Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies Course Descriptions

APS - 601. Comparative Modernization of East Asia (4)

The historical process of political and social modernization in China, Japan, and Korea. Emphasis is on the evolution of traditional societies in the classical and medieval periods, and their trans-formation in the modern era.

APS - 605. Cultures of East Asia (4)

The religious and philosophical traditions of China, Japan, and Korea, especially as they affect the lives of contemporary East Asians. Emphasis is on the development of Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist and other schools of thought, and the story of how they shaped and were in turn shaped by the cultures of the region.

APS - 610. Core Asian Language I (Japanese) (4)

Intended to lay a firm foundation for further learning in the target language, or to solidify language competency previously acquired. Students who come to the program with some Asian language competence will be accommodated in a class at the appropriate level wherever possible.

APS - 611. Core Asian Language 2 (Japanese) (4)

Intended to build on the language competence developed in the first semester.

APS - 612. Asian Language Intensive Summer Session (Japanese) (4)

Free of the demands of a seminar class, students concentrate on improving basic skills in their target language in two weekly evening session over eight weeks.

APS - 620. International Politics of the Asia Pacific (4)

Comparative analysis of the modern international politics of Japan, Korea, 'Greater' China, Southeast and South Asia. Emphasis is on regional and international political developments, examining national policies and strategies used to compete and cooperate while assuring security.

APS - 621. Core Asian Language I (Mandarin Chinese) (4)

Intended to lay a firm foundation for further learning in the target language, or to solidify language competency previously acquired. Students who come to the program with some language competence will be accommodated in a class at the appropriate level.

APS - 622. Core Asian Language 2 (Mandarin Chinese) (4)

Intended to build on the language competence developed in the first semester.

APS - 623. Asian Language Intensive Summer Session (Mandarin Chinese) (4)

Free of the demands of a seminar class, students concentrate on improving basic skills in their target language in two weekly evening sessions over eight weeks.

APS - 635. Literature of East Asia (4)

Survey of influential traditional and modern literary works from China, Japan and Korea. Emphasis is on utilizing the lens of literature to examine the society it reproduces and on gaining an understanding of the role literary arts play in the cultural life of each country.

APS - 636. Society and Culture in the Contemporary Asia Pacific (4)

Comparative study of the social and cultural aspects of contemporary China, Japan and Korea. Emphasis is on the impact industrialization, modernization and democratization have had on cultural, social, and business practices.

APS - 640. Economies of East Asia (4)

Comparative study of the economic systems of East Asia with a focus on Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Emphasis is on East Asian economic developments in the 20th century.

APS - 651. Pacific Rim Internship (1-4)

Students may elect to undertake an internship in an approved Pacific Rim-related company or nonprofit organization. This practicum will enable participants to gain in-depth experience and expertise in a particular profession through application of their knowledge of the Asia Pacific region and related language and research skills. The internship requires 20-25 hours of internship work for each unit of semester credit granted and the completion of a short paper on the significance and value of the internship in relation to the student's educational goals.