This course examines the complex nature of the relationships and encounters between the imaginary and the real ‘East’ and ‘West’, in the present and recent past. It explores the interactions among cultural, social, economic and religious aspects of international affairs, particularly the changes at the cultural and religious levels which have subtly altered the international relationships of the East-West. It will also re-examine the concept of interactions and exchanges both within and beyond traditional theoretical mappings such as post colonialism and post-modernism. Its focus is primarily upon the interactions between ‘East Asia’ and ‘the West’ over the past three hundred years and the art and religious world with awareness of cultural fluidity.

CILO-1: Explore the complex nature of the relationships, encounters, and transpositions between 'East' and 'West,' both on real and imaginary levels. CILO-2: Analyze political, social, economic and cultural aspects of intercivilizational encounters, particularly those having affected internal conditions and altered the relationships between East and West. CILO-3: Examine the concept of interactions and exchanges both within and beyond traditional theoretical mappings, such as post-colonialism and post-modernism.