Asian Studies (BA)
The Asian studies program explores a dynamic region encompassing the second and third largest world economies, more than a quarter of the globe’s population, and some of the oldest civilizations. This interdisciplinary major allows students to focus on Japan, China, Korea, or with an outside language study, pursue a special interdisciplinary minor in Southeast Asian or South Asian studies.
The wide-ranging curriculum draws from departments around the university, including courses in anthropology, art history, Chinese language and literature, dance, film, geography, history, international studies, Japanese language and literature, linguistics, Korean language and culture, political science, South Asian culture, and religious studies.
The major in Asian studies offers
- strong training in at least one Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean)
- knowledge of the histories and cultures of the societies in which that language is used
- a sense of how academic disciplines contribute to interdisciplinary study
- a knowledge of transnational Asia beyond the primary language and civilization focus listed above
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Exhibit broad knowledge and understanding of Asia as a transnational region, including its history, cultures, languages, politics, economics, societies, and diversity.\
- Use multiple disciplinary approaches and perspectives to critically analyze, interpret, and contextualize major issues and themes in Asian cultures and societies.
- Demonstrate skills in effective written and oral communications, research, and inter-cultural competence that are relevant to a range of careers.
- Achieve intermediate language competence (2 years) in a major Asian language.
Students who have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.70 or higher and want to graduate with honors in Asian Studies write a 30- to 50-page thesis. A faculty advisor must be selected and a proposal must be approved by the advisor and the Asian Studies Program Director at least two terms before graduation. Students may apply as many as 4 credits in Research (401) or Thesis (403) to the appropriate block of the 48 credits required for the Asian Studies major. The thesis must address an international or cross-cultural topic relevant to Asian Studies, and it must make meaningful use of at least two sources in an Asian language.
Asian Studies Major Requirements
Students must complete 48 credits as specified below. As many as 8 of these credits may be taken pass/no pass; at least 40 of the 48 credits must be chosen at the 300 level or above. All other courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better. Students should consult their advisors in planning programs of study.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar | ||
| ASIA 350 | What Is Asia: Theoretical Debates | 4 |
| Subregional Interdisciplinary Focus 1 | ||
| Six courses in the chosen subregion, if available; two courses must be in history, two in the social sciences, and two in the humanities; may include as many as 15 credits of upper-division Asian language courses related to the chosen subregion | 24 | |
| Discipline or Thematic Focus | ||
| Three courses in one discipline or theme 2 | 12 | |
| Regional Breadth | ||
| Course in Asian studies outside chosen subregion; may include lower-division language courses of a second Asian language | 4 | |
| Language Requirement | ||
| Two years of Asian language related to the chosen subregion 3 | ||
| 1 | Subregions: China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia |
| 2 | Disciplines or themes include but are not limited to film, food, literature, religion, pop culture, linguistics, or art. Discipline and thematic courses may be double-dipped from Interdisciplinary courses, but the major must include a minimum of 48 credits. Courses selected for the thematic area do not need to be taken within the declared subregional focus area. Courses selected for the thematic area cannot be language-based; linguistic and literature courses are acceptable. |
| 3 | Chinese and Japanese are taught through the fifth year in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. Languages must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better. Under special circumstances, students may demonstrate an equivalent competence by examination or by work in advanced language courses. |
Approved Courses for China Subregion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Civilizations | ||
| China, Past and Present | ||
| Early China | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the American West | ||
| China: [Topic] | ||
| Culture, Modernity, and Revolution in China: [Topic] | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Anthropology of Chocolate | ||
| Archaeology of East Asia | ||
| Great Books on Modern Asia | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Chinese Economy: Transition, Development, Globalization | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| Chinese Linguistics | ||
| Pedagogical Grammar of Chinese | ||
| Languages and Societies in East Asia | ||
| Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Pedagogy | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Globalization | ||
| Development and Social Change in Southeast Asia | ||
| Politics of China | ||
| Non-Western Political Theory | ||
| Humanities | ||
| History of Chinese Art | ||
| Contemporary Asian Art and Architecture | ||
| Arts of the Silk Road | ||
| Chinese Buddhist Art | ||
| Chinese Art: [Topic] | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Chinese Narrative | ||
| Introduction to Chinese Film | ||
| Introduction to Chinese Popular Culture | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| Third-Year Chinese | ||
| History of Chinese Literature | ||
| History of Chinese Literature II, The Imperial Age | ||
| History of Chinese Literature | ||
| Literature of Modern Taiwan | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Traditional Chinese Literature | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Modern Chinese Literature | ||
| Self and Society in Traditional Chinese Literature | ||
| Modern Chinese Texts: [Topic] | ||
| Intermediate Language Strategies | ||
| Intermediate Language Strategies | ||
| Intermediate Language Strategies | ||
| Literary Chinese | ||
| Literary Chinese | ||
| Chinese Academic Writing | ||
| Advanced Chinese: [Topic] | ||
| Chinese Film and Theory | ||
| Chinese Linguistics | ||
| History of the Chinese Language | ||
| Early China, Ancient Greece | ||
| Second-Language Acquisition | ||
| Teaching East Asian Languages and Literatures at College Level | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Literature | ||
ENG 362 | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Religions: Asian Traditions | ||
| Chinese Religions | ||
| Dark Self, East and West | ||
| Readings in Buddhist Scriptures | ||
Approved Courses for Japan Subregion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Civilizations | ||
| Japan, Past and Present | ||
| Samurai in Film | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the American West | ||
| Japan: [Topic] | ||
| Medicine and Society in Premodern Japan | ||
| Early Japanese Culture and Society: [Topic] | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Anthropology of Chocolate | ||
| Archaeology of East Asia | ||
| Great Books on Modern Asia | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Languages and Societies in East Asia | ||
| Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Pedagogy | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Globalization | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Linguistics | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Southeast Asian Politics | ||
| Non-Western Political Theory | ||
| Humanities | ||
| History of Japanese Art | ||
| Contemporary Asian Art and Architecture | ||
| History of Manga | ||
| Japanese Art: [Topic] | ||
| Japanese Prints | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Japan: A Cultural Odyssey | ||
| Second-Language Acquisition | ||
| Teaching East Asian Languages and Literatures at College Level | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Literature | ||
ENG 362 | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Manga Millennium | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Third-Year Japanese 1 | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Literature | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Literature | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Literature | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Fourth-Year Reading and Writing Japanese 1 | ||
| Modern Japanese Literature: [Topic] | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese Literature | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese Literature | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese Literature | ||
| Classical Japanese Literary Language | ||
| Japanese Business Culture and Language | ||
| The Japanese Cinema | ||
| Early Modern Comics | ||
| Translation and Japanese Literature | ||
| World Religions: Asian Traditions | ||
| Japanese Religions | ||
| Dark Self, East and West | ||
| Readings in Buddhist Scriptures | ||
| Medieval Japanese Buddhism | ||
| 1 | As many as 15 credits of upper-division Asian language courses related to the chosen Regional Focus may be used for the Social Science and/or Humanities requirement for the student's chosen Regional Focus. |
Approved Courses for Korea Subregion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Civilizations | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the American West | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Anthropology of Chocolate | ||
| Archaeology of East Asia | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Languages and Societies in East Asia | ||
| Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Pedagogy | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Globalization | ||
| Third Year Korean | ||
| Third-Year Korean | ||
| Third-Year Korean | ||
| Non-Western Political Theory | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Contemporary Asian Art and Architecture | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Korean Cinema | ||
| Contemporary Korean Film | ||
| Second-Language Acquisition | ||
| Teaching East Asian Languages and Literatures at College Level | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Literature | ||
ENG 362 | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Third Year Korean | ||
| Third-Year Korean | ||
| Third-Year Korean | ||
| Languages and Cultural Formation in Korea | ||
| Introduction to Korean Linguistics | ||
| Korean Popular Culture and Transnationalism | ||
| World Religions: Asian Traditions | ||
| Dark Self, East and West | ||
| Readings in Buddhist Scriptures | ||
Approved Courses for Southeast Asia Subregion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Foundations of East Asian Civilizations | ||
| Cities in India and South Asia | ||
| India | ||
| Vietnam War and the United States | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the American West | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Anthropology of Chocolate | ||
| Cultures of India and South Asia | ||
| Pacific Islands Archaeology | ||
| Archaeology of Southeast Asia | ||
| Great Books on Modern Asia | ||
| What Is Asia: Theoretical Debates | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Pacific Islander Studies | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Globalization | ||
| Gender and International Development | ||
| Development and the Muslim World | ||
| South Asia: Development and Social Change | ||
| Development and Social Change in Southeast Asia | ||
| Bollywood's Lens on Indian Society | ||
| Southeast Asian Politics | ||
| Non-Western Political Theory | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Contemporary Asian Art and Architecture | ||
| Islamic Art & Architecture | ||
| Arts of the Silk Road | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Literature | ||
ENG 362 | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Pacific Islander Studies | ||
| Music in World Cultures | ||
| Balinese Gamelan | ||
| World Religions: Asian Traditions | ||
| Dark Self, East and West | ||
| Readings in Buddhist Scriptures | ||
Approved Courses for South Asia Subregion
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Cultures of India | ||
| Cities in India and South Asia | ||
| India | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the American West | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Cultures of India and South Asia | ||
| Great Books on Modern Asia | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Globalization | ||
| The Global Story of Race | ||
| South Asia: Development and Social Change | ||
| Bollywood's Lens on Indian Society | ||
| Cultures of India | ||
| Non-Western Political Theory | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Contemporary Asian Art and Architecture | ||
| Islamic Art & Architecture | ||
| Arts of the Silk Road | ||
| Asian Foodways | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Literature | ||
ENG 362 | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| World Religions: Asian Traditions | ||
| Dark Self, East and West | ||
| Readings in Buddhist Scriptures | ||
Thematic Focus Courses
Art: ARH 208-210, ARH 325, ARH 350, ARH 382, ARH 387, ARH 485, ARH 488, EALL 211, MUS 358, MUS 490
Economics & Business: ANTH 223, ASIA 480, CHN 445, CRES 430, GEOG 342, HIST 363, JPN 455, PS 342, PS 345
Film: CHN 151, CHN 452, CINE/ENG 381M, CINE/KRN 151M, CINE/KRN 362M, COLT 212, GLBL 448, HIST 396, JPN 471
Linguistics: CHN 305-308, CHN 420-422, CHN 480-482, COLT 211, EALL 460, ENG 242, ENG 362, JPN 250, JPN 305-307, JPN 425, JPN 434-437, JPN 490
Pop Culture: ARH 350, ASIA 425, CHN 151-152, CHN 305-308, CHN 413, CHN 452, CINE/KRN 151M, CINE/KRN 362M, COLT 212, ENG 242, ENG 362, GLBL 448, HIST 396, JPN 250, JPN 425, JPN 471, JPN 480, KRN 361, MUS 358
Religion: ANTH 331, ANTH 345-346, ARH 325, ARH 387, EALL 211, REL 101-102, REL 302-303, REL 353, REL 440, REL 444
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. This degree plan would grant a BA in Asian studies with a focus on Japan.
This degree plan is for general planning purposes only and, due to the interdisciplinary nature of the major, it is imperative that students speak with advisors to determine which courses would best match their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| JPN 101 | First-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| Group-satisfying course in science | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| May be used to pursue a second major and/or a minor; discuss with an advisor | |||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Winter | |||
| JPN 102 | First-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| WR 122Z | Composition II | 4 | |
| Group-satisfying course in social science | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Spring | |||
| JPN 103 | First-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| HIST 192 | Japan, Past and Present | 4 | |
| Group-satisfying course in arts and letters unrelated to Asian studies | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures or identity, pluralism, and tolerance | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | ||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| JPN 201 | Second-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| JPN 305 | Introduction to Japanese Literature | 4 | |
| General-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| General-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Winter | |||
| JPN 202 | Second-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| JPN 306 | Introduction to Japanese Literature | 4 | |
| General-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| General-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Spring | |||
| JPN 203 | Second-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| JPN 307 | Introduction to Japanese Literature | 4 | |
| Meets the multicultural international cultures requirement | |||
| ASIA 350 | What Is Asia: Theoretical Debates | 4 | |
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | ||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| JPN 301 | Third-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| ARH 209 | History of Japanese Art | 4 | |
| General-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 13 | ||
| Winter | |||
| JPN 302 | Third-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| JPN 399 | Special Studies: [Topic] (Ghosts and Monsters) | 4 | |
| Group-satisfying course in arts and letters unrelated to Asian studies | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 17 | ||
| Spring | |||
| JPN 303 | Third-Year Japanese | 5 | |
| General-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 9 | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| HIST 396 | Samurai in Film | 4 | |
| Group-satisfying course in arts and letters unrelated to Asian studies | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Winter | |||
| JPN 434 | Advanced Readings in Japanese Literature | 4 | |
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Group-satisfying course in arts and letters unrelated to Asian studies | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 8 | ||
| Total Credits | 32 | ||