Asian Studies, BS

Asian Studies is divided into two concentrations:

• East Asian Studies
• Southeast Asian Studies

Concentration in East Asian Studies

The Asian studies major with an East Asian studies concentration encompasses China, Japan, and Korea—Pacific Rim nations characterized by rich cultural heritages, critical geopolitical positions and rapidly expanding economies. East Asia plays a central role in world politics and the global economy, and the importance of this region will increase in the 21st century.This concentration is for undergraduates who are interested in a wide range of careers (business, public service, law, teaching, research, etc.) and who seek a focused yet multidisciplinary education with solid grounding in East Asian language and civilization. Students interested in the major should begin language study as early as possible.

Concentration in Southeast Asian Studies

The  Asian studies major with a Southeast Asian concentration is an undergraduate major in the College of Letters & Science, providing a comprehensive foundation in Southeast Asian language and area studies. It includes Burma (Myanmar), Brunei, Cambodia (Kampuchea), East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Students are required to take a minimum of four semesters of a Southeast Asian language, and complete a minimum of thirty credits of Southeast Asian area studies coursework. The area studies courses must be taken in at least two academic disciplines, including courses in Southeast Asian humanities and social sciences. Students may opt to prepare a 6-credit senior thesis.