Subject: ASIA

Term: Fall 2026

ASIA 207: Doing Buddhism: Texts, Images, and Objects (100/13992)

TR 02:45-04:00 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Liang, J; Quist, R

Contrary to the popular belief that Buddhists eschew worldly possessions, the rich practical tradition in Buddhism reveals a world of textual and visual materials. By embracing the roles these objects play in various Buddhist contexts, this course explores the reciprocal relationship between things and actions. How do practitioners interact with material cultures, such as scriptures, icons, and architecture? And what modes of practice do these objects inspire in turn? With a chronologically grounded structure that traces how Buddhism developed across Asia, the course takes a thematic approach to these questions. We begin by introducing the earliest examples of textual and visual practices before expanding into units that explore how Buddhism changed across time and space. In this course, students will engage with many modes of experiential learning within the classroom and beyond. In addition to attending in-class lectures and discussions, students will analyze the Cleveland Museum of Art's expansive collection of Buddhist texts and images through visits to the galleries, Art Study Room, and Educational Art Collection. In this Communication Intensive course, students will hone their critical and creative analytic skills by developing an original research project in consultation with their professors. Offered as ARTH 207, ASIA 207, and RLGN 207.

ASIA 226: Southeast Asia And The World: History, Politics, Religions (100/6627)

T 06:00-08:30 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Tan, J

This course explores the background and factors contributing to the development and shaping of contemporary Southeast Asia, as well as the intersection and synthesis of the social, cultural, geographical, religious, and political dimensions by placing ordinary lives within the context of emerging postcolonial nation states in Southeast Asia. It analyzes major trends and transformations across the whole Southeast Asia region during different historical periods -- the conquest of traditional kingdoms, colonial rule, the impact of World War II, nationalist revolutions, and the emergence of new postcolonial nations. More broadly, it also examines the intersection and synthesis of the social, cultural, geographical, religious, and political dimensions by placing the ordinary lives of Southeast Asian peoples within the context of emerging postcolonial nation states. At the end of the course, students will gain a firm foundation in acquiring a foundational knowledge in the history, religion, culture, geography, and society of Southeast Asia, as well as understanding the implications of the continuing socio-cultural, economic, and political transformation of contemporary Southeast Asia and the significance that this region has for the rest of the world. Offered as ASIA 226, ETHS 226, HSTY 226, and RLGN 226.

ASIA 244: Ghosts, Zombies, and Monsters: What We Fear and Loathe in Religions (100/13838)

TR 11:30-12:45 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Liang, J

Our religious imaginations are constantly haunted by myriad frightening and loathsome beings. In this class, we will explore the many ways in which ghosts, zombies, and monsters have symbolized and personified the issues, concerns, hopes, and fears that have shaped our lives. Combining the two threads of eschatology (theological considerations about death and "the end") and monster theory, it brings to the fore what is commonly demonized, marginalized, or unseen in religious traditions across the globe and asks what it is about the ghosts, zombies, and monsters that appalls and arrests us. To understand the diverse cultural traditions and their imagination of ghosts, zombies, and monsters, the majority of the course content is dedicated to these fearsome beings in Asian contexts -- China, Japan, Tibet, Thailand, to name a few. Offered as ASIA 244 and RLGN 244.

ASIA 289: Reform, Revolution, Republics: China 1895 to Present (100/6562)

MWF 11:30-12:20 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Gao, Y

Beginning with the First Sino-Japanese War (1895), this course reviews the historical development of intellectual discourse, public reaction, and political protest in later Imperial China through the creation of the People's Republic in 1949 forward to contemporary times. In contrast to the conventional description of China from a Western point of view, this course tries to explain the emergence of modern China in the context of its intellectual, political, and socio-economic transformation as experienced by Chinese in the late 19th and into the 20th century. By discussing the influence of the West, domestic rebellions, and political radicalism, we examine how the Chinese state and society interacted in search for modernization and reforms, how these reforms were continued during the Republican period, and to what extent historical patterns can be identified in China's present-day development. Offered as ASIA 289 and HSTY 289.

ASIA 312: Korean Popular Culture (100/6751)

MW 12:35-01:50 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Kim, H

This course examines the development and global circulation of Hallyu (the Korean Wave), highlighting various contemporary Korean popular culture genres including K-pop music, cinema, TV dramas, webtoons and animation, digital games and esports, lifestyle media, fashion, and food. Students will engage with primary sources such as K-pop music videos, films, and excerpts from TV dramas and other media products, alongside academic secondary readings that provide theoretical, methodological, and contextual perspectives. By exploring diverse K-media products and engaging in academic readings, multidisciplinary discussions, presentations, and a research project, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Korean pop culture and social phenomena while developing analytical tools to critically approach cultural objects and texts. The primary language of instruction, including lectures and discussions, is English, and no prior knowledge of Korean is required. Offered as ASIA 312, KORE 312, and WLIT 312.

ASIA 320: Chinese Popular Culture (100/6065)

TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 24-Dec 04

Wu, C

In this course we are going to study Chinese (including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Chinese Diaspora) popular culture since the 1980s. By examining different forms of popular culture, including popular literature, film, music, TV programs, posters, the Internet, etc., we will be looking into their political, ideological, sociological, cultural, and psychological mechanisms. The film viewing will take place outside the class. Offered as CHIN 320, ASIA 320 and WLIT 320.