PLS_1200_Syllabus

PLS 1200: Introduction to Asian Studies
Fall 2010 Syllabus
The University of North Carolina, Pembroke
“Asia is not going to be civilized after the methods of the West. There is too much Asia and she is too old.”
-- Rudyard Kipling
Ryan Griffith, M.A.
International Programs House A09
910-775-4096
Ryan.Griffith@uncp.edu
Class hours: M 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: BA 201A
Tentative office hours: T/W/R 5:00-6:00 PM
Or by appointment.
O V E RV I E W
This course is designed to introduce students to the major Asian civilizations and their respective
social and cultural histories. Asia, as defined here, includes the lands of eastern Iran in the west to
the Philippines in the east and from the Gobi Desert in the north to the Indonesian archipelago in the
south. The inhabitants of this region constitute half the world’s population and have witnessed the
births of many major religions. With its ancient origins and tremendous diversity, Asia represents one
of the richest regions of mankind’s cultural, social, religious, and technological advancement.
The course is roughly divided into four sections and will specifically examine four Asian subregions
(the Indian subcontinent, China, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia). The first section identifies the
ancient origins of Asia. The second section examines the splendor of Asian empires and the dynastic
development of subregional Asia. The third section explores the impact of occidental countries in
Asia and the role of Western imperialism in its development. The fourth and final section exposes the
roots of subregional Asia’s modern development and illuminates its social, political, and economic
growth throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
C O U R S E O B J E C T I V E S
By the end of this course, you will:
1. Become familiar with the building blocks of early civilizations and the geography of Asia;
2. Understand the cultures, religions, and histories of subregional Asia;
3. Be able to identify and discuss historical events and influential figures in Asia and discuss their
impact and/or contribution(s) to the region and its development as a whole; and,
4. Possess a richer understanding of how the modern states of Pakistan, India, China, Vietnam,
South Korea, and Japan have evolved and grown.

UNC Pembroke, Ryan Griffith PSPA 1200: Introduction to Asian Studies F 2010
2
R E A D I N G S
The following text is required:
 Murphey, R. (2009). History of Asia, A (6th Edition) (6 ed.). New York: Longman. (The syllabus will
call this HA).
o The above citation adheres to the APA format, demonstrates how all publications
should be referenced for this course, and can be created painlessly at
http://www.bibme.org/.
 I reserve the right to assign additional readings as necessary and required.
A S S I G N M E N T S A N D W E I G H T S
Attendance and Participation (15%)
Regular class attendance and participation are critical to the educational experience; as such,
students are expected to attend and actively participate in each and every class. Participation can
take a variety of forms, including but not limited to: speaking in class, asking questions (in class, out of
class, or via email), and actively participating in discussions and group presentations.
In order to effectively participate, students are required to (a) attend class and (b) prepare for class.
Preparation entails the completion of all required readings before class and allocation of sufficient
time to become familiar with the material.
Remember, attendance, participation, and preparation are student responsibilities. Accordingly,
students are required to complete and/or submit all assignments, presentations, papers, and
examinations on the stated due date.
Please, contact me before class if unable to attend. Absences will only be excused if accompanied by
a note from a physician. Students who accumulate two or more unexcused absences will not receive
any participation credit for the semester.
Reading Quizzes (15%)
As an added incentive to prepare for class, reading quizzes will be administered throughout the
semester. These quizzes will focus on the material presented in the textbook and will consist of true-
false, multiple-choice, and/or short-answer questions. Quizzes cannot be made up.
Group Activity (10%)
At specific times during the semester, small groups of students – determined at the beginning of the
course – will create, facilitate, and moderate original discussions, debates, simulations, or
presentations on pertinent topics. Participants will meet with me at the beginning of the term to
decide on topics that will complement the course sections. Note, whichever activity the group
chooses, do not simply summarize the required readings; I am looking for a critical dialogue or
exchange containing pertinent insights, not a CliffsNotes-styled lecture.

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Do not forget my previous comments on preparation. Please arrange regular group meetings to
ensure a collective recognition and understanding of the content, organization, and delivery of the
material. For groups deciding to conduct presentations, remember to engage your audience.
Furthermore, should you decide to employ a visual aid (i.e., PowerPoint or Keynote), use it to
emphasize your message, not to serve as a focal point or worse a script from which to read.
In addition to the activity itself, each participant within the group is required to submit a one-page
reflection on the activity, documenting the individual’s contribution, stating the group members’
contribution, assessing the aforementioned contributions, and citing any resources consulted. This
assignment will be due one week after the activity.
Further information is amended to this syllabus, including a grading rubric. Participation in group
activities cannot be made up.
Research Paper (20%)
There will be a writing assignment: one 1,500-word research paper. Further information is amended
to this syllabus, including a grading rubric. Late papers will not be accepted.
I highly recommend all papers be vetted through the University’s Writing Center prior to submission.
Further information about the Writing Center can be obtained by phone (910-521-6546), via email
(writing@uncp.edu), or online (http://www.uncp.edu/writing/).
Midterm Exam (20%)
There will be a midterm exam for the course. Due to the limited number of class meetings, make-up
exams will not be offered for this course. Should you fail to sit the midterm exam due to a
documented illness or emergency, the final exam will be weighed at 40%.
Final Exam (20%)
There will be a final exam for the course. The final exam will be offered only once; it cannot be made
up.
G R A D I N G M AT R I X A N D S C A L E
Grading Matrix
The following grading matrix will be employed to calculate a final grade for the course:

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Assessment Weight
Attendance and Participation 15%
Reading Quizzes 15%
Group Presentation 10%
Paper 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
TOTAL 100%
Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be utilized to determine a final grade for the course:
Letter Grade Percentages Grade Points Description
A 95 to 100 4.0 Excellent – superior performance,
demonstrating comprehensive
understanding of subject matter.A- 90 to 94 3.7
B+ 88 to 89.9 3.3 Good – above average performance,
representing adequate understanding of
subject matter.
B 83 to 87.9 3.0
B- 80 to 82.9 2.7
C+ 78 to 79.9 2.3 Satisfactory – average performance,
signifying basic understanding of subject
matter.C 73 to 77.9 2.0
C- 70 to 72.9 1.7
Unsatisfactory – below average
performance, indicating marginal
understanding of subject matter.
D+ 68 to 69.9 1.3
D 63 to 67.9 1.0
D- 60 to 62.9 0.7
F 00.0 to 59.9 0.0
Fail – misunderstanding of subject
matter.

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C L A S S FO R M AT
Class Format
Classes meet for three hours once a week on Monday evenings. Due to the length of our meetings, I
will endeavor to break classes into two – albeit unequal – halves. The first half will consist of a lecture
based on the chapter being covered. During this period, it is important to note, I will frequently
incorporate aspects of the Socratic Method, cold calling students and challenging them to defend
their positions. The second half, commencing after a short break, centers around a discussion of
recent readings.
Behavioral Expectations
1. Attendance, Participation and Preparation – a reiteration
Regular class attendance and participation are critical to the educational experience; as such,
students are expected to attend and actively participate in each and every class. Participation can
take a variety of forms, including but not limited to: speaking in class, asking questions (in class, out of
class, verbally, or via email), and participating in discussions and group presentations.
In order to effectively participate, students are required to (a) attend class and (b) prepare for class.
Preparation entails the completion of all required readings before class and sufficient time devoted to
becoming familiar with the material. Being prepared also requires turning off your cell phone or
setting the ringer to vibrate and placing it in your bag, not on your desk.
Remember, attendance, participation, and preparation are student responsibilities. Accordingly,
students are required to complete and/or submit all assignments, presentations, papers, and
examinations on the stated due date.
Please, contact me before class if unable to attend. Absences will only be excused if accompanied by
a note from a licensed physician. Students who accumulate two or more unexcused absences will not
receive any participation credit.
2. Punctuality
Class will start on time. Tardiness disrupts the flow of learning; so, if you are late, you will be marked
absent. If the classroom door is closed, DO NOT open it.
3. Food and Drink
Eating is strictly prohibited during classroom hours as is chewing gum. Water is allowed.
4. Classroom Etiquette
No unsolicited talking during class, no reading during class, no operation of cell phones during class,
and no inappropriate use of laptops during class.

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P O L I C I E S A N D P RO C E D U R E S
Extensions and Make-up Exams
Due to the limited number of class meetings, granting extensions and/or scheduling make-up
activities and/or exams are extraordinarily difficult. Accordingly, extensions and make-up exams are
unavailable:
Assessment Make up
Attendance and Participation Not Possible
Reading Quizzes Not Possible
Group Presentation Not Possible
Paper Not Possible
Midterm Exam Not Possible*
Final Exam Not Possible
* Should you fail to sit the midterm exam, the final exam will be weighed at 40%. The final exam,
however, will be offered only once. There will not be an opportunity to make up this exam.
Should your participation in an official University function be required, please contact me as soon as
possible.
Disabilities
Appropriate academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities can be made in
compliance with University of North Carolina at Pembroke regulations. Students are responsible for
registering with Disability Support Services by phone (910-521-6695), email (dss@uncp.edu), or
online (http://www.uncp.edu/dss/) and informing me of any request in a timely manner. If you
require accommodation, please contact me as soon as possible.
Academic Integrity
Each student is expected to abide by The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Academic Honor
Code (http://www.uncp.edu/studentconduct/honor/). Although students are encouraged to study
together, any work submitted by a student in this course will be the student's own work.
Collaboration is, however, allowed for group activities.
Talking, copying from others, comparing papers, or otherwise cooperating is not allowed during
quizzes and examinations. Any such behavior will result in failure of the quiz or exam and may lead to
disciplinary action, possibly even failure of the course.
Errata
I reserve the right to make any new rules and/or changes to the course.

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G R O U P A C T I V I T Y
Requirements
Structure: A well-constructed activity, the first requirement, demands attention to content, format,
presentation skills, and visual aids.
1. Content: accuracy, appropriateness, creativity, persuasiveness, and research.
2. Format: organization, which includes the
- opening,
- body,
- closing,
o summary
o findings
o recommendations
- and transitions.
3. Presentation: clarity, connectivity, eye contact, flow, and audience engagement.
4. Visual Aids: use of PowerPoint/Keynote and/or handouts.
Reflection: A one-page reflective exercise, due one week after the activity, is the second
requirement. This represents as an opportunity for critical, honest self-reflection, the
basis for self-improvement. The objective here is to critique the activity by
1. documenting the individual student’s contributions,
2. stating the group members’ contributions,
3. assessing the aforementioned contributions
(the individual student’s and the group members’)
4. and citing the resources consulted.
Grading: Both the structural and reflective requirements will be evaluated using the 5-point
grading scale shown below.
- (5) Excellent
- (4) Good
- (3) Satisfactory
- (2) Unsatisfactory
- (1) Fail
Each of the four structural requirements (content, format, presentation, and visual aids)
will be allotted 5 points each, for a maximum of 20 points. The reflective requirement
will also be assessed using the same 5-point scale, but this portion will be allotted 5
points. The total number of points possible for the group activity is thus 25.

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R E S E A R C H PA P E R
Requirements
Length: 1,500 words
Layout: Use 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri.
Double-space with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).
Include a title, headings, and page numbers.
Steps: 1. Prospectus, a one-page synopsis of the paper to include the following:
- states the research or policy question;
- explains why it – the question – is important;
- summarizes potential alternatives; and,
- lists at least four resources (see below).
2. Rough draft, a semi-complete paper to be reviewed by me and possibly your peers.
3. Final draft, a completed paper for final submission.
Dates: 20 September 2010, prospectus due (submit one hardcopy)
25 October 2010, rough draft due (submit two hardcopies)
22 November 2010, final draft due (submit one hardcopy)
Description: Research
The research option focuses on explanation. Choose and seek an answer to a question
concerning world politics. An example question might be: “Why did the Han Dynasty
collapse?”
Structure: 1. Introduction State your research or policy question.
Explain its importance.
Consider contextual backdrop and/or history.
Articulate your answer.
2. Body Support your answer.
Evaluate alternatives.
3. Conclusion Restate research or policy question.
Reemphasize importance.
Summarize arguments.
Again, I highly recommend all papers be vetted through the University’s Writing Center
prior to submission. Further information about the Writing Center can be obtained by
phone (910-521-6546), via email (writing@uncp.edu), or online
(http://www.uncp.edu/writing/).

9
Guidelines: 1. Utilize resources, which include:
- books,
- journal articles (e.g., The Journal of Asian Studies and The China Quarterly),
- newspapers (e.g., New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post),
- magazine articles (e.g., Newsweek, The Economist, and Time), and
- primary sources (e.g., press releases, speeches, and research findings).
2. Use in-text parenthetical citations as ascribed to by the APA (American Psychological
Association). A style guide can be found at
http://library.williams.edu/citing/styles/apa.php.
3. Include a bibliography, utilizing the aforementioned APA method. For this task, I
recommend http://www.bibme.org/.
Grading: The grading for the paper will employ the weighting system defined below.
Component Weight
Prospectus 10%
Rough draft 10%
Final draft 80%
TOTAL 100%

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C O U R S E C A L E N DA R
23 August Class 01: Course Overview and Introduction to Monsoon Asia
Activities: Introductions
Syllabus and course overview
Readings: HA. Introduction. Monsoon Asia as a Unit of Study.
30 August Class 02: Prehistoric Asia and Asian Religions and Cultures
Readings: HA. Chapter 01. Prehistoric Asia.
HA. Chapter 02. Asian Religions and Their Cultures.
06 September NO CLASS: Labor Day
Readings: HA. Chapter 03. The Traditional Societies of Asia.
13 September Class 03: Ancient India and China
Readings: HA. Chapter 04. The Civilization of Ancient India.
HA. Chapter 05. The Civilization of Ancient China.
20 September Class 04: Medieval India and Southeast Asia
Readings: HA. Chapter 06. Medieval India.
HA. Chapter 07. Early and Medieval Southeast Asia.
Assignment: Research paper prospectus due.
27 September Class 05: Review and Midterm
04 October Class 06: Medieval China and Early to Medieval Japan and Korea ( ONLINE)
Readings: HA. Chapter 08. China: A Golden age.
HA. Chapter 09. Early, Classical, and Medieval Japan and Korea.
11 October Class 07: Mughal India and Imperial China (ONLINE)
Readings: HA. Chapter 10. Mughal India and Central Asia.
HA. Chapter 11. New Imperial Splendor in China: The Ming Dynasty.

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18 October Class 08: The West in Asia (ONLINE)
Readings: HA. Chapter 12. The West Arrives in Asia.
HA. Chapter 13. Manchu China and Tokugawa Japan.
25 October Class 09: Imperialism in Asia
Readings: HA. Chapter 14. The Rise of British Power in India.
HA. Chapter 15. The Triumph of Imperialism in Asia.
Assignment: Research paper rough draft due.
01 November Class 10: Group Activity
Activity: Group Activities
08 November Class 11: The Effects of Imperialism in Asia
Readings: HA. Chapter 16. Subjugation, Nationalism, and Revolution in China and India.
HA. Chapter 17. The Struggle for Asia, 1922-1945.
15 November Class 12: Post-war Asia
Readings: HA. Chapter 18. Revival and Revolution in Japan and China.
HA. Chapter 19. Korea and Southeast Asia in the Modern World.
22 November Class 13: Asia in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries
Readings: HA. Chapter 20. South Asia: Independence, Political Division, and Development
HA. Chapter 21. Asia in the Twenty-First Century.
Assignment: Research paper final draft due.
29 November Class 14: Review
06 December Class 15: Final Examination (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM)

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C L A S S M AT E CO N N E C T I O N S
It is always useful to have the names and contact information of a few colleagues (in case of absence
or for the formation of study groups, for instance).
Name Email Cell phone
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Michael B. Nelson at Wesleyan University for creating
and making available his Spring 2009 GOVT 155 syllabus, which I found inspirational and obviously used as
a model for this document. Thank you, Prof. Nelson, for your invaluable contribution to the
OpenCourseWare community.

PLS_1200_Syllabus

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