Asian Studies Major

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Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

articulate fundamental issues and themes for the study and understanding of Asian cultures and societies
analyze both a specific region of Asia and an Asia-related topic using interdisciplinary perspectives and methods, including information in either Chinese, Japanese, or Tagalog
demonstrate understanding of how topics related to social justice such as human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical consideration impact both people and policy within Asian societies

Major Requirements (40 Units)

All courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C or better.

Gateway Courses

Students are advised to take gateway courses at the very beginning of their degree program because these courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the two geographical areas (East Asia and South Asia) covered by the major. These gateway courses may “double-count” to meet the University’s Core requirements.

1 in History, 1 in Philosophy or Religious Studies, and 1 in Politics

History Gateway Courses (4 units)

Philosophy or Religious Studies Gateway Courses (4 units)

Politics Gateway Courses (4 units)

Upper Division History Elective (4 Units)

Complete 4 units in HIST 300:499

Regional Breadth (4 Units)

From the courses chosen as electives, at least one course must be in an area outside the student’s primary focus. For example, if the primary area focus is Japan, the Regional Breadth course should deal with similar themes in China or South Asia.

Capstone Project (4 Units)

The Asian Studies major is completed through the Capstone Project in the final year of the major. Students will converge on the study of selected issues and topics, to be determined by the professor (or professors) in charge. Topics and themes providing interdisciplinary and inter-regional breadth for all majors in Asian Studies include the following:

Cinema of India/China/Japan/SE Asia
Migration and Immigration
The Changing Family in Asia
Contemporary Asian Writers
Inter-Asian Political Relations
Asian Popular Culture
Asian Ways of Dying, Death, and Salvation
Rural-urban Migrations
Environmental Issues
Technological Change in Asia

Electives (16 units)

Four courses, chosen in consultation with an adviser, will help students focus on and develop intermediate expertise in particular regions, countries, or topics. The major encourages a multi-disciplinary approach to the student’s specific area of interest.

Sample Curriculum

1st year

2nd Year

Intermediate Language Study: Chinese or Japanese
POLS 113 - Introduction to International Politics

3rd Year

JAPN 310 - Zen & Art Japanese Calligraphy
MS 409 - International/Global Media
CHIN 355 - Chinese Lit in Translation
JAPN 355 - Japanese Lit/Translation
Summer intensive, full semester, or academic year abroad

4th Year

HIST 386 - History of US-China Rel
Internship (2-4)
Capstone Project (2-4)