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Asia-Canada Minor
This minor program offers interdisciplinary study of trans-Pacific issues, as well as focusing on Asian cultures and civilization.
Program Requirements
The program may be completed in conjunction with any major or honors bachelor's degree, or within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences bachelor of arts degree program that requires two minors.
Courses used toward completion of the Asia-Canada minor may not also be used to fulfil program requirements in another department or program.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of nine units, including both of
An introductory course on Asia-Canada interactions. It will survey various issues, both historical and contemporary, including those involving Asian-Canadians. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
An introductory course on Asian civilizations in three areas: East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. A survey course, it is designed to cover multiple dimensions of people's lives and history in Asia. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
An introduction to historical and cultural perspectives on China. Topics covered will include different aspects of traditional Chinese civilization with a view to understanding contemporary Chinese society. Prerequisite: 15 units. Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to historical and cultural perspectives covering the basic aspects of Japan: geography, history, culture, politics, economy, etc. Prerequisite: 15 units. Equivalent Courses: JAPN250. Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to East, Southeast or South Asian art, literature, history or philosophy. The emphasis will be on the cultural importance of the themes covered and on their relationship to contemporary societies. Prerequisite: 15 units.
It is recommended that students who have not completed a high school or post-secondary course in Canadian history, society or culture should complete one of the following courses, to prepare for the required upper division course(s) ASC 300/301.
Canadian social, political, and economic history from 1867, examining aboriginal/settler relations, immigration, regionalism, foreign policy, economic development, culture, and political movements. Students with credit for HIST 102 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
A survey of major themes in Canadian social history from the arrival of Europeans to the present day. Particular attention will be paid to the effects of gender, race and class on the experience of Canadians over time. Recommended: HIST 101 and 102. Breadth-Humanities.
An examination of Canadian society from the perspective of the social sciences -- an introduction both to the nature of Canadian society and to the use of sociological and anthropological concepts applied to the analysis of modern societies in general. This course is meant to appeal to those who specifically wish to expand their knowledge of Canadian Society, and also to those who may be considering further work in sociology and anthropology. Topics to be considered include class structure, the nature of Canada's population, regional variation, gender relations, multiculturalism, native issues. Prerequisite: . Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
Upper Division Requirements
At least seven upper division units used toward satisfying the upper division requirement must be completed at 間眅埶AV.
Students complete a total of 15 units, including one of
A cross-cultural examination of the ways we perceive and represent each other in public discourse, including literature, news media, cinema, and other education and entertainment media. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course.
This course will explore the experience of Asian immigrants and their children, focusing in particular on social and cultural aspects. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course.
and one additional ASC upper division course
Content will vary according to interests of faculty and students but will involve China-related study within one or more of the social science or humanities disciplines. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course. Recommended: ASC 200.
and nine units chosen from the following. Upon prior application to the advisor, students may complete other courses that have appropriate content that do not appear below.
Content will vary according to interests of faculty and students but will involve Japanese-related study within one or more of the social science or humanities disciplines. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course. Recommended: ASC 201.
A cross-cultural examination of the ways we perceive and represent each other in public discourse, including literature, news media, cinema, and other education and entertainment media. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course.
Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one lower division ASC course.
Individual study. Prerequisite: ASC 101 or 102, one ASC 300-level course, and permission of the Program Director.
This course examines the opportunities and challenges of doing business with the Pacific Rim countries such as China, Japan and Korea. Topics include the following: the political and economic systems as they affect foreign investment; social and cultural systems as they affect management practices; the conduct of business negotiations for market entry; and marketing strategies. Prerequisite: BUS 346, 360W, and one of BUS 430 or 432; 60 units.
Examines why identity is such an important issue for contemporary diasporic communities and former colonies. Introduces students to critiques of representations that construct "racialized" groups as inferior, primitive threats to civilization and their constitution of passive, disciplined subjects. Primarily focuses on innovative cultural strategies developed in Indigenous People, the Black diaspora, Asian/Canadian communities and survivors of the Jewish Holocaust to create ethical communities and critique the impact of colonial violence on contemporary societies. Prerequisite: 75 units including CMNS 221 or 223 (or 223W); and two CMNS upper division courses; and CGPA of 3.00 or higher. Students who have taken CMNS 487 in terms 1037, 1047 and 1067 cannot take this course for further credit.
Offers a basis for understanding different Asia media systems in concrete historical, political and socio-economic contexts. Introduces students to a range of epistemological and theoretical issues in media systems in a vast and extremely diverse region that is undergoing a period of rapid political, economic, social and cultural transformation. Provides an overview of issues relating to different media systems and case studies of media and politics in specific countries in the region. Prerequisite: 75 units including one of CMNS 230 or 240, and one of CMNS 261 or 262.
An exploration of the media and popular culture scene in reform-era China. A wide range of media and popular culture forms and practice (including films, television shows, lifestyle magazines, street tabloids, and popular rhymes) are analyzed in their concrete institutional settings and dynamic relationships with official ideologies, market imperatives, and the everyday struggles and cultural sensitivities of various social groups during a period of epochal transformation in China. Prerequisite: 75 units including CMNS 240, and 261 or 262; and one of CMNS 310, 331, 345, or 346. Students who have taken CMNS 428, 486 or 487 with this topic may not take CMNS 445 for further credit.
Studies a selection of literary works in English from the Asian Diaspora. May be organized by cultural movements, critical issues, or theoretical approaches. The historical and regional focus of the course will vary. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
An examination of environmental issues facing rural people and their livelihoods in China from a political ecology perspective. Topics include: environmental history and concepts of nature; property rights in land and trees; agriculture; forests; wildlife and biodiversity; grasslands; and water. Prerequisite: GEOG 389W.
Explores the social and cultural problems in modern Chinese history, with special emphasis on popular and elite cultures in the late Qing, Republican, and socialist eras. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history including HIST 255.
Analyzes the history of the PRC from 1949 to present. Special emphasis on ideology, inequality, diversity, the Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, and economic reforms. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for HIST 256 may not take this course for further credit.
Covers the period in Japan from the 1930s to the 1950s and will introduce students to topics such as wartime atrocities, the dropping of the atomic bombs and the prosecution of war criminals. It will also attempt to explain why so much controversy surrounds interpretations of events arising from Japan's last war, the Asia-Pacific War. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: at least one course on modern Japan.
Traces the historical experience of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States and Canada. Provides a comparative, transnational treatment of the historical conditions that created the impetus for immigration; exclusionary laws; the nature of prewar immigrant communities; and internment. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for HIST 485 or 486 may not take this course for further credit.
Concepts and methodology of modern Asian history. Selected themes may include revolution, inequality, mass violence, ideology, imperialism, leadership, and the Cold War. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history.
The history of Japan from 1600 to the mid 20th century with a focus on the economic, social, cultural and political contributions of women. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for HIST 485 in 2001-1 or HIST 488 in 2002-1 may not take this course for further credit.
Focuses on underprivileged and disenfranchised groups -- farmers, workers, women, ethnic minorities, etc. -- and on the mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion that structure modern Chinese society. Note that the seminar covers mainly continental China. Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese diaspora will be discussed only in passing. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history, including HIST 255 or 365, or permission of the department.
Studies the history and traditions of specific Asian religions through the cultural and historical contexts that structure religious meaning. Prerequisite: 45 units.
An exploration of the cultural and intellectual accomplishments of a specific city that achieved prominence in a particular time period, and had substantial impact and influence on human civilization. Examines the political, social, religious, and cultural factors that help to explain a city's significance and investigates the achievements of its citizens. This course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 45 units.
An interdisciplinary study of the life and works of a man or woman who has made a lasting contribution to the humanistic tradition in more than one field of endeavor (e.g. philosophy, politics, literature, economics, religion). Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for this topic under another Humanities course number may not take this course for further credit.
Surveys the ethnic minorities of Southeast Asia, focusing on their relations with other ethnic groups, especially majority populations, and governments. Examines the treatment of ethnic minorities and the responses of the minorities, including ethnic-based secession movements. Reviews cross-border and broader international issues relating to minorities, such as their status as refugees and cross-border support for insurgencies. Prerequisite: IS 200 and 45 units.
An examination of the differing narratives of nation and modernity in the struggle for independence from colonial rule in India, and their implications for the post-colonial state, for politics and for India's economic development. Prerequisite: IS 210 or 220, and 45 units. Writing.
Provides an overview of national and political issues in Southeast Asia. Surveying politics in individual countries and regional political institutions, focus is given to particular themes such as democratization and civil society, communism and other forms of authoritarianism, the role of the military, decentralization, religion and politics, the impact of China on the region, and security concerns. Prerequisite: IS 210 and 45 units.
An examination of the political development of China in modern times with special emphasis on political culture and its relationship to political institutions, political processes and political behavior. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
The political system of Japan, including an analysis of political culture, political institutions, political behavior and both formal and informal political processes. Emphasis will be placed on the pre-World War II political development of Japan. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
An overview and analysis of international relations in East Asia. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.
* when topic is Asia-Canada related; consult program advisor for prior approval
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Major Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
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