Spring 2023 Course Offerings

ASIAN STUDIES (REQUIRED)
ASIA 399: ASIAN STUDIES CAPSTONE (EL)
Dr. Shannon Smith, MW (flex), 2:10-3:30pm, CSB
In this Asian Studies capstone, students will write a paper that showcases their understanding of the Asian Studies field by focusing in-depth on one topic selected in consultation with the course instructor and others. Senior ASIA majors only. Offered for A-F grading only.

ELECTIVES
ART
ART 200: ENVIRONMENTAL ART & ARCHITECTURE (FA, AE, TE 1/2 Justice)
Steven Lemke, MW, 12:40-1:35, & F, 12:40-3:10, SJU
This course focuses on a range of issues addressing art, architecture and their relationship to a sustainable environment. Through an analysis of critical theory, students will gain an understanding of the language and critical issues of art, architecture and their impact upon the environment. Through a hands-on approach, students will apply these concepts to make ceramic artwork in the SJU Pottery Studio. By using all native materials, designing through a programmatic structure of indigenous systems, in a sustainable framework the student will parallel architectural and design schematics presented in theory and research to an applied reality. Students will critically analyze readings, will discuss examples of art and architecture and will meet with artists in order to expand their understanding of the relationship between art, architecture and the environment. 

CHINESE
CHIN 112: ELEMENTARY CHINESE II
Limei Danzeisen, MWF, 1:50pm-2:45pm, CSB
Introduction to the basic elements of the Chinese language. Practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including work with grammar, pronunciation, and culture.

CHIN 212: INTERMEDIATE CHINESE II (Global Proficiency)
Dr. Sophia Geng, TR, 8:20am-9:40am, CSB
Review and continued study of grammar together with additional training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 211 and 212 emphasize Chinese culture and civilization. Satisfactory completion of CHIN 212 fulfills the global language proficiency requirement.

CHIN 312: CHINESE CONVERSATION & COMPOSITION II
Dr. Sophia Geng, TR, 11:30am-12:50pm, CSB
Designed to help students solidify and further their communicative and writing ability in Chinese through contact with various written styles of modern Chinese. Advanced Chinese also provides a basic introduction to contemporary Chinese literature and culture. 311 and 312 may be taken in either order.

CHIN 321B: CHINESE FOLKLORE/MYTHS/LEGEND(HM, BN)
Dr. Sophia Geng, TR, 9:55-11:15pm, CSB
In this class, we read the English translations of popular Chinese folklore. These include the tale of Mulan, the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Goddess, and the legend of Caiji. We analyze how the stories evolved throughout history and how they were told differently in mainstream and vernacular cultures. We also examine a number of adaptations of these stories in film, storytelling and writings by Chinese American authors, and compare the differences in terms of language, theme and function. Taught in English.

GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 230: WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Luke Feierabend, W, 6:15pm-9:15pm, CSB
A spatial frame of reference for the changing patterns of world events. Study of the relationships between physical and cultural environments and major, global issues such as population, pollution and economic change. Social Science and ELED majors given preference.

GLOBAL BUSINESS
GBUS 300: GLOBAL BUSINESS
Dr. Sanford Moskowitz, M, 6:15pm-9:15pm, SJU
This course covers the fundamental concepts, issues, and structure of 21st century global business. It explores the historical, cultural, economic, and political underpinnings of the basic themes of, and critical actors operating within international business today. The student learns about the nature of and relationships between the major components (or systems) that make up the international business system as a whole. Prerequisite GBUS 210, 220, 230, 240 or GBUS 203 or permission of instructor.

HISTORY
HIST 115: THE TRUTH ABOUT EAST ASIA (HM, HE, TE1/2-Truth)
Dr. Elisheva Perelman, MWF, 10:40am-1:35am, CSB
Why do we presume that East Asia is a monolith when so many of its component parts are at odds? This introductory course looks at the political, cultural, and social history of China, Japan, and the Koreas while analyzing our preconceptions about truth and history. Students will grapple with primary texts, literary works, films, and propaganda to see how narratives can change and shape international relations.

HIST 314/THEO 319J: Missionary Positions: Christianity in East Asia (IC, TU, TI)
Dr. Elisheva Perelman, MWF, 1:00pm-1:55pm, CSB
East Asia’s unique application of Christian belief and ideology to its indigenous cultures and beliefs offer a fascinating complement and contrast to Christianity in other parts of the world and in various doctrine. This course will explore the theological and historical underpinnings of Christian practice and faith in China, Japan and the Korean peninsula in the modern period (1600 to present). This course is suitable for students of any major, including those who have not taken a previous history course.

JAPANESE
JAPN 112: ELEMENTARY JAPANESE II
Dr. Jeff Dubois, MWF, 9:30am-10:25am, CSB
Continued study of the basic structure of the Japanese language. Practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with a focus on an accurate command of grammar and culturally appropriate communication skills.

JAPN 212: INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II
Masami Limpert, MWF, 10:40am-11:35am, CSB
Review and continued study of grammar together with additional training in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

JAPN 312: ADVANCED JAPANESE LANGUAGE II
Masami Limpert, MWF, 10:40am-11:35am, CSB
Review and continued development of grammar together with development of skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Prerequisite: JAPN 311 or 315

JAPN 330A: TRANSNATIONAL JAPAN (HM, HE, TE3-Justice)
Dr. Jeff Dubois, MWF, 11:50am-12:45pm, CSB
This course surveys a broad range of themes related to Japan's cultural history through analysis of literary and visual media from ancient to modern times. However, rather than seeking to discover an essence or key to understanding Japan, this course aims to complicate the picture of a unitary, internally consistent, and monolithic Japan. We take as premise that Japan is and has always been hybrid, fractured, and transnational. Hence, we interrogate how understanding of what is "Japan" often has much to do with transnational exchange, migration, negotiation, and acknowledge that this "Japan" is in constant flux. For example, we explore not only how Japanese thinkers represented Japan to people within Japan, but how thinkers attempted to project a certain image of Japan onto an international stage. We will work with both primary sources in translation and secondary sources, considering perspectives of the people of Japan--including ethnic minorities--and outsiders looking in. Taught in English.

JAPN 330B: JAPANESE FOLKLORE (HM)
Dr. Jeff Dubois, MWF, CSB
This course looks at the development of Japanese folklore, exploring the narrative origins of Japanese folk beliefs and myths as well as their transmission and adaptation to the present. With an introduction to theories of folklore, we delve into supernatural tales involving ghosts and shape-shifting creatures as well as moralistic teachings that inform Japanese religious traditions. Class material ranges from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (10th century) to collections of folklore by 20th century scholar Yanagita Kunio to the contemporary anime of Ghibli Studios. Participants will experience the orality of folktales through in-class narrations. Taught in English.

JAPN 341: BUSINESS/PROF. JAPAN (HM, HE)
Masami Limpert, MWF, 9:30am-10:25am, CSB
Business Japanese reviews polite language (keigo) from the advanced Japanese language classes (311, 312) and expands its application for practical use in business settings. This includes proper workplace interactions, email correspondences, and culturally appropriate gestures and practices (such as the exchange of business cards). This course may be offered as a standalone, or cross listed with other advanced Japanese courses, in which case learning material beyond the regular course textbooks will serve as supplement.

PEACE STUDIES
PCST 368C/THEO 369C: ISLAM & GENDER (TU, TI)
Dr. Jon Armajani, TR, 1:05pm-2:25pm, CSB
This course will focus on the various ways in which relations between Muslim women and men have been appropriated, interpreted, and concretized in a variety of real-life situations throughout the early, medieval, and modern periods in Islam with a regional focus on Islam and gender in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Europe, and/or North America. This course will use gender as a primary lens of analysis for examining course content by examining the, at times static and at other times dynamic, roles of women and men in societies where Muslims are in the majority and others where they are the minority in order to gain an understanding of the relationship between appropriations of gender with respect to Islam and its corresponding cultural contexts. Prerequisite THEO 100 or 111

PHILOSOPHY
PHIL 156: BUDDHA & BENEDICT (HM, HE, TE 1/2-Truth)
Dr. Charles Wright, TR, 9:35am-10:55am, SJU
How does one gain authentic insight into one's own true nature, into the true nature of the world we inhabit, and the relation between the two? This course will explore these questions by studying early sutras from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the Taoist classic known as the Tao Te Ching, Mahayana Buddhist teachings, Zen Buddhism, the Rule of Benedict and, finally, a wonderful book conceived, written and on the campus of St. John’s University – Benedict’s Dharma, which explores the wisdom and practical insights shared by the Buddhist and Benedictine traditions. Class participants will learn that there are striking affinities in the contemplative goals and practices endorsed by Benedictines and Buddhists. Students will also discover remarkable similarities in the Buddhist and Benedictine diagnoses of the challenges and difficulties faced by practitioners of a contemplative Way. Course requirements will include regular journaling, contemplative practice (meditation, Qigong, and prayer), and reflective essays.

POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLS 223: COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Dr. Christi Siver, MWF, 10:20am-11:15am, SJU
In this course students learn about different political and economic systems throughout the world. They also learn about the field of Comparative Politics, which examines the institutional structures and cultural influences that lead to different approaches to similar problems. Finally, students are also introduced to advanced research skills and produce a research design which presents a plan for conducting original data collection. Spring semester.

POLS 355: GLOBALIZATION (ES, CS)
Dr. Christi Siver, TR, 11:10am-12:30pm, SJU
In this course, students learn about the different institutions, actors, and ideational forces that shape the global economy. First, students are exposed to different theoretical explanations of the global economy, including free market liberalism, organizational models, and Marxism. Students these apply these theories to numerous case studies, including global financial patterns, international trade, regulation of multinational corporations, globalization and consumer patterns, and the relationship between the economy and the environment.