A woman, embodying the essence of Japanese Studies, demonstrates a traditional tea-making process to a seated group in a room adorned with colorful Japanese calligraphy on the walls.

Major/Minor Asian Studies

Explore

From ancient art to anime, you’ll study the languages, literature, history and culture of Asia, the most populous continent on earth. Randolph-Macon’s Asian studies department is a rarity in the mid-Atlantic region, offering both Chinese and Japanese instruction, and an array of interdisciplinary courses on Asia. Study abroad at one of three sister institutions in Kyoto, Tokyo and Miyagi and experience amazing exchange opportunities linked to Randolph-Macon’s unique partnerships in Japan. You’ll graduate with a solid foundation for future careers in education, international relations, politics, business and government, and an appreciation for the universal concepts that are the heart of a liberal arts education.  

asian Studies
up close In and Beyond the Classroom

A woman wearing a kimono and holding a parasol

Global education

More than 200 Asian studies students have participated in Randolph-Macon’s robust study abroad program and taken travel courses to further their knowledge and understanding of Asia. The college boasts three educational university partners in Japan including Kansai Gaidai University (Osaka); Rikkyo University (Tokyo); and Ishinomaki Senshu University (Miyagi) where students immerse themselves in the culture and character of modern Japan for a semester or year. Or, in the J-term travel course, Japan Past and Present (JAPN 221), Asian studies students get a first-hand look as they journey to the country to explore Japan’s rich history and current pop culture, where the ancient and the ultra-modern exist side-by-side in Kyoto and Tokyo. 

study abroad

advising and mentorship

Randolph-Macon Asian studies faculty take pride in the breadth and depth of an Asian studies program that stands out among small liberal arts colleges. In small classes, and also as faculty advisors, they take the time to get to know you and often help guide your study of both Asian Studies and other career fields – it’s very common for Asian Studies students to double major! Faculty are also important career advisors as well, connecting students with opportunities that enhance and extend their learning. A point of pride: numerous alumni have been placed in the prestigious JET program, teaching English in Japan. 

ASIAN STUDIES FACULTY

 

high-impact internships

All Asian studies majors are encouraged to expand their learning through direct, real-world experiences. Internships provide exciting opportunities for learning right in your backyard. RMC students recently interned at:

  • Asian American Society of Virginia
  • Virginia Governor’s Academy in Japanese
  • Taiwan Experience Education Program
Internships at Rmc

Hands-on Learning

RMC faculty bring the tastes, sights, and sounds of Asia to the classroom and the campus, with the help of scholars and experts from around the world. With cooking demonstrations, music performances, movie screenings and more, students have the critical chance to experience the traditions of Asia as part of their learning, and more deeply explore both historical and modern applications.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Students cooking dumplings in Prof. Cai's "Taste of China" class
Students cooking dumplings in Prof. Yixuan Cai’s “Taste of China” class
  • 20%
    of RMC faculty have visited Asia, thanks to partnerships
  • 1987
    Inaugural J. Earl Moreland Lecture on Asia at RMC
  • 15%
    of RMC students enrolled in Asian studies, Chinese studies, or Japanese studies courses (Fall 2024)
A group of people in yellow traditional outfits and tabi socks perform a dance on a brick-paved area, with spectators and various structures in the background.

asian Studies
in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss

(A very small sample)

ASTU 270

East Asian Visual Culture

Learn the art history and visual discourses in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea by exploring ancient aesthetics, modern fashions, popular visual media, war and propaganda, sports, and avant-garde movements. This wide-ranging course travels through time and space, and also across academic disciplines, to sample the various ways we see East Asia.



CHIN 281

ARCHAEOLOGY OF CHINA

Learn about major archaeological breakthroughs that help reveal early China and explore 20th century discoveries within their various historical contexts. Learn to observe and analyze the material objects in academic language and identify their cultural significance. By examining various artifacts from 5000 B.C. to the 19th century, such as oracle bones, ritual bronzeware, Buddhist murals, and enameled porcelain, this course will guide you through a tangible past that is discovered by, but also strongly influences, modern China.

HONR 181

CUISINE IN JAPANESE CULTURE

This course is a social, cultural, and historical introduction to Japanese cuisine, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO in 2013. Topics covered broadly include Kaiseki (traditional multi-course dinner), tea ceremony, and Bento (Japanese lunch box) culture, among others, and of course, cooking and eating is a major component. Evaluation will be determined on the basis of interactive discussions, quizzes, and projects.


all Asian Studies Courses

Opportunities Worth Grabbing

Popular activities and programs among Asian studies majors
woman in yellow shirt speaking in front of screen

Suzume Odori Dancing Troupe

Started in 2022, this troupe practices a traditional style of Japanese festival dance.

Japanese National Honors Society

J. Earl Moreland Lecture on Asia

A staple at RMC since 1987, this yearly lecture brings distinguished scholars and prominent professionals to campus for class visits and a public lecture.

learn more

From Here To What you can do with an Asian Studies degree from RMC

REECE COETZEE ’22

JET Program
Kumamoto, Japan

JOSEPH CAMANO ’21

Law Clerk
Sidley Austin

ADRIAN LORE ’18

Operations Coordinator
University of Richmond

KRISTIE THROCKMORTON ’24

Teaching English in Korea

Elizabeth Majewski ’20

Learner Mentor
Richard Bland College

Elizabeth Majewski '20 headshot

“The things that I learned at RMC, inside, but mainly outside the classroom I utilized in my master’s program and continue to call upon in my career. Key skills such as how to communicate with professors and manage my time transfer readily from pursuing further education after Randolph-Macon and in the workforce. My memories and the skills I was taught to polish at RMC are something that I recall every day.”

buzzworthy The Latest From RMC Asian Studies

Arts Management Asian Studies Career Preparation

Far-Flung Semester and Year Abroad Experiences Immerse Students in International Cultures

From East Asia to Spain, RMC students spending a semester or year abroad gain life-changing experiences.

Two women in traditional korean dress walking through an archway.
Asian Studies

Leading Author on World Cinema to Deliver J. Earl Moreland Lecture on Asia

Randolph-Macon College’s Asian Studies Department will host Dr. Gina Marchetti, noted cinema expert and chair of the department of humanities and media…

Dr Gina Michaels posing with an RMC Faculty Member and an RMC student

Kakehashi Project Brings RMC Students and Alumni on Pandemic-Delayed Trip to Japan

The email took Randolph-Macon professor Lauren Bell by surprise, but in the best way. As Japan reopened its borders to…

RMC students and alumni pose with students from Rikkyo University on the Kakehashi Project trip to Japan

More to explore 55+ areas of study to discover at RMC

Major/Minor

History
RMC students standing in Agecroft Hall
Minor

Japanese Studies
A group of people in traditional clothing perform a coordinated dance with instruments and banners on a brick walkway, capturing the essence of Japanese Studies.
Area of Study

Chinese Studies
A picture of a Forbidden City in Beijing, China
All areas of study

Get Ready Discover Asian Studies at RMC.

Take the first step toward your Asian Studies Degree by contacting us.
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