Asian Studies
Director: Kabir Mansingh Heimsath
Administrative Assistant: Alison Walcott
Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that brings together the historical and contemporary study of Asia and its peoples. Students examine political, economic, and cultural questions related to Asia from a variety of scholarly perspectives. Our faculty teach in a range of departments including the performing arts, humanities, and social sciences. We offer a wide variety of courses from ancient history to current media, intensive reading seminars to instrumental practicums; and our regional focus includes East, Southeast, and South Asia as well as the Asian diaspora. The program gives attention to the dynamic, interrelated, and sometimes contentious nature of the area’s cultures, politics, and economies in hopes to unsettle more established Euro-American narratives. The Asian studies minor provides students with a range of diverse and critical perspectives to understand the role of Asia in a globalized world.
Minor Requirements
A minimum of 20 semester credits, in addition to a language/overseas requirement.
-
One historical foundation course, chosen from the following:
Early East Asian History India in the Age of Empire Music of Asia Religions and Cultures of East Asia -
12 credits chosen from the Asian studies curriculum. A maximum of 4 credits may be applied from AS 156, AS 244, AS 444. AS 299, AS 499, and music performance courses.
- AS 301 Seminar in Contemporary Asian Studies
- At least one semester overseas on an approved L&C program in Asia (China, India, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Southeast Asia, or Taiwan); or proficiency in an Asian language through the 101 level.* See the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs for specific program and application information.
Twelve credits must be exclusive to the minor. Up to 12 credits of Asia-related coursework taken on an L&C overseas program may be applied to the minor (8 credits from a non-L&C program).
Asian Studies Curriculum
Art
| Chinese Art | ||
| Arts of Korea and Japan: The Politics of Collection and Display | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Art After 1945 (when Asia-focused) | ||
| Theory in Practice (when Asia-focused) |
Asian Studies
| The Art of Tea in Japanese Culture I | ||
| Experiencing Heritage in Korea and Japan | ||
| Practicum | ||
| Contemporary Korean Culture | ||
| Special Topics in Asian Studies | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Asian Studies | ||
| Advanced Topics in Asian Studies |
Chinese
| Intermediate Chinese II | ||
| Introduction to Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Chinese Conversation | ||
| Chinese Conversation | ||
| Topics in Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Readings and Composition in Chinese | ||
| Advanced Readings in Chinese | ||
| Advanced Readings in Chinese: Society and Culture |
History
| Early East Asian History | ||
| Making Modern China | ||
| Making Modern Japan | ||
| Introduction to Korea: Origins to the 21st Century | ||
| Japan at War | ||
| Personal Narratives in Chinese History | ||
| The Emergence of Modern South Asia | ||
| India in the Age of Empire | ||
| China in the News: Socio-Anthropological and Historical Perspective on Modern China | ||
| China in the World | ||
| History of Family, Gender, and Sexuality in China | ||
| Religion, Society, and the State in Japanese History | ||
| Popular Culture and Everyday Life in Japanese History | ||
| Reading Colloquium (when Asia-focused) |
International Affairs
| Resistance and Resilience in Civil Conflict |
Japanese
| Intermediate Japanese II | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Japanese Conversation | ||
| Japanese Conversation | ||
| Topics in Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Topics in Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Readings and Composition in Japanese | ||
| Readings and Composition in Japanese II | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese: Society and Culture | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese: Fiction and Nonfiction |
Music
| Workshops in World Music | ||
| Music of Asia | ||
| Topics in Music (when Asia-focused) |
Music Performance
| Javanese Gamelan Ensemble | ||
| Indian Music Ensemble | ||
| Hindustani Voice Private Lessons | ||
| Sitar Private Lessons | ||
| Tabla Private Lessons | ||
| Shamisen Private Lessons |
Overseas
| Japan Past and Present |
Philosophy
| Indian Philosophy |
Religious Studies
| Religion and Culture of Hindu India | ||
| Religions and Cultures of East Asia | ||
| Buddhism: Theory, Culture, and Practice | ||
| Religious Traditions of Korea and Japan | ||
| Family, Gender, and Religion: Ethnographic Approaches | ||
| Zen Buddhism | ||
| Seminar in Asian Religions | ||
| Zen Buddhism |
Russian
| Environmental Topics in Russian and Soviet Cultures in Translation (when Asia-focused) |
Sociology/Anthropology
| Southeast Asia: Development, Resistance, and Social Change | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in South Asia | ||
| Critical Perspectives on Development | ||
| China On-Screen | ||
| South Asian Cultures | ||
| Pacific Rim Cities | ||
| Borderlands: Tibet and the Himalaya |
Theatre
| Playing at the Border: Migration and Art |
*Students may satisfy the language proficiency for the Asian studies minor by successfully completing the 101 level of an Asian language offered at Lewis & Clark College; using approved transfer credit from an Asian language course at the 101 level (note that two quarter system courses may be required); or completing an Asian language placement examination from a regionally accredited institution, which places a student into the 102 level.
Faculty
Sepideh Azarshahri Bajracharya. Assistant professor with term of anthropology. Political culture of violence, communal politics, memory, narrative, urban ethnography, anthropology of space, South Asia. PhD 2008 Harvard University. BA 1999 Wesleyan University.
Andrew Bernstein. Professor of history. Japanese History. PhD 1999, MPhil 1996, MA 1994 Columbia University. BA 1990 Amherst College.
David A. Campion. Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. associate professor of history. British and South Asian History. PhD 2002, MA 1997 University of Virginia. BA 1991 Georgetown University.
Keith Dede. Professor of Chinese. Chinese Language and Linguistics. PhD 1999, MA 1993, BA 1988 University of Washington.
Maria Hristova. Assistant professor of Russian. 20th- and 21st-Century Russian and Balkan Literatures; 19th-Century Russian Intellectual History; Central Asian Cultures. PhD 2015, MPhil 2012 Yale University. BA Vassar College.
Jennifer Hubbert. Professor of anthropology. Chinese public culture, anthropology of the state, politics of popular culture and public protest, anthropology of policy, paradiplomacy. PhD 1999, MA 1994 Cornell University. MA 1987, BA 1986 Stanford University.
Mindy Johnston. Instructor in music. Gamelan.
Nisha Joshi. Instructor in music. Sitar.
Sidra Kamran. Assistant professor of sociology. Gender and Sexuality, Digital Culture, Social Inequality, Qualitative Methods, Sociology of Work, Global Social Theory. PhD 2022, MA 2015 The New School. BS 2011 University of Lahore.
Meiru Liu. Instructor in Chinese. Chinese language. PhD 1996, MA 1991 Portland State University. MA 1987 Beijing Foreign Studies University. BA 1980 Tianjin Normal University.
Kabir Mansingh Heimsath. Assistant professor with term of anthropology, director of the Asian studies program. Visual anthropology, space/place theory, borderlands, tourism, cities and bodies. PhD 2011, MSc 2005 University of Oxford. MA 1996 University of Washington. BA 1992 University of California at Berkeley.
Kaley Mason. Associate professor of music. Music of South Asia, Francophone Popular Music, Creative Economies, Social Movements. PhD 2006 University of Alberta. BMus 1999 Queen's University at Kingston.
Suhaila Meera. Assistant professor of theatre. Global-Majority Theatre History and Theory, Dramaturgy, Performance Studies, Critical Refugee Studies, Childhood, Affect, Representation. 2023 Stanford University. 2013 BA Cornell University.
Satomi Newsom. Instructor in Japanese. MA 2012 Portland State University. BA 2007 Kansai Gaidai University.
Dawn Odell. Professor of art history. Early Modern East Asian and European Art History. PhD 2003 University of Chicago. MA 1992 Harvard University. BA 1986 Carleton College.
Jessica D. Starling. Associate professor of religious studies and department chair. East Asian Religions, Buddhism. PhD 2012, MA 2006 University of Virginia. BA 2000 Guilford College.
Michael Stirling. Instructor in music. Indian Music Ensemble. Hindustani voice.
Bruce Suttmeier. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, associate professor of Japanese. Japanese Language, Contemporary Japanese Literature. PhD 2002, AM 1994 Stanford University. BS 1991 University of Rochester.
Yumi Torimaru. Instructor in Music. Shamisen, shinobue.
Courses
AS 100 Introduction to Contemporary Asian Studies
Content: Interdisciplinary introduction to the region of Asia, including East, Southeast, and South Asia, emphasizing current events and contemporary social concerns through film, literature, art, journalism, and academic texts. Diversity and interrelatedness of Asia through themes of globalization and urbanization, gender, environmental activism, ethnicity and nationalism, development, religion, and social movements.
Prerequisites: None.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 156 The Art of Tea in Japanese Culture I
Content: The traditional art of tea, practiced in Japan for more than 400 years, and its interrelationship with Japanese culture. Study of tea masters of the past, famous as performers of the art, arbiters of taste, and confidants of rulers. Aesthetics, philosophy, cultural and political relationships, ceramic arts, architecture, landscape design. Practice of the ritualized forms for making and drinking tea, and forms of social interaction expressed in the practice.
Prerequisites: None.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 2.
AS 210 Experiencing Heritage in Korea and Japan
Content: Over the course of a seven-week summer term in Korea and Japan, students will experience a number of examples of cultural "heritage," whether regional, national, or global. Local experts, artists, and religious professionals will be contracted to lead students in tours and/or hands-on experiences as appropriate. LC faculty will assign background readings, oversee contact hours, and assess student learning through reflection papers and contributions to a class website.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Acceptance to Art, History, and Religion of Northeast Asia overseas program required.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, summer only.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 244 Practicum
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to put academic concepts and techniques to work in the private or public sector, or field-learning experience combining theoretical concepts and skills learned in the classroom with practical applications. Specific activities vary. Written report on the practicum experience. Credit-no credit. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall, spring, and summer.
Semester credits: 1-4.
AS 251 Contemporary Korean Culture
Content: Historical development of contemporary social and cultural life in South Korea. Topics include popular culture, language, material culture, regional relations, religion, and colonialism.
Prerequisites: None.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 297 Special Topics in Asian Studies
Content: Introduction to topics, disciplines, and research methods in Asian studies. Reading and critical analysis of scholarship and/or research materials organized around themes or problems in Asian studies. Focus varies depending on area of the instructor's teaching and/or research. May be taken twice with change of topic.
Prerequisites: None.
Usually offered: Annually.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 299 Independent Study
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to design and pursue a substantive course of independent learning. Details determined by the student and supervising instructor. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall, spring, and summer.
Semester credits: 1-4.
AS 301 Seminar in Contemporary Asian Studies
Content: Reading-intensive engagement with the most current scholarship published in the interdisciplinary field of Asian studies, broadly defined. Readings will vary each semester and be chosen based on methodological and theoretical innovation, as well as substantive content. De-centering of Euro-American perspectives; issues such as guerrilla warfare, environment, media, technology, art, religious practice, queer subjectivities, labor migration. Critical reflections on the interface among specific cultural contexts, methodology, theory, and the production of knowledge.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Junior standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 397 Advanced Topics in Asian Studies
Content: Advanced study in topics, disciplines, and research methods in Asian studies. Reading and critical analysis of scholarship; exposure to major debates and controversies in the field that may include, but are not limited to, comparative study and interdisciplinary methodology. Focus varies depending on areas of the instructor's teaching and/or research. Assignments are organized around a substantial final project and/or several smaller projects. May be taken twice with change of topic.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Junior standing required.
Usually offered: Annually.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 410 Asian Studies Colloquium
Content: Students' immersion in scholarly literature in the humanities and social sciences on a broad topic chosen by the instructor. The objective is to hone Asian studies majors' and minors' ability to analyze the perspectives and methods taken by the many disciplines that contribute to scholarly work on Asia. We anticipate our students will become adept at a truly interdisciplinary approach to Asian studies through this process.
Prerequisites: One upper-level course from the Asian studies curriculum.
Restrictions: Junior or senior standing and declared Asian studies major or minor required.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
AS 444 Asian Studies Practicum
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to put advanced academic concepts and techniques to work in the private or public sector, or field-learning experience combining theoretical concepts and skills learned in the classroom with practical applications. Specific activities vary. Written report on the practicum experience. Credit-no credit. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Junior standing and consent required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 1-4.
AS 499 Independent Study
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to design and pursue an advanced substantive course of independent learning. Details determined by the student and supervising instructor. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Junior standing and consent required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall, spring, and summer.
Semester credits: 1-4.