The schedule is subject to change. All materials are available on Canvas—no additional purchases required.
Module 1 — What is “Asia”?
Day 1
Class Orientation
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Read: Short news article on diplomatic gift-giving between the U.S. and South Korea
- Watch: CNN clip on diplomatic exchange (8 min)
- Write: 2-page reflective essay on what you think Asia is, what the study of Asia does, and how your understanding has been shaped. Due: Day 1, 11:59 PM
Day 2
The Making of Asia-Pacific
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Read: "The End of Area" by Gavin Walker and Naoki Sakai (31 pp.)
- Read: "Triumphal and Tragic Narratives of the War in Asia" by John Dower (12 pp.)
- Read: "Exhibiting the Enola Gay" (Smithsonian)
Day 3
In Search of Asia
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Work on Group Project #1: "Asian Artworks"
- Topics: Hindu Gods; The Art of Storytelling; Arts of Japan; Tibetan Buddhism and Mandala
Day 4
Renewing Asian Studies at the End of Area
Morning
Class meeting. Group presentations on Asian Arts. Student presentations on Amache Japanese internment camp and the disappearance of Denver's Chinatown.
Afternoon
Day 5
Field Trip — Asian Artworks & Asian American History in Colorado
Full Day
- Morning: Bus departure from campus → Denver Art Museum: Arts of Asia
- Lunch
- Afternoon: History Colorado Center — AAPI Archives in Colorado → Return to campus
Module 2 — K-Pop & Shamanism
Day 6
Reading / Watching Day
Morning (No class meeting)
- Read: "The Rise and Rise of K-Pop: A Pocket History" by Keith Howard (23 pp.)
- Read: Korean Shamanism: The Cultural Paradox — Preface & Introduction (17 pp.)
Afternoon
- Film screening: KPop Demon Hunters
- Consider starting your discussion board posts (minimum 5 days in Weeks 2 & 3)
- Post two screenshots from KPop Demon Hunters on Canvas
Day 7
Global K-Pop
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Read: Korean Shamanism: The Cultural Paradox — Chapter 4 (52 pp.)
- Read: "Unpacking K-Pop in America" by Lee (20 pp.)
- Option for discussion board posts
Module 3 — Gender, Modernity & Queerness
Day 8
K-Pop Shamanism
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Read: "Broken Ring" by Shimizu Shikin (15 pp.)
- Read: "Figuring Modernity: The New Woman and the Modern Girl in Republican China" by Sarah E. Stevens (22 pp.)
- Read: Militarized Modernity and Gendered Citizenship in South Korea — Introduction by Seungsook Moon (15 pp.)
- One group prepares for Group Project #3: Gendered Modernities
Day 9
Gendered Modernities
Morning
Class meeting. Group presentation: Gendered Modernities and National Projects
Afternoon
- Watch: Out Run (documentary)
- Read: "Ang babaylan nga nahimong bayot" (Smithsonian APA)
- Option for discussion board posts
Day 10 — Wellness Day
Take care of yourself!
No coursework expected. Focus on caring for yourself in ways that work best for you.
Module 4 — Empire, Nation & Citizenship
Day 11
Queering Asia
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Read: "Meiji and Taishō Japan: An Introductory Essay" by Ethan Segal (11 pp.)
- Read: "Honda Sōichirō and the Rise of Japan's Postwar Motor Vehicle Industry" (15 pp.)
- Read: "Settler Colonialism in the Making of Japan's Hokkaido" by Katsuya Hirano (12 pp.)
- Read: "Russian Settler Colonialism" by Alexander Morrison (14 pp.)
- One group prepares for Group Project #3: The Rise of Modern Japan
Day 12
Leaving Asia, Joining Europe
Morning
Class meeting. Group presentation: The Rise of Modern Japan
Afternoon
- Read: "Citizenships in Asia" (49 pp., includes five short articles)
- One group prepares for Group Project #3: Citizenships in Asia
- Option for discussion board posts
- You are encouraged to visit office hours to share research proposal ideas
Day 13
Becoming a Citizen in Asia
Morning
Class meeting. Group presentation: Citizenships in Asia
Afternoon
- Read: "Central Asia Water and Energy Program" by World Bank Group (16 pp.)
- Read: "The Ordination of a Tree" by Susan M. Darlington (14 pp.)
- Read: "Environing at the Margins: Huanjing as a Critical Practice" by Chia-ju Chang (32 pp.)
- One group prepares for Group Project #3: Environmental Challenges
Module 5 — Environment, Literature & Philosophy
Day 14
Environmental Challenges and Responses
Morning
Class meeting. Group presentation: Environmental Challenges and Ecological Practices in Asia
Afternoon
- Read: The King of Trees by Ah Cheng (53 pp.)
- Read: Zhuangzi — "Useless Tree" and "Cook Ding" (4 pp.)
- Start working on your research proposal
Day 15
Cultural Revolution and the Philosophy of Felling Trees
Morning
Class meeting
Afternoon
- Work on your research proposal
Module 6 — Research & Reflection
Day 16
How to Research about Asia?
Morning
Class meeting. Research proposal workshop.
Afternoon
- Work on your research proposal
Day 17
Refining Your Question and Approach
Morning
Student presentations of research proposals
Afternoon
- Work on Reflective Essay #2: How this block has confirmed, challenged, or reshaped your understanding of Asia and Asian Studies.
Day 18
Final Submissions
No Class Meeting
Everything is due on Canvas by noon.