The China concentration of the Asian Studies degree program provides a broad understanding of the Chinese people and their culture, historical development, and contemporary problems. The curriculum emphasizes the attainment of facility in Chinese language, a grounding in history, and a familiarity with the approaches of the social sciences to Chinese studies. The breadth of offerings allows students to select courses to meet career goals in business, government, teaching, or other professions.
Three historians focus on the pre-modern, late imperial, and modern eras of Chinese history, providing background and perspective for all students of China. Political Science courses are provided by two specialists examining contemporary Chinese domestic and foreign policy, and U.S. China relations. Two sociologists provide courses on China's population and social organization. The University of Washington is the leading center for the study of China's minority peoples, with two anthropologists providing a wide range of course work on contemporary Chinese society. Two geographers examine allocational, migration, and environmental issues. A wide range of courses on Chinese literature, poetry, and language are offered by leading specialists in the departments of Asian Languages and Literature and Comparative Literature. An economist with extensive experience working in China explains the strengths and weaknesses of China's economic reforms. It is also possible for advanced undergraduates to take courses on Chinese law in the law school, or graduate seminars in other fields (depending on the permission of the instructor).
Students move through carefully structured programs which provide essential Chinese language training. The first two years stress the aural/oral approach (in conjunction with work in the language laboratory). Third- and fourth year students devote more attention to reading Chinese language materials. Native speakers of the language conduct drill sessions.
Kent Guy
Chair, China Studies
Any undergraduate in good standing may declare Asian Studies (China concentration) as a major.
30 credits or equivalent Chinese language training is a minimum requirement; additional Chinese language instruction is encouraged.
Introductory courses: SISA 210, The Rise of Asia (5) or SISA
209, Asian Civilizations: Traditions (5); SIS 201, The Making of the 21st
Century (5;
HSTAS 211, History of Chinese
Civilization (5)
Concentration courses: A second Asian civilization course chosen from SISEA/HSTAS 212 (Korea), SISEA/HSTAS 241, HSTAS 201 (India), 202 (India), or SISEA/HSTAS 221 (Southeast Asia) (5), and
A minimum of 30 credits in approved upper-division courses on China including HSTAS 454, History of Modern China (5), one course on pre-modern China, and one course on Chinese arts and literature. Specialization (10 credits) in one of the three fields of modern China, pre-modern China, and Chinese arts and literature. In addition, an approved research paper is required in one of the upper-division courses on China.
A minimum grade of 2.0 in all courses counted toward the major is required, except for first- and second-year Chinese language courses, where grades must average at least 2.00. The "paper course" and 30 of the 35 credits required for the China concentration courses, including HSTAS 454, must be taken in residence at the University of Washington.
Lists of courses approved for the concentration are available in the Jackson School Office of Student Services in Thomson 111 and by following this link.
30 credits, to include:
(1) HSTAS 211 and either RELIG 202 or one additional Asian civilization, chosen from SISEA/HSTAS 212 (Korea), SISEA/HSTAS 241 (formerly 341-Japan), SISSE/HSTAS 221 (Southeast Asia), HSTAS 201 (India), 202 (India), 10 credits;
(2) 15 credits of electives taken at the University of Washington, chosen from SISEA 370, 444, 445, 449, 454, 468 (or their joint-listed equivalents), ECON 466, GEOG 336, 435, HSTAS 453. A maximum of 5 credits chosen from CHIN 373, 374, 380, 381, ART H 311, 410 through 418, 430 also may be included;
(3) 5 additional credits chosen from the elective list in (2), or in Chinese language beyond second-year level, or in upper-division transfer courses on China.
A minimum grade of 2.0 is required in each course applied toward the minor.
Visit the
East Asia Library Home
Page
Visit
the China Studies Home Page of the East Asia Library
Revised 4/3/2006