Program Overview

Introduction to Asian Studies

The Asian region, broadly defined to include East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, is characterized by a rich variety of languages, cultures, and literatures, with a long history of civilization and continually growing importance in the contemporary global economy.

Program Overview

The concentration in Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on Asia, based on a strong foundation of language, literature, and cultural studies. Students choose either Chinese (Mandarin) or Japanese and take a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, including 3 years of study of the target language and elective East Asian literature and culture courses offered by the faculty.

Degree Requirements

The program consists of 123 total degree hours, combining 36 credit hours of Asian Studies coursework with College of Arts & Sciences and University requirements.

Coursework

• Language courses:
  • Chinese: FLC 1123 Chinese II, FLC 2143 Chinese IV, FLC 3163 Chinese VI, FLC 4000 Advanced Chinese Literacy
  • Japanese: FLJ 1123 Japanese II, FLJ 2143 Japanese IV, FLJ 3163 Japanese VI
• Literature/Culture courses:
  • FLJ 4403 Japanese Popular Culture

Clubs and Organizations

• Japanese Club
• Chinese Club
• Korean Popular Culture Club

Career Opportunities

Students majoring in Asian Studies can pursue careers in a wide range of professional fields, including public service, journalism, international trade and manufacturing, information technology, education, media, law, and government. The program provides a strong foundation in one of the East Asian languages and literatures, an understanding of the Asian region from multidisciplinary perspectives, and critical perspectives toward Asian literature, culture, and society.