In this Sociology and Asian Studies course, we deal with some of the fundamental questions in our global age: How do we understand a culture or society that is radically different from our own?

The course has two parts. In the first half, we read theoretical texts such as Edward Said's Orientalism, excerpts from Kant's and Hegel's writing on race and world history, essays on religion by Max Weber, Wendy Doniger,
Donald Lopez and Tomoko Masuzawa, as well as debates about the "clash of civilizations" and the "geography of thought," in order to conceptualize the notion of "the Other" and our relationship with "the Other." In the second
half, we focus on writings about Asia (Tibet, Japan, and China), such as travel writing, historical analysis and fiction. We will also examine recent films such as "Lost in Translation." By analyzing these accounts of the journey to the East, we learn to recognize the complex relationships we have with the cultural, religious and social traditions that are radically different from our own, with the hope that we can develop a meaningful connection with them through reflexive understanding.

This course helps both sociology and Asian Studies students to theorize the complex and creative relationship between oneself and "the Other," and it is of use to students who have recently returned from study abroad
(particularly Asia), as well as the ones who are preparing to go abroad.

Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor

Please feel free to email Prof. Sun (suna@kenyon.edu) if you have any questions!