Asian Studies Major

Department of History & Art History; Department of Philosophy

Program Coordinator: Qin Fang, Ph.D.

Description

The Program in Asian Studies provides students with a comprehensive, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary examination of the history, society, arts, cultural traditions, and contemporary significance of the nations and peoples of Asia, especially India, China, and Japan. In addition to language study (Mandarin Chinese), the program offers a broad range of courses within a variety of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Students are invited to pursue the major, the minor, or individual courses in any of the participating departments. Interested students should consult with the Program Coordinator.

Requirements

Core (8 credits):

Choose Track One or Track Two (32 credits):

Track One:

Three language courses:
CHI 1101 - Elementary Chinese I
CHI 1102 - Elementary Chinese II
CHI 2211 - Intermediate Chinese I
SELECT five (5) courses from the Asian Studies Major Electives list, from at least two different disciplines.
ONE of the five courses must be at the 3000 level.

Track Two:

SELECT eight (8) courses from the Asian Studies Major Electives list, from at least three different disciplines.
TWO of the eight courses must be at the 3000 level.

Capstone (4 credits):

AST 4492 - Senior Capstone in Asian Studies

Asian Studies Major Electives

ECO 3304 - International Economics
ECO 3326 - Economic Development
FYS 1180 - Understanding China
FYS 1233 - Water, Food & Environment in China
HIS 1122 - Rice, Ramen and General Tso Chicken
HIS 1185 - America and the Vietnam War
HIS 1231 - Traditional East Asia
HIS 1232 - Modern East Asia
HIS 2109 - British Empire and World
HIS 2237 - Immortals, Ancestors & Demons
HIS 2240 - Modern China in Film
HIS 2244 - American Dreams in China
HIS 2269 - Special Topics in History Asia
HIS 2T09 - Food in East Asia
HIS 3331 - Gender and the Family in China
HIS 3332 - China’s Troubled Waters
PHI 3230 - Buddhist Philosophy
PSI 2225 - International Relations of Asia-Pacific
PSI 3320 - Chinese Politics, Law & Environment
Asian art history and other Asian related courses as approved by the program coordinator.

Total Program Hours: 44

Departmental Writing Requirement (4 credits):

The Departmental Writing requirement may be satisfied in either of the following ways:

Completion of the approved Department Writing requirement in any of the participating departments, be it a single course or a program of courses.

Study of Mandarin Language or Study Abroad:

Suggested study of the Mandarin language at CHI 2212 or higher. Students are strongly encouraged to take a semester or more of study in an Asian country through an approved program of study abroad. A list of affiliated programs is available through the International & Off-Campus Programs Office. Students are also encouraged to enroll in any of the various faculty-led January Term programs that involve study and travel in Asia.

Requirements for Departmental Honors

Departmental honors are recognized at graduation and are recorded on the students’ permanent records. To receive departmental honors, students must:

Have a grade point average of 3.50 in all courses taken in the major.
Satisfy any departmental requirements, such as engaging in a seminar or in independent study, submitting an essay, or passing with distinction a comprehensive examination in the major field.
Be recommended by the department.