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).

Major Requirements

Nine courses are required for the major, of which four courses must be at the 300 or 400 level.

The introductory course may count toward the five courses focused on a single region of Asia. Three other courses should be chosen from the list of Governed Electives (below) and may address any region of Asia. Other courses 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.

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. Normally, the nine courses will include courses from at least two of these three divisions: arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics.

Students completing two majors (i.e. double-majors) may only count two courses toward both of those majors.

Major credit will be awarded for no more than two courses taken at another institution.

Introductory Course

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

• 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). 

Electives

Five courses to be drawn from the list of electives, which must focus on one of the following regions:

• China,
• Japan,
• South and Southeast Asia, or 
• Comparative and Transregional

Under the Comparative and Transregional category, students may construct, in close consultation with an adviser, a program of five courses that compares or transcends particular regions/countries (including courses that focus on particular social groups such Asian American and Asian diaspora).

Governed Electives 

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.