzi	Mar 3, Paper Outline Due
10, 12, 14	Japanese Religions	"Japanese Religions" by C. Littleton
17, 19 (21 No Class-Good F.)	Japanese Economy	"Japan's Economy" by Ellington
24, 26, 28	Japanese Society	"Socialization and Classification" by Hendry
31, Apr. 2, 4	Japanese Society	"Signs of a New Individualism" by Yamazaki	Fri. 4, Exam 2
7, 9, 11	Women in East Asia	"Marriage, Family, Sexuality and Gender Difference" by Hershatter	Fri. 11, Paper Due
14, 16, 18	Women in East Asia	"Marriage, Motherhood, and Career Management in a Japanese ‘Counter Culture'" by Creighton	Fri. 18, Exam 3