Comparative Seminar in Asian Literatures

Catalog description

Comparative topics presenting literary works of Asia, from the origins of literature in Asia to the present time. CMLIT 522 CMLIT 522 Comparative Seminar in Asian Literatures (1-12)This course forms one of a series of three new-course proposals for seminars in comparative literature with a focus on various parts of the world. While existing seminars focus on comparative studies organized according to concepts such as literary theory, period, theme, or genre, through the proposed new seminars the Department of Comparative Literature seeks to provide visibility for the full complement of courses that reflect the department's global perspective. These proposals also respond to the College's policy to avoid repeated use of the 597 number for similar subject-matter. Thus we are proposing three separate comparative courses on Asian, African, and Inter-American literatures. All represent subject-matter previously taught as CMLIT 597 or other less clearly defined CMLIT numbers.Comparative study of Asian literatures is an important part of the curriculum of our Comparative Literature Department. It is a field of study identified as one of our specialties in our recent strategic plans. Joining existing graduate seminars in European literatures, this course and the other two new graduate courses now being proposed will make visible the ways in which the departmental curriculum to covers the diverse geographic areas relevant to comparative literary study.Our Department offers instruction in three Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), has long taught 100- and 400-level courses in Asian literatures (Comp Lit 004 and Comp Lit 404), has linkages with universities in China and Japan, and has attracted a steady stream of graduate students who work in Asian literatures and languages. Interest in the literatures of Asia is strong. As a further indication of our Departments globalization, we are establishing a new undergraduate major in Japanese (this proposal is presently in the Senate).In sum, we have long had separate numbers for our undergraduate Asian language and literature courses and we have previously offered graduate Asian literature courses under general numbers. In addition to complying with College policy and not continuing to use 597 repeatedly, we wish to make this field more visible within our curriculum by giving it a course number of its own.