Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
A survey of Tibetan Buddhism examining theory, practice, meditation, and identity.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers describe the workload as minimal, noting few assignments and open-book online exams. One student reported that readings were unnecessary because the instructor repeated topics during lectures.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025This proseminar covers advanced topics in Asian studies, focusing on the cultures of Asia.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Explores the prolonged cycle of wars in Vietnam and its neighbors from 1940 to the present, examining both local and U.S. perspectives.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course includes one midterm, one final, and a 15-page paper, with fast-paced lectures delivered without PowerPoint slides.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM covers the basic thought, practices and history of Buddhism.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Fall 2025ASIAN 300 covers selected topics in the study of Asian Languages and Cultures.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews for Hieyoon Kim report minimal weekly homework, typically one movie and one reading, with only three writing assignments and no exams.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Explore perspectives on human flourishing from sciences and humanities, investigating themes like resilience and compassion to sustain meaningful engagement.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The final is easy, but weekly quizzes and journals can be annoying or frequent.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026ASIAN 360 explores specific themes, works, or genres in Asian literature and culture through the study of translations.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Anatoly Detwyler: Students should prepare to read for every discussion to stay engaged in the literature course.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2024–Fall 2025ASIA ENCHANTED: GHOSTS, GODS, AND MONSTERS explores Asian conceptions of the monstrous, ghostly, and divine through religious studies, literature, anthropology, and history.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Students must complete substantial required readings before every lecture, often with tight deadlines, creating significant time pressure.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to East Asian History: China surveys major developments in Chinese history from 1500 B.C. to 1949, emphasizing patterns, themes, and equal time for classical/traditional and modern eras.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Zhaoshen Wang: Workload consists of a few straightforward research assignments, an easy midterm, and a final project, with extra credit available.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Introduction to East Asian civilizations covering China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Mongolia from prehistory to the present.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Anatoly Detwyler: Workload involves mandatory attendance and substantial reading, with straightforward quizzes based on those readings rather than complex exams.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026ASIAN 100 provides a comparative and interdisciplinary introduction to multiple cultures of Asia.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Adam Kern, Charo D'Etcheverry: The workload is generally light, featuring online quizzes and group projects. However, one reviewer reports an absurd amount of required reading, up to 600 pages weekly, despite the class being considered easy overall.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026HISTORY OF MEDICINE IN SOUTH ASIA explores historical South Asian conceptions of health, illness, and traditional healing systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2024ASIAN 301 explores interdisciplinary approaches to social science topics within Asian studies.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN HISTORY: JAPAN surveys major cultural, social, political, and economic developments in Japanese history from ancient to recent times.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course relies on exams and a term paper rather than homework, with heavy reading and significant participation weight. Grading is described as tough, with some noting high standards for top grades.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2024