Asian Studies Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Asian studies offers students a flexible, interdisciplinary framework to explore Asia broadly, allowing students to tailor their studies across regions and topics.

Major Requirements

Nine courses are required for the major:

  •  
  • Eight electives from the Governed Electives list below, with the following stipulations:
    • at least three courses must be at the 300- or 400-level
    • no more than three language courses

Governed Electives

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

Asian studies majors who have GPAs of 3.30 or better in the major and an overall GPA of 3.00 are encouraged to pursue honors study. A candidate for high honors must have a GPA of 3.70 in the major and an overall GPA of 3.00. Each eligible student may choose to undertake a project, the form of which — a written research paper, an exhibition, a performance — is decided in consultation with the student's honors adviser. To qualify for honors, the project must be judged by a committee of two faculty members to be of at least A quality. For high honors the project must be judged by three faculty members from at least two different departments, and in addition the candidate must pass with distinction an oral examination conducted by the three-member committee. Often, the project for honors or high honors is begun in a study group, or during the junior year or fall semester of the senior year, in any 300- or 400-level course or any independent study course. The project is continued through the spring term in .

Contact the program director for more specific guidelines.

Asian Studies Program

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