East Asia (ETAS) 300 - Lecture 01
Introduction to East Asia
Fall 2007/Winter 2008
Monday & Wednesday, 14:00-15:15

Instructor:	Dr. Claire Huot Fall 2007
Office Location:	TBA
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	clairehuot@shaw.ca
Office Hours:	After Monday class, with appointment

 

Instructor:	Yoko Riley  Winter 2008
Office Location:	CH C210
Office Phone:	220-3993
E-Mail:	rileyy@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://www.ucalgary.ca/~rileyy
Office Hours:	TBA

Course Description

This course, a full-year course, is an examination of East Asian civilizations from ancient times to the modern period, including the socio-cultural forces that were shaped by and that contributed to the religious, historical, economic, literary, artistic, and political developments of this region. Attention will be given to such topics as how the East Asian civilizations came into being and the rise and development of various institutions that contributed to East Asia's distinctive cultural identities.

FIRST TERM: The first term will focus on Chinese civilization, from its neolithic cultures to the modern times. The course will follow China's historical periods chronologically. An emphasis will be put on China's traditional arts and aesthetics.

Objectives of the Course

Upon completion of this course the student will have a basic understanding of East Asia that, among other things, will allow pursuit of more advanced learning related to East Asia.

Textbooks and Readings

First Term: The following book is required reading. It's available at the University Bookstore:

Jacques Gernet, A History of Chinese Civilization, Cambridge University Press, 1999, 772 pages, ISBN:  0-521-49781-7

Assignments and Evaluation - First Term

5 quizzes: 5% each for a total of 25%

(Sept., 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Dec. 3)

Quizzes are based on readings and material discussed in class)

1 mid-term exam: 12.5%

(Nov. 14)

The mid-term exam covers all the material studied from the beginning of the course to Nov. 7, inclusively.

1 term paper: 12.5% (10% +2.5% for outline)

(Dec. 5; with outline due Nov.14)

The topic of the term paper is at the student's discretion, as long as it deals with an aspect of Chinese civilization. Length: approx. 1500 words.

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.

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

Week 1 (Sept. 10 & Sept. 12)

Sept. 10: Course presentation; basic terms for the study of China

Sept. 12: Introduction to Chinese civilization

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Introduction, pp. 1-26.

Week 2 (Sept. 17 & Sept. 19)

Sept. 17: from the neolithic to the Zhou

Sept. 19: the great philosophers

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 1, pp. 35-100.

Week 3 (Sept. 24 & Sept. 26)

Sept. 24: the first unification

Sept. 26: the Han dynasty

            QUIZ on Introduction & Part 1

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 2, pp. 101-169.

Week 4 (Oct. 1 & Oct. 3)

Oct. 1 & Oct. 3: between the Han and the Tang

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 3, pp. 171-232.

Week 5 (Oct. 8  & Oct. 10)

Oct. 8: No class (Thanksgiving holiday)

Oct. 10: the Tang dynasty

            QUIZ on Parts 2 & 3

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 4, pp. 233-296.

Week 6 (Oct. 15 & Oct. 17)

Oct. 15 & Oct. 17: the Song, Northern and Southern

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 5, pp. 297-348.

Week 7 (Oct. 22 & Oct. 24)

Oct. 22 & Oct. 24: a non-Han rule: the Mongolians

Oct. 22:  QUIZ on Parts 4 & 5

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 6, pp. 349-384.

Week 8 (Oct. 29 & Oct. 31)

Oct. 29 & Oct. 31: the Ming

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 7, pp. 385-460.

Week 9 (Nov. 5 & Nov. 7)

Nov. 5: QUIZ on Parts 6 & 7

Nov. 5 & Nov. 7: the Qing

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 8, pp. 461-525.

Week 10 (Nov. 12 & Nov. 14)

Nov. 12: NO CLASS(Reading day)

Nov. 14: MID-TERM EXAM

Nov. 14: SUBMISSION OF TERM PAPER OUTLINE

Week 11 (Nov. 19 & Nov. 21)

Nov. 19 & Nov. 21: turn of the 20^th century

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 9, pp.527-596.

Week 12 (Nov. 26 & Nov. 28)

Nov. 26 & Nov. 28: first half of the 20^th century

READING: A History of Chinese Civilization, Part 10, pp. 599-655.

Week 13 (Dec. 3 & Dec. 5)

Dec. 3: QUIZ ON PARTS 9 & 10

Dec. 3 & 5: the People's Republic of China

Dec. 5: SUBMISSION OF TERM PAPER

Winter 2008
Monday & Wednesday, 14:00-15:15

Course Description

An overview of the three major civilizations of East Asia--China, Japan, and Korea--with the purpose of describing the essence of each of them, as well as outlining their common characteristics. Subjects covered include physical environment, history, philosophy, religion, social and political order, economy, and arts.

Objectives of the Course

Knowledge of the three major civilizations of East Asia will enable the student to see both the uniqueness and the similarities of the civilizations that constitute East Asia.

Textbooks and Readings:

Japan, Its History and Culture, W. Scott Morton, McGraw-Hill, Inc

Readings will be listed on the blackboard following the courses.

Assignments and Evaluation - Second Term

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

• 1. Participation & Presentation:
  
  10%: The course outline designates a final mark component of 10% for presentation.
  
  Individual student presentations will occur during weeks four and twelve. Students will be required to sign up for a date and topic by the beginning of the third lecture. Presentation time should be 20 to 25 minutes. Criteria of evaluation: Content, Structure, Articulation, Creativity, Response to questions (how well you respond to fellow students' comments and questions).
  
  2. Two class exams and no final exam
  
  20%: These exams are based on lectures, presentations and films.

First exam: Feb. 25th (Monday) 10%

Second exam: April 14th  (Monday) 10%

Duration: 50 minutes

3. Essay:

20% (Due date: April 7 Monday, 2008; In class.) Topic: Suggested cultural phenomena in relation to the past civilization

Length: 5 -7 pages typed (Font Arial, Font size 12).

Criteria for evaluation:

A. Depth of research: This involves an accurate general perspective, command of detail on your specific subject, understanding of strong evidence, if any, against your view and suitability and strength of sources.

B. Organization: This includes clarity, logic (there should be a logical connection shown among the points given in your essay), unity (maintenance of same theme throughout the whole, or a large section of the essay), coherence (smooth link between minor sections of the essay), and correctness of form (e.g., having footnotes or endnotes, a bibliography, using proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.) As well, your essay should develop an argument; in other words, it should attempt to prove something, in contrast to being purely descriptive.

C. Original thinking: You are strongly encouraged to put forward and support your own thesis. Original thinking often makes the difference between an outstanding and an average essay.

D. Penalty: A letter grade will be deducted (e.g. B to B-) for each day late. Essays are to be submitted at my office by 4:30 P.M. of the due date. Essays submitted after 4:30 will be considered as having been submitted the following day.

4. There is no component of the course for which a passing grade is necessary.

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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

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. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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痴 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 (SS110) 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/info

"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.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

COURSE CONTENT -- SECOND TERM Subject to Revision
Week Topic (Subject to Revision)

1. Japan and East Asia Course explanation, general characteristics of Japan within the Asian Continent. Western images of Japan/Samuel P. Huntington, The Clash of Civilization: Remaking of World Order. (Handout available on Blackboard to registered students.)
2. Brief history of Japan/Morton, W. Scott, Japan: Its History and Culture
3. Philosophical and Religious Fundamentals/ Shinto & Bushido and their influence/Japanese attitudes toward religion in general/ Winston, Davis, Japanese Religion and Society/Nitobe, Inazo, Bushido: The Soul of Japan
4. Japanese arts and artistic history/Heian elegance,/Fusion of Samurai and aristocratic art culture/Zen influence of serenity, simplicity/Erotic arts by townsmen
5. The Tokugawa Shogunate and Its Impact on Modern Japan Cultural, Political and Economical Impact/Varley, Paul, Japanese Culture: The Flourishing of a Bourgeois Culture. Japanese style of individualism/Japanese way of thinking
6. Relations between Samurai and the militarization of Japan, The Samurai's discipline and legacy to Japanese militarization in later periods/Dower, John W., War without Mercy Paris, Erna, Long Shadows: Truth, Lies and History/ Poetic Manifestation of Japanese Imperialism and the Yasukuni Shrine: The controversy over the Yasukuni Shrine.
7. Development of the Japanese economy/ Video Presentation /Discussion on the Japanese style of business/Kenichi Miyashita & David Russell Keiretsu: Inside the Hidden Japanese Conglomerate Chapter 2/ Where it began: The history of Keiretsu
8. Japanese Feminism: Feminism built upon long-standing Japanese domination by Samurai
9. Young salary men who do not believe in life time employment: Modern movement of young salary men in Japan
10. Pop Culture of Manga and Animation/Osamu Tezuka & Faust/ History of Japanese Cartoon/
11. Japanese interest in Anne of Green Gables (If time permits)

Additional references will be provided in class during lectures.

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