Interdisciplinary Topics in East Asia 01:098:322 Fall 2013 TF 9:50-­‐11:10 AM@ SC-­‐203 ______________________ Instructor: Jessey J.C. Choo ([email protected]) COURSE DESCRIPTION This seminar focuses on the formation of the so-­‐called “East Asia” from roughly the 2nd century BCE to the 9th century CE. It traces two main lines of developments. First is the long shadow that China casted over its nearest Eastern neighbors, Korea and Japan, during their formative periods. Second is the spread of Buddhism that dramatically transformed China, Korea, and Japan in so many ways that it became a significant part of their identities. We will investigate how China had been the source of knowledge and oppression for its neighbors and the ways in which Chinese writing script and statecraft influenced the emergences of early Korean and Japanese polities. We will also examine some of the most transformative ideas and technologies. Neither the Koreans nor the Japanese indiscriminately adopted Chinese ideas and practices, thus we will discuss throughout the semester how they made their choices in forging their own cultural and political independence. LEARNING GOALS This course satisfies the following Asian Languages and Cultures Departmental Learning Goals for East Asian majors and minors: Majors will be able to demonstrate substantial knowledge of East Asian literature and culture and pursue advanced study and/or employment in a capacity requiring such cultural knowledge. Minors will be able to analyze and interpret texts and relate relevant issues to other areas in the humanities. See full statement of Asian Languages and Cultures Departmental Learning Goals at: http://sas.rutgers.edu/component/docman/doc_download/532-­‐sas-­‐learning-­‐goals COURSE REQUIREMENTS Class Participation 15% Class Presentations 20% Weekly Reflections 40% Term Paper 25% CLASS PARTICIPATION & PRESENTATIONS Class participation is mandatory. Any student who misses more than FOUR classes will automatically fail the course. Should you miss a class, please use the Absence Self-­‐Reporting system (https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/) to indicate the date and reason for your absence. Class participation does not mean just attendance. It encompasses 1) attendance at lectures; 2) observation of classroom decorum (no chatting, texting, eating, gaming, or surfing the internet); 3) timely completion of reading assignments; and 4) active participation in discussions. Students must bring readings assigned for that day to class. Students are to lead the seminar discussion in turn and present the assigned materials. Each student is expected to make TWO presentations throughout the semester. Everyone is required to come prepared for discussion whether or not s/he is presenting. ______________________________ 1 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS All written assignments will be evaluated based on accurate factual presentation of the topic, the level of critical interpretation/reflection, and clear and logical development of the argument and thesis. A. WEEKLY REFLECTIONS The weekly analytical reflection will consist of a close reading of one of the assigned primary sources. Students must demonstrate that they have read the specific document carefully, that they are able to connect it with other assigned readings, and that they can articulate intelligently what they understand to be the key questions raised and/or addressed by it. An analytical reflection should not be a simple summary of the content. Each reflection must be between 200 and 250 words, typed, single-­‐spaced, and include the title of the text analyzed and a word count. Each student must submit ONE analytical reflection per week. The ten highest grades will be used when calculating the course grade. All weekly reflections are due on Tuesday. B. TERM PAPER Students are expected to complete ONE term paper in this course. The paper will be an analytical essay centering on a question drawn from the assigned readings. The paper aims to help students become critical readers and to practice their skills as textual scholars. Students must directly engage with the sources and use them to support their arguments. Each paper will be between 1400 and 1600 words in length, typed, double-­‐spaced, numbered, include a word count, and have proper attribution and citation of sources throughout. All citations must be done according to the Chicago Manual of Style, for detailed information see: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Please note: Late submission will not be accepted without prior (meaning at least 24 hours) approval. So be sure to backup all your written works for this course. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity at all times. Violations include cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating violations of academic integrity. If you ever have questions about academic integrity in the course, please talk to me or send me an email immediately with your concerns. See full statement of current Academic Integrity Policy at: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/files/documents/AI_Policy_9_01_2011.pdf STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES It is the policy of Rutgers to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and wish to request accommodations to complete your course requirements, please contact the Office of Disability Services and ask to speak with a Coordinator (848-­‐445-­‐6800 or [email protected]) about accommodations. COURSE MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS: There are two types of course materials, books to be purchased and individual articles and book chapters available for download at the course website (Sakai). Students must bring the readings assigned for the day to class. • Charles Holcombe, The Genesis of East Asia, 221 B.C – A.D. 907, University of Hawai’I Press, 2001. • Wang Zhenping, Ambassadors from the Island of Immortals, University of Hawai’I Press, 2005. ______________________________ 2 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ OFFICE HOURS Tuesday 2-­‐3 PM or by appointment ______________________________ 3 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ COURSE SCHEDULE *= from the books you should have purchased The rest are on Sakai for viewing or download All readings must be completed by the date indicated PART I — THE OVERVIEW Week 1 09/03 Tue: Introduction 09/06 Fri: In the Beginning There Was China *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 1: “Introduction,” 1-­‐7 East Asia at the Center, Ch. 1, pp. 1-­‐17 Week 2 09/10 Tue: The Middle Kingdom *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 2: “E Pluribus Sericum,” 8-­‐29 East Asia at the Center, Ch. 1: pp. 17-­‐48 (download from Week 1) Hawai’I Reader, Ch. 27: The Xiongnu, Raiders from the Steppe 09/13 Fri: The Development of Chinese Statecraft (I) *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 3: “Civilizing Mission,” 30-­‐77 SCT, Section: “The Theoretical Basis of the Imperial Institution,” pp. 237-­‐273 (partial) Please choose between “The Springs and Autumns of Mr. Lü,” “The Guanzi,” and “The Syncretist Chapters of the Zhuangzi” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 3 09/17 Tue: The Development of Chinese Statecraft (II) *Ch. 5: “Nuclear Implosion,” 109-­‐144 SCT, Section: “The Theoretical Basis of the Imperial Institution,” pp. 237-­‐273 (download from Week 2) SCT, Section: “Dong Zhongshu,” pp. 292-­‐310 Please choose between: “The Huainanzi on Rulership,” “Deriving Political Norms From Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Models,” “The Responsibilities of Rulership,” and “Interpreting Omens” for weekly reflection or presentation. 09/20 Fri: Elsewhere in East Asia — Korea (I) *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 7: The Birth of Korea, pp. 165-­‐182 History of Korea, Chs 1 and 2, pp. 16-­‐47 SKT, Ch. 1: The Origins of Korean Culture (only pp. 1-­‐13) Please choose between: “Tangun” and “Accounts of the Eastern Barbarians” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 4: 09/24 Tue: Elsewhere in East Asia — Korea (II) History of Korea, Ch. 3, pp. 49-­‐73 SKT, Ch. 4: “Consolidation of the State,” only pp. 57-­‐65 Please choose between: “Account of the Silla-­‐T’ang War,” “The Three Prophecies of Queen Sŏndŏk,” and “King Sinmun’s Proclamation of His Accession” for weekly reflection or presentation. 09/27 Fri: Elsewhere in East Asia — Japan (I) *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 8: Japan, pp. 183-­‐214 Premodern Japan, Ch. 1, pp. 9-­‐24 TJL, Section: “Kojiki,” pp. 21-­‐27 Please choose between: “The Beginning,” “Solidifying the Land,” and “Visit to the Land of Yomi” for weekly reflection or presentation. ______________________________ 4 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ Week 5: 10/01 Tue: Elsewhere in East Asia — Japan (II) *Ambassadors from the Islands of Immortals, Chs. 1 & 2, pp. 7-­‐32 SJT, Section: “Japan in the Chinese Dynastic Histories,” pp. 5-­‐10 Please choose between: “History of the Kingdom of Wei,” “History of the Latter Han Dynasty,” and “History of the Liu Song Dynasty” for weekly reflection or presentation. 10/04 Fri: No Class PART II. ANCIENT JAPAN IN-­‐DEPTH Week 6: 10/08 Tue: The Myth of Yamatai Sacred Texts and Buried Treasures, Ch. 1: “The Lost Realm of Yamatai,” pp. 9-­‐54 Japan in Five Ancient Chinese Chronicles, Ch. 1: “The Chronicle of the Wei,” pp. 1-­‐26 (required); pp. 27-­‐145 (reference only) 10/11 Fri: The Myth of Himiko/The Myth of Amaterasu Himiko and Japan’s Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai, Ch. 8: “Himiko, Shamans, Divination, and other Magic,” pp. 127-­‐159 SJT, Sections: “Birth from the Sun Goddess,” pp. 20-­‐21 TJL, Section: “Kojiki,” pp. 27-­‐33 (download from Week 4) Please choose between: “Susano-­‐o and Amaterasu,” and “The Heavenly Descent” for weekly reflection or presentation. PART III. THE AGE OF BUDDHISM Week 7: 10/15 Tue: China Encountered Buddhism (I) *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 4: “Beyond East Asia,” 78-­‐108 Introducing Chinese Religions, Ch. 5: “Spread and Flourishing of Buddhism in China,” pp. 112-­‐137 SCT, Ch. 15, pp. 415-­‐432 Please choose between: “Mouzi: Disposing of Error,” and “Huaiyu: A Monk Does Not Bow Down Before a King” for weekly reflection or presentation. 10/18 Fri: China Encountered Buddhism (II) Introducing Chinese Religions, Ch. 6: “Traditions and Practices of Chinese Buddhism,” pp. 138-­‐162 SCT, Ch. 16, pp. 432-­‐444 and 471-­‐480 Please choose between: “The Tower of Vairocana, Indra’s Net, and Fazang on Indra’s Net and the Tower of Vairocana,” and “The Buddha-­‐Kingdom of the Flower Garland Sutra” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 8: 10/22 Tue: The World of The Lotus Sutra The Lotus Sutra, “Translator’s Introduction,” pp. ix-­‐xxix SCT, Ch. 16, pp. 444-­‐458 (download from Week 7) Please choose between: “The Buddha Preaches the One Great Vehicle,” “The Parable of the Burning House,” “The Impoverished Son,” “The Emergence of the Treasure Tower,” “The Unity and Diversity of Buddhahood,” “The Daughter of the Dragon King,” “The Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds,” and “Guanding: On the Five Periods of The Buddha’s Teaching” for weekly reflection or presentation. 10/25 Fri: Early Korea and Buddhism SKT, Ch. 3: “The Introduction of Buddhism,” only pp.34-­‐46 ______________________________ 5 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ Please choose between: “Uiyŏn’s Research in to a History of Buddhism,” “Hyŏngwang and the Lotus Scripture,” “Pŏpkong Declares Buddhism the National Faith,” and “Wŏngwang Goes to China for Study” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 9: 10/29 Tue: Early Japan and Buddhism Introducing Japanese Religion, Ch. 4: “Early Times: Pre-­‐Buddhist Japan and How Buddhism Arrive,” pp. 75-­‐86 SJT, Ch. 5: “Nara Buddhism,” pp. 100-­‐108 and 114-­‐117 Please choose between: “The Sutra of the Golden Light,” “Proclamation of the Emperor Shōmu on the Erection of the Great Buddha Image” and “The Bodhisattva Gyōgi” for weekly reflection or presentation. 11/01 Fri: What Comes to Japan with Buddhism Premodern Japan, Ch. 2: “The Advent and Assimilation of Chinese Civilization,” pp. 25-­‐43 Imperial Politics and Symbolics in Ancient Japan, Ch. 4: “Allochthons,” pp. 86-­‐104 SJT, Ch. 3: “Prince Shōtoku and His Constitution,” pp. 40-­‐42; 50-­‐55; Ch. 4: “Chinese Thought and Institutions,” pp. 63-­‐75 Please choose between: “The Seventeen-­‐Article Constitution of Prince Shōtoku,” “Emperor Jinmu,” and “Nintoku: Rule of Benevolence” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 10 11/05 Tue: An Example of the Confluence of Cultures — Asukadera (also known as Gangōji) The Four Great Temples, Ch. 1: “Asukadera,” pp. 23-­‐82 Religion of Japan in Practice, Ch. 29: “The Founding of the Monastery Gangōji,” pp. 299-­‐315 Focus on “The Founding of the Monastery Gangōji” for weekly reflection or presentation. 11/08 Fri: No Class PART IV. Direct Communication between Sui-­‐Tang China and Nara-­‐Heian Japan Week 11 11/12 Tue: Communications through letters *Ambassadors from the Islands of Immortals, Ch. 7: “Weight and Nuances in State Letters,” pp. 139-­‐
179 SJT, Section: “Japan in the Chinese Dynastic Histories,” pp. 10-­‐11 (download from Week 5) Focus on the one history in SJT for weekly reflection or presentation. 11/15 Fri: Communications through crossings *Ambassadors from the Islands of Immortals, Ch. 4: “The Voyage to China,” pp. 66-­‐85 and Ch. 5: “The Journey to Chang’an,”pp. 86-­‐102 Ennin’s Diary, pp. 1-­‐7; pp. 26-­‐27 Week 12: 11/19 Tue: At the Tang Capital *Ambassadors from the Islands of Immortals, Ch. 6: “Diplomacy in the Tang Capital,” 103-­‐138; Ch. 8: “Information Gathering,” pp. 180-­‐201; Ch. 9: “Acquiring Foreign Talent,” pp. 202-­‐215 11/22 Fri: No Class/Term Paper Due @ 11:59 PM via Sakai Week 13: 11/26 Tue: No Class 11/29 Fri: Thanksgiving Break Week 14: 12/03 Tue: Returned from China (I) ______________________________ 6 Chinese Classics and Thought ______________________________ 12/06 Fri: The Religious Traditions of Japan, Ch. 5: “The Beginnings of a ‘Japanese’ Buddhism (Tendai),” pp. 113-­‐
134 [Focus only on Sections: 5.1, 5.2, and 5.5] SJT, Ch. 6: “Saichō and Mount Hiei,”pp. 123-­‐142, 149 Please choose between: “Saichō: Vow of Uninterrupted Study of the Lotus Sutra,” and “Saichō: Explaining the Precepts” for weekly reflection or presentation. Returned from China (II) The Religious Traditions of Japan, Ch. 6: “The Beginnings of a ‘Japanese’ Buddhism (Shingon),” pp. 135-­‐152 [Focus only on Sections: 6.1, 6.3, 6.4] SJT, Ch. 7: “Kūkai and Esoteric Buddhism,”pp. 152-­‐174 Please choose between: “Encounter with Huiguo,” “The Transmission of Esoteric Buddhism,” “A School of Arts and Sciences” for weekly reflection or presentation. Week 15: 12/10 Tue: Conclusion *The Genesis of E. Asia, Ch. 9: “Sinification and Its Discontents,” pp. 215-­‐228 *Ambassadors from the Islands of Immortals, Ch. 10: “The Multipolar Nature of the International System in Asia,” pp. 216-­‐228 ______________________________ 7