Course Description

Survey of the civilization of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia from early times up to the present day. We explore Asian art, literature, history, religion, trade, kinship systems, and the re-emergence from colonialism and war to global prominence.

The course surveys Asian civilization in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, which add up to fully half of the world’s entire population—from as long ago as 3000 BCE up to the beginning of the 21st century. It is a part of the world with an especially rich and dynamic cultural history. Course readings and slide show presentations incorporate hundreds of visual aids, including photographs, paintings, drawings, maps, and charts. Recorded audio slide-show presentations augment each week's reading assignments.

This course fulfills the D (Diversity) piece of the MSU CORE curriculum or 3 credits of the Humanities requirement in Liberal Studies Quaternity.

Meeting Place and Times

Online

Instructor(s)

Philip Williams.

Dr. Williams has been an Asian studies professor for over 30 years, and lived and worked in the Asia-Pacific region for five years. He is bilingual, with eight of his books published in English and three others published in Chinese, along with many shorter publications. Before coming to MSU, he taught at other universities such as UCLA, Arizona State University, University of Montana, and University of Vermont.

Prerequisites

Writing 101 

Tuition and Fees

If you are accepted into a qualified online program, see the appropriate MSU Online Only Tuition and Fee table.

If you are also taking a face-to-face course, please refer to the MSU Fee Schedule.

Required Books/Materials

No textbook required. Readings will be provided by the instructor

Computer Requirements:

Internet access

A device and browser that pass the system check for Brightspace LE, MSU's learning management system.

This course uses a learning management system. You will learn more closer to the course start date.

For More Information

For course information, contact Philip Williams

How to Register

You must be accepted as a student to Montana State University to take this course.

Learn how to apply.

After your application has been accepted, you will register via MSU's online registration system, MyInfo.

Registration requires a PIN. Learn how to find your PIN.

Once you have your PIN, learn how to register through MyInfo.