Asian Studies Major

Asian studies offers students a flexible set of course options to explore Asia widely while focusing upon a specific region of Asia: East Asia (China or Japan), or South and Southeast Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam).

Students are required to specify their subregion emphasis during the declaration process. The four possible emphases are:

China
Japan
South and Southeast Asia
Comparative and Transregional

Under the Comparative and Transregional category, students, in close consultation with an adviser, may design a program of five courses that compare or transcend specific regions or countries. This may include courses focusing on particular social groups, such as Asian Americans or the Asian diaspora.

Major Requirements

Nine courses are required for the major:

One introductory course
Eight electives, with the following stipulations:
- Five courses must focus on the region of the declared emphasis
- Electives must span at least two of these three divisions: arts and humanities; social sciences; natural sciences and mathematics
- Four of the eight electives must be at the 300- or 400-level

Additional Stipulations:

The introductory course may count toward the five courses focused on a single region of Asia if it’s applicable to the declared emphasis
Majors are strongly encouraged to acquire proficiency in one or more Asian languages, although no more than three language courses at any level may count toward the nine courses required for the major.

Introductory Course

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ASIC in the course offerings.

One introductory course drawn from the following Liberal Arts Core Curriculum courses:

ASIA 200 - Approaches to Asia
CORE C130 - Korean Peninsula
CORE C136 - Pacific Islands and Diasporas
CORE C137 - Partition: The Division of British India
CORE C154 - Indonesia
CORE C165 - China
CORE C166 - India
CORE C167 - Japan
CORE C197 - Tibet
These courses may also be offered as first-year seminars (FSEMs).

Governed Electives

Electives come from the list of Governed Electives below. Occassionally, courses not listed in the Governed Electives list may also serve as electives for this major if they are at the 300- or 400-level and if at least 40 percent of the course and of the student’s work concerns Asia. Students must gain approval from the director of Asian Studies prior to taking these courses for them to count toward the major.

China

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ASCH in the course offerings.

Japan

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ASJA in the course offerings.

South and Southeast Asia

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ASSA in the course offerings.

Comparative and Transregional

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of AAPI in the course offerings.

Other

GPA Requirement

Majors must achieve at least a 2.00 GPA in the nine courses required for the major.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Asian Studies program page.

Asian Studies Program

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Asian Studies program catalog page.