Program Overview

Asian Studies Program

The Asian Studies Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the languages, histories, economies, and cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. As home to approximately 60 percent of the world's population, Asia-Pacific nations have emerged as major economic powers while their populations assert their own cultural identities. In our globalized economy, there's a growing demand for people skilled in intercultural communications.

Programs of Study

Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies

Asian studies offers more courses in Asian culture and language than any other university in Manitoba. Collaboration with other UM departments allows students to combine studies in a wide range of disciplines with specialized Asian language and culture studies.

• Program details
• Admission requirements
• Academic Calendar

Course Offerings

The course listing is a preliminary list of undergraduate courses per term that includes the course start and end date.

Student Resources and Opportunities

Earn University Credit for Travel Studies Abroad

Choose from exchange programs, travel study courses, or field study courses that provide hands-on experience while allowing time to travel, explore, and work abroad. Exchange destinations include Japan, China, and Korea.

Study at a Partner Institution in Asia

Each year, UM students study abroad through the university's student exchange agreements. Students typically spend one semester or one academic year abroad, taking a combination of language and culture courses. These study-abroad programs are based on reciprocal tuition agreements, where students pay tuition fees to their home university while studying at the partner university.

Scholarships for Exchange Students

• All Arts students taking part in an exchange program are eligible for the Dean of Arts International Student Exchange Travel Award.
• Exchange participants are chosen from all faculties. Students are not required to have studied the Japanese, Chinese, or Korean language to participate.

Explore Your Career Options in Asian Studies

Use this guide to map out your career pathway from the start of your academic journey. Get the information you need for academic planning and connect with experiences to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes that employers are seeking.

Language Labs

As in all language departments, students have access to the Faculty of Arts Language Centre with language laboratories that are well-stocked with a variety of recorded materials, language practice software, and programs designed specifically for certain courses that contain a lab component. Language tutors are also available.

Language Centre Resources

Students are encouraged to check out this list of resources to help with language learning. From dictionaries to movies, search engines, and news outlets, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in another language.

• Chinese resources

• Japanese resources

Manitoba Japanese Speech Contest

Students may enter this annual speech contest where three to five-minute memorized speeches are presented in Japanese in introductory, intermediate, and advanced categories. The contest is open to students who are presently studying Japanese as a foreign language and are of a nationality other than Japanese.

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme is a Japanese government-sponsored exchange programme that aims to improve foreign language teaching in schools and to promote international understanding. The JET Programme offers highly qualified university graduates opportunities to work as either Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) in elementary and secondary schools or Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) in selected local government offices in Japan.

Chinese Language Partner Program

The Chinese Language Partner Program promotes language study for students of both the English and Chinese language. Through the program, native speakers of Chinese help Chinese language students with language learning. In exchange, Chinese language students help students and scholars from China with English.

Community and Outreach

The Asian Studies Centre strives to be involved in the educational and cultural activities of the Asian communities in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Some of our current activities and connections include:

• Serving as consultants and resource providers for the three major Winnipeg Chinese schools.
• Frequent involvement with the activities of the Manitoba Japanese Canadian Cultural Community Centre.
• Maintaining close contact with the embassies and consulates of Asian governments.
• Providing assistance to students who wish to explore study opportunities in Asia.

On January 23, 2020, Dr. William Lee was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette—a national decoration presented by the Government of Japan in the name of the Emperor to individuals that have made significant contributions with respect to the promotion of and exchange of friendship between nations.