Asian Studies and Asian American Studies Undergraduate Courses for Summer 2009

Course Descriptions

    
AS393: Chinese Cinema (3 Credits)

Instructor: Beth Tsai Date: 05/18/09 to 06/26/09 Time & Day: 11:20 am - 12:35 pm MTWRF
Location: Baldy 107 Registration Number: 349135 E-mail: peitsai@buffalo.edu

This course examines Chinese-language films in their three production contexts: The People’s
Republic of China  (PRC), Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Together, the three regions form a “Cultural
China.” Chinese film embodies imperial culture and projects a reflexive critique on national
transition. Film as text can be read as a cinematic reflection of dramatic shifts and social
transformation of China,Hong Kong, and Taiwan, because film concretizes historical events at
the level of daily life and experience. This course highlights the visual connection provided by
film for to familiarize students with major events and themes in modern Chinese history. The
study of Chinese cinema includes, but is not limited to, consideration such as nationalism and
the ambivalent legacy of the Communist Revolution; politics and censorship; gendered roles
and family; modernity of local cultures; and collective fantasy in film.

AS394: Location and Business in Southeast Asia (3 Credits)

Instructor: Yew Wah Chow Dates: 05/18/09 to 06/26/09 Time & Day: 6:30 pm - 9:40 pm T& R
Location: Baldy 111 Registration Number: 308421 E-mail: yewchow@buffalo.edu

This course will provide an overview of the locational dimensions of doing business in
Southeast Asia focusing on site location and production capabilities. It introduces students to
Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Special emphasis
will be given to political and economic conditions, as well as social and cultural characteristics of
selected countries. Students are encouraged to develop their analytical skills by determining why
certain economic activities are located where they are or why they should be located in one place
as opposed to another. The delivery mode of this course will be based on lectures, group
presentations, and discussions of current business issues.

AS396: Asian American & Popular Culture (3 Credits)

Instructor: Yasuko Kase Dates: 06/29/09 to 08/07/09 Time & Day: 11:20 am - 12:35 pm MTWRF
Location: Clemens 108 Registration Number: 154776 E-mail: ykase@buffalo.edu

This course explores Asian Americans’ racial and cultural position in American popular culture
through a focus on crucial historical moments which reflect transformative U.S. racial formation.
We will start with the dominant cultural representations of Asian Americans in the late 19th
century, when Chinese immigrants started their influx to California. From that historical point, we
will follow the transformation of the representations chronologically. Later we will move to the
contemporary counter representations by Asian Americans, which rework and challenge their
stereotypes. Finally we will discuss new forms of Asian American creation, which do not necessarily
examine nor define their racial identity.

AS499: Independent Study (Please contact Asian Studies Program @ 716-645-3474 for information.)

GEO 334: International Environment and Commerce Problems (3 Credits)

Instructor: Yew Wah Chow Dates: 06/29/09 to 08/07/09 Time & Day: 11:20 am-12:35 pm MTWRF
Location: Filmore 351 Registration Number: 207214 E-mail: yewchow@buffalo.edu

This course examines international business environment and commerce problems facing
companies in conducting operations in the increasingly interconnected global marketplace.
We will focus on issues of management and organization, and resolution of conflicts that may arise
between business organizations and home and host governments.In addition, we will discuss the
recent global economic crisis and how this impacts the financial and economic development of
countries.We will then discussthe alternatives to the Western financial system and how this may
provide a resolutionto the crisis.

More information: Asian Studies Program, 714 Clemens, 645-3474, asian-studies@buffalo.edu