Program Overview

Department of Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages

The Department of Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages offers a range of programs for undergraduate students.

Undergraduate Programs

• About the Department: The department provides an ASCL Statement.
• Major: The department offers a major in Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages.
• Minor: A minor is also available for students who wish to pursue a secondary field of study.
• Language Study: Students can engage in language study, exploring the languages of Asia.
• Honors Program: An honors program is available for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
• Course Descriptions:
  • Introductory Courses: The department offers introductory courses to provide a foundation in Asian studies.
  • Language Sequences: Language sequences are available to help students develop proficiency in Asian languages.
  • Discipline Specific Courses: Courses are offered in specific disciplines, such as history, literature, and culture.
  • Interdisciplinary, Interregional, Transnational & Diasporal Courses: The department also offers courses that take an interdisciplinary approach, exploring topics across regions and disciplines.
  • Advanced Seminars, Independent Research & Honors Thesis: Advanced students can participate in seminars, conduct independent research, and complete an honors thesis.
• Course Schedule: A course schedule is available for students to plan their academic program.

Foreign Study Programs

• Foreign Study Programs: The department offers several foreign study programs, including:
  • Chinese LSA+
  • Japanese LSA+
  • Vietnam Program: The Vietnam Program is a multidisciplinary foreign study program that explores development in contemporary Vietnam. Students will study the remarkable social, economic, and environmental changes that have transformed Vietnam since the 1980s. The program is based in Ho Chi Minh City, with field trips to the Mekong Delta and other sites in southern Vietnam.
• Exchange Programs:
  • Kanda Exchange Program
  • Keio Exchange Program
  • Waseda Exchange Program
  • Yonsei Exchange Program

Vietnam Program

Basic Information

The Vietnam Program is offered in a "Fall term +" format during fall 2026. Participating students will enroll in two courses: ASCL 70.22, a one-credit course taken in Hanover during September-November, and ASCL 59.04, a one-credit, three-week intensive course that takes place in Vietnam during the December 2026 winterim. Both courses will count as fall term courses.

Program Overview

The Vietnam Program is a key component of Dartmouth's partnership with Fulbright University Vietnam. During the program, teams of Dartmouth and Fulbright students will collaborate to design and execute a research project on some aspect of development in Vietnam. These projects will include field research conducted in Vietnam in December.

Financing Your Program

• Fall Term+ Tuition and Fees: The tuition and fees paid to the college for the fall term will include the winterim course in Vietnam. There will be additional room and board costs billed to the student account associated with the Vietnam portion of the program.
• Financial Aid: The College endeavors to adjust its normal financial aid awards for students already receiving aid. Tuition and expected family contribution for Dartmouth's off-campus programs are the same as for an on-campus term. Assistance is available to meet extra costs associated with off-campus programs, including airfare. Half of any extra cost is met with additional Dartmouth scholarship; loan assistance is offered for the other half. Loan assistance is also offered to replace the employment that would normally be included in an on-campus term.

Other Departments and Programs

• African and African American Studies
• Anthropology
• Art History
• Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages Program
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Cognitive Science
• Comparative Literature
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• East European, Eurasian, and Russian Studies
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering Sciences
• English
• Environmental Studies
• Film and Media Studies
• French and Italian
• Geography
• German Studies
• Government
• History
• Humanities 1 & 2
• Jewish Studies
• Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Studies
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Medieval and Renaissance Studies
• Music
• Native American Studies
• Philosophy
• Physics and Astronomy
• Psychological and Brain Sciences
• Quantitative Social Science
• Religion
• Sociology
• Spanish and Portuguese
• Speech at Dartmouth
• Studio Art
• Theater
• Women’s and Gender Studies
• Writing Program

Inclusivity

Dartmouth is committed to academic excellence and encourages the open exchange of ideas within a culture of mutual respect. People with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives make the Dartmouth community diverse, which enhances academic excellence.