Peoples and Cultures of Asia

Anthropology 215

Fall 2009

TTH 11-12:20 Room W2-42

Dr. Diane Freedman E-mail: dfreedman@ccp.edu

Office: CCP W2‑40, phone 215 751 8547; leave message on tape

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/DFreedman/

Office Hours: TTH 10:00-11, 12:30-1; by appointment

Course Description and Goals

Peoples and Cultures of Asia is the Asian Anthropology offering in the International Studies Program within Liberal Studies. The course begins with a consideration of archaeological data and early writings addressing India's and China's historical and philosophical influence over the region. The remainder of the course is dedicated to analysis of the areas of family, work, and ideology in Asia. Our sources will be ethnographies, writings based on original long term research in specific societies. Our data this semester will come from India, China, and Japan, but we may read a few articles from other Asian regions. An underlying theme will be the drive to understand our personal experiences as men and women in the western world and how those are both similar to and different than those of people in Asia. Topics to be covered include: early religion and philosophy in Asia, archaeological evidence for Asian societies, family life, people and work experiences, and globalization and popular culture. We will take a comparative approach, examining these issues in all 3 societies and also draw some comparisons to our own.

Required Texts:

Asian Cultural Traditions, Carolyn Brown Heinz

Crested Kimono: Power and Love in the Japanese Business Family, Hamabata

Readings: In addition to the texts, a list of readings will be assigned on a weekly basis. They will be available as handouts or online at MY CCP. Some Internet sites will also be assigned. These are also required reading. Be prepared to discuss the reading in class on the day assigned. Occasional quizzes will check on your reading and prepare you for the major exams.

Short Assignments:

Map

Translation

I Ching interpretation

Globalization debate

Written Assignments

1. Response Essay: A short essay of 500-700 words is required. It will be based on questions that I will hand out on the readings, films, class discussions and computer programs. You can demonstrate your understanding of the course material by synthesizing what you have learned in this essay. This paper is a requirement. You cannot pass the class if you do not hand it in. Due OCT 23.

2. Research Paper: Ethnographic Approaches to change in Asia

In addition to the assigned readings, you are required to write a research paper on the theme of cultural change. You can start by reading one Asian ethnography of your choice. A list of easily available books is included and a signup sheet will be provided in class. Choose early, since each student must read a different book.[ due Oct. 2] Ethnographies are books written by anthropologists who have spent an extended time studying one society and then written about their experiences. After you read the ethnography you should look for some other information about that group or topic. Then write a short paper based on your research focusing on change in that society. Citations are needed for all direct quotations and paraphrases. Plagiarism will lead to an "F" grade for the course. This paper is a requirement. You cannot pass the class if you do not hand it in. Outline Due Nov 11; Paper due Nov 25.

Options: You have other options to demonstrate your interest in the material covered in this course. All projects must be at least 2 pages, typed, double-spaced, and printed clearly. Include your name, class and section and date on each paper.

MUSEUM VISITS: You can choose to visit the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, in West Phila. at 33rd & Spruce. Go with friends or family and survey the exhibits. Examine closely the Asian rooms, especially the Rotunda. Write a description of your experience, focusing on one or two items. A visit to the museum and a typed, one-two page reaction paper will be worth up to 10 points. The paper is due on Oct 16.

You can also go to the Phila Art Museum and study the Japanese Tea House. Report due Nov. 18.

No papers will be accepted late.

Exams. Three exams will be given during the semester:

Exam 1 Thursday, Sept 25

Exam 2 Thursday, Oct 30

Final FINALS WEEK

Exams will cover material from lectures, readings, films, web sites, and class discussions. The films are critical to the course and you will need to take notes. If you are seriously ill on an exam day, call to leave a message. Do not expect a call back. You will be expected to take the exam on the following class day. If you are still sick, call again. You must take all three exams to pass the class.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. A student who misses more than 2 weeks of class through either absence or lateness may be administratively withdrawn or receive an "F" for class participation. Late arrivals get 1/2 cut. Proper classroom demeanor is expected. Turn off all phones and beepers. Please let me know if you have medical issues that might impact on your class performance.

Computer Use: You all have an account at MY CCP. There you will find course info including the syllabus, web links, and some readings. You can have that email forwarded to your own personal account, so do that if you don’t check MY CCP often. I will use it for class messages.

Grades The following numeric breakdown will be followed:

Exams 50%

Papers 30%

Quizzes, Extra Credit, assignments and in class activities--20%

November 17, Monday, is the final day to drop course(s) for Fall 2008 (15-week) term without penalty of 'F' grades.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Readings are to be completed by the day assigned. Chapter numbers refer to the Heinz text. Read the corresponding web pages and handouts with each unit. Check myccp under my courses for web assignments.

1. Roots of Asian Culture

This section will serve to introduce students to concepts important to the study of Asia. It will include material from archaeology, geography, history, and philosophy, and survey such topics as the rise of civilization, the Indian origins of Buddhism, the influence of trade and the Silk Road. We will spend some time examining the different worldviews of east and west, and some ways that Asia has been depicted for the western gaze. Ch. numbers refer to Heinz.

SEPT. 8 Introduction

10 Ancient Chinese Tools, Orientalism; Harper---Chinese Religion [in syllabus]

15 Ch. 1 & 2-- Myth of continents

17 Ch. 3; Silk Road

22 India Ch. 5:117-145-- map due

24 Ch. 5--145-167/ Du Fu poem due

29 Ch. 5—167-176

OCT 1 Exam1

2. China: Family, Work, Ideology

6 Pan Chao--A Language by Women

8 Ch. 7. 222-264; pick ethnography

13 Analects; I Ching - Blofield; write question

15 Toss coins, draw your hexagram &

write short essay interpreting hexagram from I Ching

20 Ch. 7. 264-279

22 Ch. 9, 345-354

27 Personal Voices, One Child Policy, Cultural Revolution

29 Globalization: Olympics & tourism; response essay due

NOV 3 Globalization debate; research paper topic

5 Exam 2

3. Japan: Family, Work, Popular Culture

Nov. 10 Ch. 8, 283-306; Genji

12 Ch. 8 306-327; Ch 9, 362-364;

17 Kimono Ch 1-3; research paper outline

19 Kimono Ch 4-5

24 Kimono Ch 6-7

26 Thanksgiving—no class

DEC 1 Japanese Hip Hop

3 McDonalds in East Asia; research paper due

8 Manga-- Barefoot Gen on Hiroshima

10 Pickup Basketball Meets Janken; Anime

15 Study Day—no class

17/22 FINAL EXAM Week

Paper deadlines:

Oct.2-- choose your ethnography and research theme--hand in on 3x5 card

Oct. 23 - Response Essay

Oct 28 –Paper topic

Nov 11 – Paper outline

Nov 25 – Research paper-- final draft due: typed in 12 point font, paginated and

stapled. APA citation style. Do not use plastic binders.

HOLD ON TO THIS SYLLABUS. READ IT CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW IT.

IT IS YOUR TICKET TO SUCCESS IN THIS CLASS!