Home to major philosophical, religious, artistic, and political traditions that have shaped global history, Asia is important in understanding the contemporary transnational marketplace and international politics. The Asian Studies Program at Holy Cross offers students a variety of courses and a multidisciplinary framework for the exploration and interpretation of the diverse societies, cultures, and politics of Asia.
The Asian Studies Program offers a major and a minor, both of which prepare students for a wide range of careers with international scope. Students interested in Asian studies can enroll in any courses listed under the Asian Studies section on the First-Year Student website.
Students who plan to take a language in the Fall must complete a language placement form in STAR. Each language has a questionnaire and/or exam that must be completed before a student can register for a language course.
Learn more on the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures website.
Courses
CHIN 101
Elementary Chinese 1
Common Area: Language Studies
An introduction to spoken Mandarin and written Chinese. Providing a foundation in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and communication skills and an introduction to the Chinese culture.
CHIN 201
Intermediate Chinese 1
Common Area: Language Studies
Continued focus on the development of oral and written communication skills and on the strengthening of cultural competency in Chinese through the use of written texts and multimedia resources. Five class hours weekly. One and one-quarter units each semester.
MUSC 231
Music Of Bali-Gamelan 1
Common Area: Arts or Cross-Cultural Studies
Introduces students to Balinese music through the performance of selected pieces from the Gong Kebyar repertory. Instruction provided in the technique of playing the instruments that make up the Gamelan.
RELS 106
Buddhism
Common Area: Cross-Cultural Studies or Religious Studies
Survey of the Buddhist tradition, from its origins in ancient India through its evolution as a pan-Asian faith. Topics include the legends of the Buddha, the early monastic community, the emergence of Theravada and Mahayana teachings, Buddhist ethics and social philosophy, meditation traditions, and the later development of distinctive Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese schools. Utilizes textual and anthropological sources.
RELS 108
Hinduism
Common Area: Cross-Cultural Studies or Religious Studies
An examination of Hinduism and the Hindu tradition from the Vedas to the present day. Among the subject considered: the Upanishads; the Ramayana and Mahabharata; village Hinduism; Gandhi; and contemporary Hindu political thought. Evaluation will include both examinations and essays.
RELS 120
Comparative Religions/World View
Common Area: Religious Studies
Systematic exploration of similarities and differences within and among several traditions (Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam) and an examination of several key issues within the academic study of religion.
THEA 131
Balinese Dance 1 - 2
Common Area: Arts or Cross-Cultural Studies
Balinese Dance is a dance performance class which surveys the rich classical, contemporary, and folk traditions of music, mask, dance, and theatre from Bali, Indonesia. Hinduism plays a significant role in the performing arts of Bali and will be discussed in relationship to performance. Students rehearse and perform with Gamelan Gita Sari, the Holy Cross gamelan orchestra. This course can be taken for two semesters.
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