Global Asian Studies - DePaul University

Join AAS 301: Economic Inequality and Political Trauma and explore how trauma is shaped not only by war and violence, but also by capitalism, inequality, and political power.

🕒 MW 11:20–12:50
📍 LPC In Person
🔁 Cross-listed with GEO 301
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Maureen Sioh

From political economy to activism, psychoanalysis to contemporary global issues, this course invites students to critically rethink the relationship between trauma, power, and resistance.

🎒🌏 AAS 290: Topics in Asian American Studies 🌏🎒

Explore diverse topics across Asian and Asian American cultures, religions, histories, and societies through rotating special topics courses each quarter. 📚✨

Through interdisciplinary perspectives, students will engage with questions of identity, migration, spirituality, culture, and global connection across Asia and the Asian diaspora.

📚 AAS 290 — Topics in Asian American Studies
✨ Multiple sections available
💻 Hybrid, Async, and Sync online options

🪷✨ AAS 287: Introduction to Asian Philosophy ✨🪷

What does it mean to live a good life? How should we understand happiness, virtue, desire, and our relationship with society and the world? 🌏📚

Through philosophical discussion and reflection, students will explore timeless questions about humanity, ethics, knowledge, and the meaning of life. ✨

🕑 MW 2:40–4:10
🏛️ Domain: PI
🔁 Cross-listed w/ PHL 287
👨‍🏫 Instructor: Stephen Walker

⚔️🏯 AAS 264: Japan, ca. 1200–1800 🏯⚔️

From samurai rule and the rise of Kamakura to the cultural transformations of early modern Japan, this course explores the political, social, and intellectual foundations that shaped Japanese history for centuries. 📜🇯🇵

Dive into topics including:
⚔️ The emergence of the warrior class
🏙️ Urbanization and economic growth
🎎 Cultural and religious movements
📚 Social change and political authority in premodern Japan

Join us this Autumn Quarter for a deeper look into the history behind Japan’s cultural legacy and historical transformation! ✨

🕐 TuTh 1:00–2:30
🏛️ Domain: HI
🔁 Cross-listed w/ HST 264
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Ross, Kerry

🎌✨ AAS 262: Japanese Popular Culture ✨🎌

From anime and manga to J-pop, cosplay, film, and video games — Japanese popular culture continues to shape global imagination and challenge how we think about identity, technology, performance, and even what it means to be human. 👾🎮📺

🕚 TuTh 11:20–12:50
🏛️ Domain: SCBI
🔁 Cross-listed w/ JPN 242E
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Hibino, Aiko

🌈 Interested in LGBTQ history, culture, politics, and media in Japan?
AAS 261 explores the lives, struggles, resistance, and representation of LGBTQ communities in modern Japan through literature, film, manga, anime, visual culture, and contemporary politics.

From q***r identity and activism to same-sex marriage debates and transgender rights, this course examines how LGBTQ experiences intersect with Japanese society and global conversations around gender and sexuality.

📚 No Japanese language background required!

🗓 Autumn Quarter 2026
⏰ TuTh 4:20–5:50
💻 Online Synchronous
🔁 Cross-listed with JPN 244E
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Miho Matsugu

🌏 From the Mughal Empire to the rise and fall of British colonial rule, AAS 254 explores how South Asia was transformed between 1707–1947 — and how those changes continue to shape the modern world today.

Through history, politics, nationalism, and post-colonial thought, this course challenges simple ideas of “East vs. West” while examining the complex relationship between Britain and colonial India.

📚 No prior background required — open to students interested in history, empire, identity, and global modernity.

⏰ TuTh 11:20–12:50
🔁 Cross-listed with HST 153
👨‍🏫 Instructor: Rajit Mazumder

✍️ Explore the beauty of Chinese calligraphy through history, philosophy, and hands-on practice.

AAS 248: Chinese Calligraphy introduces students to the artistic traditions, techniques, and cultural meanings behind one of East Asia’s most influential art forms. From brushwork and script styles to poetry and personal expression, this course combines creative practice with historical and aesthetic study.

No prior background in Chinese language or culture required — just curiosity and a willingness to create.

🖌️ AAS 248 — Chinese Calligraphy
📍 LPC In Person
📅 Autumn Quarter 2026
⏰ MW 2:40–4:10 PM

🐉AAS 244: Traditions of Chinese Popular Culture explores the diverse beliefs and practices that shaped everyday religious life in Chinese history 🏮

From ancestor worship and local deities to mythology, festivals, spirit beliefs, and performance culture, this course examines how ordinary people understood religion and community throughout history.

🗓 Autumn Quarter 2026
💻 Online Async
👨‍🏫 Instructor: Dr. Nan Ouyang
📖 Cross-listed with REL 246

Perfect for students interested in religion, folklore, history, anthropology, and Chinese culture ✨

🪷 Interested in Buddhism, philosophy, culture, or Asian history?

AAS 243: *Buddhist Thought in Cultural Context* introduces students to the intellectual and cultural traditions of Buddhism across South, Southeast, and East Asia 🌏📚

Explore Buddhist teachings, meditation practices, literature, ritual, art, and everyday life while learning how Buddhism has shaped culture and society throughout history.

🗓 Autumn Quarter 2026
⏰ TuTh 9:40–11:10 & 2:40–4:10
👨‍🏫 Instructor: Yi Ding
📖 Cross-listed with REL 243

A great course for students interested in religion, philosophy, history, literature, and Asian Studies ✨