Asian Studies: Major

A major in Asian Studies consists of 31 hours (11 courses), as follows: ASTU 290 (3 hours); completion of an Asian language at the intermediate level (6 hours); three courses from Area Studies - Group I (9 hours); three courses from Area Studies - Group II (9 hours); one experiential course (3 hours); and the capstone ASTU 401 (1 hour). See below for details.

Introduction to Asia: ASTU 290, Introduction to Asia (3 credits), should be taken as early as possible in a student’s course of study. This course serves as an introduction to Asian Studies for prospective majors/minors and is intended to develop general knowledge of the Asian region. Instruction will also emphasize writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills as they pertain to issues in Asian Studies.

Language Proficiency: Knowledge of an Asian language at the intermediate level, defined as successful completion of CHIN 212 or JAPN 212, is required. CHIN 211-212 and JAPN 211-212 may count towards the 31 hours. Students whose level of proficiency places them out of one or both intermediate language classes will select alternate courses with the permission of the Director to reach the required 31 hours.

Experiential Course: All ASTU majors must complete one experiential course. It is strongly preferred, but not required, that this requirement be met through study abroad. J-term travel courses to Asia (JAPN 221, CHIN 221), or any course completed for transfer credit during a semester abroad in Asia, may be used. ASTU 450 (Internship) may be substituted in certain circumstances.

For a list of countries offering study abroad programs at R-MC, click here.

Area Studies: Six elective courses will be chosen from the following list; a minimum of three courses must come from each of Groups I and II. Courses from Group I will ground majors in the historical and political background of the region, while courses from Group II will educate students in the arts, literature, film, and religions of Asia.

ASTU 450 Internship
CHIN 221 Chinese History & Society (J-Term / Travel)
HIST/JAPN 221 Tokyo Past & Present (J-Term / Travel)
HIST 391 Ancient, Mughal and British India
HIST 392 Modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
HIST 394 Making of Modern Japan
HIST 396 Modern China, 1800-1935
HIST 397 Modern China, 1935-Present
PSCI 335 The Political System of China

Group II - Culture and Humanities

ARTH 228 Oriental Art
FILM 292 Japanese Film: Cinema of Akira Kurosawa
FLET 231 Chinese Literature
FLET 232 Japanese Literature
JAPN 220 Japanese Culture
JAPN 381 Special Topics
PHIL 220 Philosophy East and West
PHIL 343 Confucian Tradition
RELS 221 World Religions: Indian, Buddhist, Chinese, and Japanese
RELS 224 Hinduism
RELS 225 Buddhism

Capstone: All ASTU majors must take ASTU 401, Capstone (one credit). Taken during the Fall, J-Term, or Spring semester of a student’s senior year, the capstone is a culminating research project completed either in conjunction with a regularly scheduled course or as an independent project supervised by a faculty advisor. The capstone is intended to demonstrate that majors have acquired 1) a requisite corpus of knowledge about the Asian region; and 2) the necessary writing, speaking, and critical skills for a career in a field related to Asian Studies. Significant extracurricular research projects may be considered for ASTU 401 credit with permission of Chair.

THE ASIAN STUDIES MINOR

The Asian Studies minor consists of 15 credit hours drawn from the list of courses outlined above; a minor must include at least two courses from Group I. Although not a requirement of the minor, the Asian Studies Department recommends that the collegiate language requirement be satisfied in an Asian language (Chinese or Japanese). ASTU 290 is also recommended, but not required, for the minor; it may be counted towards Group I.