HIST 2156

Students will challenge the portrayal of East Asia martial arts as ancient, timeless, and even mystical, by examining the history of the martial arts. They will examine how military techniques intended for use in war, policing, and the control of banditry came to be practiced as methods of moral, spiritual, and physical self-cultivation. Students will examine the historical origins of martial arts in Japan and China, their evolution over time, and how they both subverted and served stage agendas in the modern era. They will also examine the role of martial arts in popular culture. This course is cross-listed with ASIA 2156. Students may earn credit for only one of these courses.