The Asian Studies major provides an interdisciplinary overview of the history, economics, politics, culture, and languages of the Asian region, including India, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. It examines that region's rich past and its continuing contributions to the global community. The curriculum emphasizes an understanding of Asia based on both expanded cultural awareness and scholarly analysis in multiple disciplines. Students are provided with background knowledge that both enriches their appreciation of the area and prepares them for a range of careers that require a broad knowledge of the region and accurate understanding of the culture.

The student who graduates with a Major in Asian Studies will be able to

• Discuss and compare aspects of Asian social, political, economic, historical, and cultural structures and their local and global influences.



• Demonstrate understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to critical issues in Asian studies.



• Examine ethical and social responsibility issues within an Asian context.



• Demonstrate intermediate-level competence in an Asian language.

A degree with a major in Asian Studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major (indicated by Δ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in Asian studies includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (9 credits): ASTD 150 and 160, and PHIL 307
• Required Asian language sequence (9 credits): Either JAPN 111, 112, and 114; KORN 111, 112, and 114; or CHIN 111, 112, and 114
• Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from ANTH 417, ECON 380 and 484, PHIL 348; and any upper-level ASTD, JAPN, KORN, Asian HIST, and Asian GVPT courses
• Required capstone course (3 credits): ASTD 485

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Asian Studies. Since some recommended courses fill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing requirement

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to satisfy the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

Δ ASTD 150 Introduction to Asian Studies I (3)

Δ JAPN 111 Elementary Japanese I (3)
or other first Asian language course

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

Δ ASTD 160 Introduction to Asian Studies II (3)

ANTH 102 Introduction to Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology (3)
or other course to satisfy the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement

HIST 141 Western Civilization I (3)
or HIST 142 Western Civilization II
or other ARTH or HIST course(s) to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from the other humanities course)

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to satisfy the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing or speech requirement

Δ JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II (3)
or other second Asian language course

Δ PHIL 307 Asian Philosophy (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391 Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement

Δ ASTD 309 Business in Asia (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ JAPN 114 Elementary Japanese III (3)
or other third Asian language course

Δ ASTD 333 Japanese Life and Culture I (3)
or ASTD 353 Korean Life and Culture
or other supplemental major course

Δ ASTD 397 Anthropology of Asian Religions (3)
or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

Δ ASTD 485 Great Issues in Asian Studies (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)

Total credits for BA in Asian Studies: 120