Department of Transnational Asian Studies, Rice University

A beautiful day for a celebration. 🌸
Thank you to all the students, families, and faculty who joined us to toast the TAS Class of 2026.

Celebrate our amazing graduates! 🎓✨

Graduating TAS students (majors, minors, and language certificates),
The Department of Transnational Asian Studies invites you to a reception honoring our distinguished Class of 2026. Join us for an afternoon of celebration as we recognize the hard work and achievements of our newest alumni.

Date: May 8, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Herring Hall, 3rd Floor

We can't wait to see you there! 🦉💙

Huge congratulations are in order! 🎊

We are thrilled to announce that Hae Hun Matos, Administrator for the Department of Transnational Asian Studies and the Chao Center for Asian Studies, has been nominated for the Faculty/Staff Service Award! 🏆

This nomination recognizes Hae Hun’s incredible dedication and her efforts that go far beyond the call of duty to improve the quality of life for graduate students here at Rice University. 🦉💙

Asian Studies is so incredibly proud of you, Hae Hun! Thank you for everything you do for our community. 🌟👏

📣 UPDATED TIME 📣
ASIA 103: Asian Food in the Age of Globalization 🍣🍚🍜
📆 Mon | 3:30 - 6:00 PM | Sonia Ryang
Distribution 1 | No prerequisites | ✨NEW COURSE✨

Through the lens of Asian food, this course examines broader issues such as historical and social disparities, contemporary inequalities, globalization, immigration and displacement, and the question of cultural authenticity.

This course is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.
🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0

‼️UPDATED TIME‼️

ASIA 203: Empire on Horseback 🏹🐎🏔️
📆 MW | 2:00 - 3:15 PM | Lisa Balabanlilar
Distribution 1 | No prerequisites | Approved for HIST major & minor | ✨NEW COURSE✨

This course explores the histories of the nomadic peoples who dominated the Central Asian steppe from antiquity to the early modern era, focusing on warfare, diplomacy, trade, cross-cultural exchange, and their lasting religious, artistic, and political impact across Eurasia.

This course is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.

🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0

Happening NOW!!!
✨ Discover Your Next Favorite Course ✨
Don't miss out! Come to Duncan Hall before 1 PM!

📣 TODAY & TOMORROW 📣
✨ Discover Your Next Favorite Course! ✨

Join the Department of Transnational Asian Studies at the upcoming Humanities Hangouts to explore our incredible lineup of Fall and Summer 2026 courses!

Whether you want to dive into the global phenomenon of the Korean Wave, explore Science and Technology in China, or examine the history of Empire on Horseback, our faculty will be there to help you find the perfect fit for your schedule.

📍 Where & When:
🗓️ March 24 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM @ the Academic Quad
🗓️ March 25 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM @ Duncan Hall

Courses is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.
🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0

FWIS 177: Storytelling in Buddhism ☸️📜🎭
📆 TTh | 1:00 - 2:15 PM | Eric Huntington

This course explores the forms and contexts of storytelling in Buddhism, with a broad eye toward literature, visual arts, and performance. Students engage in both creative and academic writing to understand the importance of narrative in Buddhist cultures and different approaches to writing in the modern day.

This course is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.
🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0

ASIA 307 / MDHM 307: Medicine and Empire in Asia 🩺🌍🏛️
📆 TTh | 9:25 - 10:40 AM | Chang Xu
No prerequisites | Approved for HIST major & Science and Technology Studies minor

This course explores the intertwining history of medicine, empire, and global expansion from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. Topics include epidemic disease outbreaks, science and medicine as "civilizing missions," ideas of race and racism in science, and the historical roots of the modern global health movement.

This course is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.
🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0

ASIA 234 / HART 234: Religion and Art in Japan ⛩️🎨🏯
📆 TTh | 9:25 - 10:40 AM | Eric Huntington
Distribution 1 | No prerequisites | Approved for RELI major & minor | ✨NEW COURSE✨

This course explores the intersection of Japan's religious and artistic traditions. From Amaterasu to Zen, students will trace the evolution of Shinto, Buddhism, and folklore from ancient origins to modern media, highlighting Japan's unique cultural innovations and global impact.

This course is offered by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies within Rice Humanities and Arts.
🔗 To see what other great classes we're offering this Fall, visit https://loom.ly/tl8Agg0