EastAsianStudies

EAST ASIAN STUDIES
at Eckerd College

Requirements for the Major Language Study Study Abroad Opportunities Participating Faculty

Introduction

It has become a commonplace to talk about globalization, cultural diversity, and the “shrinking” of the globe. At a personal level, what these ideas really come down to is that we cannot remain bound by the traditions, assumptions, culture and language we are brought up with; we must experience and learn about the rest of the world to become truly global citizens. Fortunately, this process is also one of tremendous self-discovery, excitement, and pleasure. East Asia is one of the most fascinating and rewarding regions of the world to learn about and to experience first-hand. Not only do the nations of China, Taiwan, the two Koreas, and Japan share a heritage in one of the world’s oldest and most intriguing cultural traditions, they are also some of the most important players on the international stage. The field of East Asian Studies offers an integrated program of language study, interdisciplinary coursework, and study abroad opportunities to guide students in discovering this important part of the world and developing the skills to approach it intelligently and confidently.
Eckerd has one of the strongest programs in East Asian Studies of any small college in the southeastern United States. As a small liberal arts college, Eckerd is able to offer instruction in East Asian Studies in a specialized, personal way unavailable at larger institutions, including tutorials, independent study options, and faculty-student collaborative research opportunities. Eckerd has strong international focus, especially through our programs in International Relations & Global Affairs and International Business. We have a large number of international students (13% of the student body), many from Asian countries, and house a separate English Language School with many Asian students who are available for socializing and for language exchange. Situated in the large and dynamic urban center of Tampa Bay, Eckerd also offers ready access to Asian art collections, Asian immigrant communities, international businesses, and ready transportation connections to the wider world.

Requirements for the Major

The major in East Asian Studies requires the following:
    --two years of Chinese or Japanese language, or equivalent proficiency;
    --the core course, EAL 201G: East Asian Traditions;
    --six other courses, at least two each from group A and group B below, and at least two at the 300-level or above;
    --study abroad in East Asia;
    --a senior seminar, EAL 410, taken in the fall of the senior year;
    --senior comprehensive examinations, taken in the Winter Term of the senior year.

Group A: East Asian Heritage
    AHL 203 Arts of the Silk Road
    CNC 301 Heroes and Anti-Heroes in Chinese Literature
    CNC 331 East Meets West: Chinese Cinema
    CRA 203A Aesthetics East & West
    EAL 202E East Asian Constructions of Nature
    PLL 103G Introduction to Eastern Philosophy
    PLL/EAL 304 Seminar in Chinese Thought: Taoism
    REL 234 The Goddess in Eastern Traditions
    REL 320 The Buddhist Tradition

Group B: Contemporary East Asian Societies
    AnC 207G Chinese Communist Society
    ANC 262E Environment, Population, and Culture (China focus)
    ANC 282G East Asian Area Studies
    HDA 350G Contemporary Japanese Families
    HIL/EAL 310G Modern China
    HIL/EAL 311G Modern Japan
    MNB 230G Asian Managerial Practices
    POB 231G Politics: East Asian Nations
    POB 232G The Pacific Century
    POB 333 Government and Politics of Japan
    POB 335 Government and Politics of China
    POB 336 China, Japan, and the United States

Other courses which fulfill these requirements may become available. In addition, some winter term courses and overseas travel to East Asia may also qualify.
A minor in East Asian Studies is also available. It requires one year of Chinese or Japanese language study; EAL 201: East Asian Traditions; and three other courses in East Asian Studies, at least one each from group A and group B. The minor can be completed in conjunction with a major in International Relations & Global Affairs or International Business with as few as two additional courses.

Language Study

Eckerd College offers both Chinese and Japanese language at the Beginning and Intermediate level. Advanced study in both languages is also available on an independent study basis, or through study abroad programs.

Study Abroad Opportunities

    An abroad experience in East Asia is required for the major and strongly encouraged for the minor. Eckerd offers a wide range of opportunities:
     -A semester abroad is the best way to gain advanced language experience, and the coursework taken abroad will apply to the requirements for a major or minor. Eckerd has direct exchange programs with Kansai Gaidai and Nanzan University in Japan, Ehwa Woman's University in Korea, and Hong Kong Baptist University, and anticipates having one in place soon in the People's Republic of China. There are also exchange opportunities in East Asia available through ISEP and CIEE.
    -the Spring Semester-in-Asia program combines preparatory coursework at Eckerd with seven weeks of classes on-site in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. It is led by Eckerd College faculty, and is available every other year; the most recent offering is Spring 2002. Go check out the website!
    -Winter terms in East Asia are regularly available, offering a 3-4 week introductory travel and learning experience. Students majoring in East Asian Studies are encouraged to use them as a supplement to a longer experience abroad, rather than an alternative.
    For more information on these and other programs, please visit the webpage for our Office of International Education.

Participating Faculty

Constantina Bailly, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies (Ph.D., Columbia University), teaches courses on Hinduism, Buddhism, shamanism, mystical poetry, and women’s religious traditions.

Victoria Baker, Associate Professor of Anthropology (Ph.D., University of Leiden), researches schooling in remote rural areas, and has done comparative case studies on schooling in some 16 countries, including China, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

Andrew Chittick, E. Leslie Peter Assistant Professor of East Asian Humanities (Ph.D., University of Michigan) is the discipline coordinator for East Asian Studies. He teaches and researches on a wide variety of topics in East Asian history and culture, with particular interest in early Chinese history and local culture, Taoism, and conceptions of nature. For more information about the East Asian Studies program, e-mail me at chittiab@eckerd.edu.

Ed Grasso, Associate Professor of Decision Sciences (Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), teaches and researches Operations Management and has been active in taking students to East and Southeast Asia to study business practices in Asian societies.

Sandra Harris, Associate Professor of Human Development (Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University), teaches and researches on the sociology of the family, and has spent time in Japan researching the Japanese family system.

Shiping Hua, Associate Professor of Political Science (Ph.D., University of Hawaii), teaches a variety of courses on East Asian politics and on Chinese society through fiction and film.

Linda Carroll, Adjunct in Japanese, teaches Japanese language and character writing.

Brian Ransom, Associate Professor of Visual Arts (M.F.A., Claremont Graduate School) teaches, researches, and creates ceramics, and has long had an interest in the history and techniques of Asian ceramics.

Hendrick Serrie, Professor of Anthropology and International Business (Ph.D., Northwestern University), teaches management, organizational behavior, and the culture of international business, and has published widely on these issues, especially concerning the overseas Chinese.

Jing Shen, Assistant Professor of Chinese Language and Literature (Ph.D., Washington University of St. Louis) teaches Chinese language and a variety of topics in traditional Chinese fiction, women’s studies, and film.

Claire Stiles, Associate Professor of Human Development (Ph.D., University of Florida), teaches and researches traditional Chinese medicine, health, and healing practices, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kirk Ke Wang, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts (M.F.A., University of South Florida), teaches Oriental Art and techniques as well as computer graphics and web page design.