2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Oct 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Asian Studies Major


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Our programs advance understanding of the increasingly powerful countries of Asia by focusing not only on the structures of society - its histories, laws, economies, and governments - but also on the religious, philosophical, artistic, and intellectual foundations for these structures.

We emphasize the relationship between natural and man-made environments, as well as the USF’s commitment to social justice, ethics, and human rights.

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 (16 units)


Students take one Gateway course from each of the following areas at the very beginning of their degree program. These gateway courses may “double-count” to meet other University requirements. Two of these gateway courses must be completed before taking ANST 300.

Asian Studies Proseminar (4 units)


This course is required for all majors.

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.

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. The requirement is typically satisfied by ANST 398. 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

Language Study


The first three semesters of language study fulfill the language requirement for the College of Arts and Sciences and thus are not included in the total number of units required for the Asian Studies major. Language classes beyond the third semester may count toward the major as electives upon consultation with the program director.

Degree Planner


First-Year


Fall Units
Asian Language - Course 1 4
Art or Literature Gateway Course: CHIN 195 - FYS: First-Year Seminar  or JAPN 195 - FYS: First-Year Seminar   4
Core: Rhetoric and Composition 4
Core - A1: Public Speaking 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Asian Language - Course 2 4
HIST 130 - East Asian Civilizations  or HIST 135 - Indian Civilizations   4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
Asian Language - Course 3 4
Philosophy/Religious Studies Gateway: PHIL 220 - Asian Philosophy  or THRS 365 - Religion and Globalization   4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Politics Gateway: POLS 369 - Asia Advocacy/Activism   4
Elective 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


Fall Units
Asian Studies Proseminar: ANST 300 - Asia: Pasts & Futures   4
Elective 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Elective 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
Elective 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Capstone Seminar 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Core/Minor/Second Major 4
Total Semester Units 16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information. 

*One advantage of pursuing an Asian Studies major is that many of our gateway courses and electives fulfill the University’s core requirements. This opens up exciting opportunities for double majors and minors. Moreover, we recognize credits earned while studying abroad (approval required) in Asia through USF approved programs. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to tailor the best schedule for their degree objectives, as there are various pathways to complete the major.

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