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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
AN 150 Introduction to Chinese Culture (1)
A survey of Chinese culture, taught in English, that provides students with a better
understanding of the peoples and cultures of China. Topics include geography, business,
politics, philosophy, religion, art, music, film, medicine, food, family, and history.
AN 303 Comparative Mysticism (1)
An interdisciplinary genealogy of mysticism. Using primary texts and contemporary
scholarship, students examine critically the major theories, practices, experiences, and
literature deemed “mystical.” Topics include “the Oriental mystery religions,” Vedanta,
Pythagoreanism (and the uncanny power of music), Neoplatonic Christianity,
Gnosticism, Kabbalah, Sufism, and Daoism. Prerequisite: at least junior standing or
instructor consent.
AN 323 Chinese Philosophies of Leadership and Strategy (1)
An investigation of major Chinese philosophies of leadership and strategy, including
Confucian exemplarism, Daoist notions of spontaneous emergence, and Sunzi’s
praxiological cultivation of efficacious situations. Considerable attention is given to
comparing Chinese thinking with the classical Western philosophies of Plato, Aristotle,
Machiavelli, and Clausewitz to articulate uncommon assumptions and contrasting notions
of efficacy. A Leadership Studies designated course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or
one previous course in PL (except PL 241).
AN 330 Asian Perspectives on Environmental Science (1)
A
n interdisciplinary examination of environmental science from perspectives of Asian
thought. The course supplements Anglo-European perspectives on the environment to
achieve a more global understanding of environmental science. Topics include the
problem of change, presuppositions of science, silent transformations, reversal and
propensity, ecology and ecofeminism, energy and natural capital, biodiversity and
chemical cycling, climate and future sustainability. Since environmental science studies
how humans interact with the environment, this course emphasizes the necessary
integration of humanities with social and natural sciences. (Also listed as UES 330.)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
AN 470 Senior Project in Asian Studies (1)
A research project that demonstrates a student’s ability to investigate a problem in Asian
studies. The research paper required must use scholarly and, if possible, primary sources,
either in translation or in the appropriate Asian language. Prerequisite: senior standing in
Asian studies.
AR - Art
AR 101 Basic Painting (1)
A studio course dealing with the fundamental principles of oil painting, accompanied by
supplemental exercises aimed at developing elementary drawing skills. Fall, Spring.