Connecting Asia: Pasts, Presents, Futures

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Many people predict that the 21st century will be the "Asian Century," dominated by China, India, and other nation-states on the continent. What does it mean to imagine an Asian future? In this class, we answer this question by rethinking connections between past, present, and future, both within and between different nations in Asia. How can we better understand the global connections between past and present if we take Asia, rather than Europe and North America, as our starting point? By contextualizing contemporary issues in Asia within global social and historical context, students will learn to move beyond common stereotypes about the region. We will use materials from history, anthropology, religion, and literature to explore the impacts of colonialism, nationalism, and globalization on everyday life across the continent. Through this course, students will learn how to analyze the intersections of personal, local, regional, and global contexts in order to better explain how Asia shapes our world. All majors and backgrounds are welcome. No prior knowledge about Asian languages or topics is required.