School of Undergraduate Studies

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Asian Studies

Major in Asian Studies

The Asian/Pacific region’s rich past and continuing contributions have had a profound effect on the global community. Develop your cultural awareness with a major in Asian studies.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in Asian studies will be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural dimensions of Asia.
Think critically and perform research in Asian studies.
Demonstrate effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, within the sphere of Asian economic, political, cultural, and historical developments.
Demonstrate an understanding of Asian social, political, and economic structures and their local and global influences.
Demonstrate fluency in technology appropriate for research, study, and communication in relation to Asian studies.
Demonstrate competence in an Asian language.
Demonstrate a knowledge of ethical and social responsibility issues within an Asian context.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in Asian studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; 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).

Course Requirements for the Asian Studies Major

The Asian studies major and minor are not available at all locations. Students should consult an advisor before selecting this program.

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, JAPN 112, and JAPN 114 or KORN 111, KORN 112, and KORN 114
Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from ANTH 417; ECON 380 and 484; HUMN 312 and 350 or 348 and 349; and any upper-level ASTD,
JAPN, KORN, Asian HIST, and Asian GVPT courses
Required capstone course (3 credits): ASTD 485

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BA in Asian studies. Since some recommended courses fulfill 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.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
(strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 105 Mathematics: Contemporary Topics and Applications (3)
or MATH 106 Finite Mathematics 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, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement.
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill 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 fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
‡ ASTD 150 Introduction to Asian Studies I (3)
‡ JAPN 111 Elementary Japanese I (3)
or KORN 111 Elementary Korean I

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

‡ ASTD 160 Introduction to Asian Studies II (3)
ANTH 102 Introduction to Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology (3 )
or other course to fulfill 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 fulfill 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 to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement
‡ JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II (3)
or KORN 112 Elementary Korean II (second Asian language course for the major)
‡ PHIL 307 Asian Philosophy (3)

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

WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement
‡ ASTD 309 Business in Asia (3)
or other supplemental major course
‡ JAPN 114 Elementary Japanese III (3)
(third Asian language course for the major)
‡ ASTD 333 Japanese Life and Culture I (3)
or ASTD 353 Korean Life and Culture or other supplemental major course
‡ ASTD 397 Anthropology of Asian Religions (3)
or other supplemental major course

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

‡ 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) (46)

Total credits for BA in Asian studies: 120