last modified:2009-05-08 11:55:19
Undergraduate Program
| Major/Minor Requirements | Sample Course Guide | Approved Courses |
Why Major in Asian Studies?
The Asian Studies Major is designed to provide students with language and cultural competence in a region of Asia: China, Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Southeast Asia that can become the foundation for careers in public affairs, public service, business, and many other fields. Students are required to attain a minimum of second year proficiency in an Asian language and are strongly encouraged to take advanced levels of the language as electives. We offer courses in over 20 departments including Political Science, Economics, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Languages and Literature, Philosophy, Communication, Architecture, Art History, Film Studies, Theater, Public Health, and Management. The course list includes those that cover the history, politics, economics, literature, art and culture of Asian countries and of Asian diaspora communities in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Many Asian Studies classes fulfill the University’s general education requirements as well.
Students are strongly encouraged to combine the Asian Studies Major with a major in a field that provides professional training, like politics, economics, business, health, engineering, education, social work, environmental studies, or international relations so that upon graduation they have acquired a foundation of career-oriented skills and a high degree of the global competency required to excel in today's economy.
Study abroad is an important step in achieving global competency and students are strongly encouraged to incorporate study abroad or international internship credits into their major.