Program Affiliated Faculty
Ina Asim, history (China)
William S. Ayres, anthropology (Southeast Asia and Pacific islands)
Aletta Biersack, anthropology (Southeast Asia and Pacific islands)
Alison Carter, anthropology (Southeast Asia)
Steven T. Brown, East Asian languages and literatures (Japan)
Daniel P. Buck, geography (China)
Kathie Carpenter, international studies (Southeast Asia)
Shankha Chakraborty, economics (South Asia)
Roy Chan, East Asian languages and literatures (China)
Scott DeLancey, linguistics (Southeast Asia)
Rachel DiNitto, East Asian languages and literatures (Japan)
Maram Epstein, East Asian languages and literatures (China)
Tara Fickle, English (Asian American culture)
Scott Fitzpatrick, anthropology (Pacific islands)
Alisa D. Freedman, East Asian languages and literatures (Japan)
Andrew E. Goble, history (Japan)
Bryna Goodman, history (China)
Sangita Gopal, English (South Asia)
Alison Groppe, East Asian languages and literatures (Chinese culture)
Luke Habberstad, East Asian languages and literatures, religious studies (China)
Jeffrey E. Hanes, history (Japan)
Analise Heinz, history (China)
Kaori Idemaru, East Asian languages and literatures (Japan)
Zhuo Jing-Schmidt, East Asian languages and literatures (China)
Lamia Karim, anthropology (South Asia)
Masami Kawai, cinema studies (Asian American)
Dong Hoon Kim, cinema studies (Korea, East Asia)
Jina Kim, East Asian languages and literatures (Korea)
Nayoung Kwon, East Asian languages and literatures (Korea)
Charles H. Lachman, history of art and architecture (China)
Gyoung-Ah Lee, anthropology (China and Korea)
David Leiwei Li, English (Chinese film and Asian American literature)
Kenneth B. Liberman, sociology
Susanna Soojung Lim, russian, east european and eurasian studies (Korea)
Leah Lowthorp, anthropology (South Asia)
Dyana Mason, planning, public policy and management (Southeast Asia)
David Meek, international studies (South Asia)
HyeRyoung Ok, cinema studies (Korea)
Eileen M. Otis, sociology (China)
Seungahn Nah, journalism (East Asia)
Eric W. Pederson, linguistics (South Asia)
Roxann Prazniak, honors college (China)
Eric Priest, law (China)
Ari Ernesto Purnama, cinema studies (Southeast Asia)
Biswarup "Bish" Sen, journalism and communications (South Asia)
Jeff Schroeder, religious studies (Japan)
Xiaobo Su, geography (China)
Yeling Tan, political science (China)
Ying Tan, art (China)
Tze-Yin Teo, comparative literature (East and Southeast Asia)
Mark T. Unno, religious studies (East Asian religions)
Arafaat Valiani, history (South Asia)
Tuong Vu, political science (East and Southeast Asia)
Akiko Walley, history of art and architecture (Japan)
Glynne Walley, East Asian languages and literatures (Japan)
Yugen Wang, East Asian languages and literatures (China)
Lesley Jo Weaver, international studies (South Asia)
Anita M. Weiss, international studies (South Asia)
Yizhao Yang, planning, public policy and management (China)
Kyu Ho Youm, journalism and communication
Undergraduate Studies
The Asian Studies Program’s interdisciplinary program leads to a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in Asian studies.
Students may focus their studies on Japan, China, Korea, or, with outside language study, a special interdisciplinary major in Southeast Asian or South Asian studies. Students may enhance majors in other departments with a minor in East Asian studies, South Asian studies, or Southeast Asian studies.
Students who major in Asian studies often complement their course work with a year or more of residence in Asia or a double major to combine a profession with their area of expertise. Job possibilities are increasing in such fields as business, journalism, government, and education. Many students go on to graduate studies.
The curriculum includes courses in anthropology, art history, dance, ethnic studies, film, geography, history, global studies, linguistics, political science, religious studies, and Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language and literature. The program is administered by the Asian studies committee, which is composed of faculty members with Asian specializations.
Declaring a Major
To be accepted into the Asian studies major, a student must request acceptance as a major in the Asian studies office before attaining senior status. Depending on interests and career objectives, students are encouraged to discuss with their advisors or the program director the advisability of pursuing a second major in a supporting discipline or preprofessional program.
Major Requirements
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
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.
Bachelor of Arts Degree 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.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| ASIA 350 | What Is Asia: Theoretical Debates | 4 |
| 24 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 4 |
| 3 | |
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 mentor must be selected and a proposal must be approved by 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, it must make meaningful use of at least two Asian language sources.
Minor Requirements
Students should consult with the program director to determine whether a course has a full or partial focus on East Asia, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. A list of preapproved courses for each minor is available in the Asian studies office. Students should acquaint themselves with the selection of experimental courses offered each term and may pursue directed readings with East Asian, South Asian, or Southeast Asian specialists. First- and second-year language courses cannot be used to satisfy requirements for the minor.
Minor in East Asian Studies
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| 20 |
| ASIA 350 | What Is Asia: Theoretical Debates | 4 |
| |
| Total Credits | 24 |
At least 12 of the 24 credits must be upper division.
Minor in South Asian Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 8 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
At least 12 of the 24 credits must be upper division. Students must consult with one of the South Asia faculty members when determining courses to take.
In addition, students must either demonstrate first-year proficiency in any South Asian vernacular language or complete a ten-week term of study or internship in South Asia, under the supervision of a member of the UO South Asia faculty.
Minor in Southeast Asian Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 1 | 4 |
| 20 |
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
Degree Map
| First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| JPN 101 |
First-Year Japanese |
| 5 |
| WR 121 |
College 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 122 |
College 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 |
Degree Map
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 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 |
Degree Map
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 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 |
Degree Map
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| PS 460 |
Political Economy of East Asia |
| 4 |
| Group-satisfying course in arts and letters unrelated to Asian studies |
| 4 |
| Elective course |
| 4 |
| | Credits | | 12 |
| | Total Credits | | 36 |
Graduate Studies
The university offers an interdisciplinary program in Asian studies with an emphasis on East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia leading to the master of arts (MA) degree. The MS degree program is inactive.
The curriculum includes courses in anthropology, art history, Chinese language and literature, geography, history, global studies, Japanese language and literature, linguistics, political science, and religious studies. The program is administered by the Asian studies committee, which is composed of faculty members with Asian specializations.
Application for Admission
An applicant for admission to the master’s program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university. It is expected that applicants have a minimum of two years of language study and some undergraduate preparation in courses relating to Asia. Students lacking adequate Asian language or disciplinary training must take appropriate preparatory courses, for which no graduate credit is earned.
Required materials for admission and financial aid are as follows:
- University of Oregon application form and application fee
- Transcripts of all college or university course work, including the final transcripts for any degree received
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of objectives
- Writing sample
- Test score for Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 575 (paper-based test) or 88 (Internet-based test) or an IELTS score of at least 7, unless they have received a bachelor’s degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country, such as Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
- Supplementary Application and Financial Statement for International Students must be submitted to the UO Office of Admissions by international applicants
- Application for Graduate Award, if applying for graduate employment (e.g., a graduate teaching fellowship)
The application deadline is January 5 for admission the following fall term. Application information and materials are available online and from the Asian studies office.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Students pursuing an MA in Asian studies must complete 48 credits of graduate study, including at least 44 in Asia-related courses, and a final project. Graduate credit for language study may only be earned for work beyond the second-year level.
600-Level Courses. The Graduate School requires that at least 9 credits in courses numbered 600–699 must be taken in residence.
Graded Courses. 24 of the total credits required must be earned at the University of Oregon for a letter grade. A minimum of 36 credits of course work and a minimum of 9 credits of Thesis (ASIA 503) is required. Credit for the thesis is given pass/no pass. In the final term, master's students must register for at least 3 credits, at least 1 of which must be in Thesis (ASIA 503).
Final Project Options.
Two Seminar Papers Option. Students choosing this option submit two Asia-related papers written for graduate seminars or colloquiums and pass an examination based on the submitted papers in their final term. The examination committee will include two members of the Asian studies faculty proposed by the student and approved by the director.
Thesis Option. Students choosing this option are required to take a a minimum of 9 credits of Thesis (ASIA 503) as part of the 48 credits required for the degree. Credit for the thesis is given a grade of pass/no pass at the completion of the thesis. Students form a two-member thesis committee in their second or third term. Thesis writers are expected to defend their theses in the second year. In the final term, master's students must register for at least 3 credits, at least 1 of which must be in Thesis (ASIA 503).
In some circumstances, and in consultation with advisors, students may petition the director to extend the defense date of their thesis or seminar paper for up to but no more than two academic terms.
Continuous Enrollment and On-Leave Status. Master's students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment for a minimum of 3 credits each term until all degree requirements have been completed, unless on-leave status has been approved.
Minimum GPA. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) in all graduate courses taken with a graded option.
Time Limit. All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within a seven-year time period.
Master of Arts: Area Studies Track (Using the Two Seminar Papers Option as an Example)
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| ASIA 611 | Perspectives on Asian Studies: [Topic] | 1 |
| ASIA 612 | Theory and Methodology in Asian Studies: [Topic] | 3 |
| 8 |
| 8 |
| 8 |
| 8 |
| 1 | 8 |
| ASIA 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] (only if needed to complete credit requirement) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 48 |
Master of Arts: Disciplinary Track (Using the Thesis Option as an Example)
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 16 |
| 12 |
| 1 | 8 |
| ASIA 503 | Thesis | 9 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 48 |
Academic courses are to be mutually agreed upon by an academic advisor and the program director. A list of Asia-related courses approved for inclusion in the Asian studies graduate curriculum is available from the program coordinator.
Students should also review the Graduate School’s regulations for information on the university’s general master of arts degree requirements.
Second Master’s Degree
Students enrolled in graduate programs offered by other departments may earn a second master’s degree in Asian studies. Besides satisfying the degree requirements set by the other departments, such students must complete the following:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 32 |
| ASIA 611 | Perspectives on Asian Studies: [Topic] | 1 |
| ASIA 612 | Theory and Methodology in Asian Studies: [Topic] | 3 |
| |
| 1 | |
| Total Credits | 36 |
The requirements for both the Asian studies and the departmental degree programs must be completed at the same time. A student completing this option is granted two master’s degrees, one in Asian studies and another in the departmental discipline.
Graduate Specialization in Asian Studies
The 16-credit graduate specialization in Asian studies is open to all UO graduate students except for MA students in the Asian Studies Program. This specialization enhances student education and future marketability in careers with nongovernmental or international organizations, the media, government service, education, or the academe.
Overview
In collaboration with faculty members, students achieve mastery in Asian studies by
- analyzing and critiquing primary and secondary sources related to Asia
- developing multiple disciplinary perspectives, sources, methods, and modes of analyses used in the study of Asia
- identifying major themes in Asian history, particularly historical continuities and critical junctures
- developing an advanced understanding of Asia’s physical and political geography
- studying major topical issues relevant to modern Asia, which may include economic development, tropical diseases, environmental change, and globalization
- honing skills to critically analyze modern debates about Asia
Specialization Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| ASIA 611 | Perspectives on Asian Studies: [Topic] | 1 |
| ASIA 612 | Theory and Methodology in Asian Studies: [Topic] | 3 |
| 1 | 12 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
To apply for the graduate specialization, fill out the Graduate School form.
The Graduate School has general information about graduate specializations campus-wide.
