Asian Studies Major

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2025-26.

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).

Students are required to specify their subregion emphasis during the declaration process. The four possible emphases are:

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

Under the Comparative and Transregional category, students, in close consultation with an adviser, may design a program of five courses that compare or transcend specific regions or countries. This may include courses focusing on particular social groups, such as Asian Americans or the Asian diaspora.

Major Requirements

Nine courses are required for the major:

  • One introductory course
  • Eight electives, with the following stipulations:
    • Five courses must focus on the region of the declared emphasis
    • Electives must span at least two of these three divisions: arts and humanities; social sciences; natural sciences and mathematics
    • Four of the eight electives must be at the 300- or 400-level

Additional Stipulations:

  • The introductory course may count toward the five courses focused on a single region of Asia if it's applicable to the declared emphasis

  • 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.

Introductory Course

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ASIC in the course offerings.

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

Governed Electives

Electives come from the list of Governed Electives below. Occassionally, courses not listed in the Governed Electives list 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.

 

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  program page.

Asian Studies Program

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.