Asian Studies

What Is Asian Studies ?

Asia is gaining increasing economic and strategic prominence in the world, and Asian countries have rich and fascinating cultures and heritages. Asian studies is an interdisciplinary major that explores the languages, cultures, economics, history, geography and politics of Asian countries. Students often combine an Asian studies degree or certificate with another major field of study. Students may also study abroad in Asia, pursue internships and apply for fellowships. 

Success Factors

Asian studies majors are fluent in one or two Asian languages and have in-depth knowledge about Asia. Their course work prepares them to think critically, communicate effectively, work across cultures and draw upon multiple disciplines in examining issues.

Career Possibilities

American businesses and governmental and nongovernmental organizations are deeply involved in Asia, yet there are not enough American professionals who are knowledgeable about the region. A degree or certificate in Asian studies, especially when combined with another field of study, makes students highly sought in an increasingly global marketplace. In addition to being well-prepared for graduate school, graduates of the program have gone on to pursue careers such as:  

• Teaching in an Asian country
• Working with U.S. firms interested in Asia
• Research and analysis

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

The Asian studies major at the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) requires course work that includes:
1. Language: Intermediate-level competence in an Asian language
AND
2. 54 credit hours in Asian Studies courses, including 42 hours in core courses.

(For language courses, the first 15-credits, generally at the 100-level (e.g. 101-102-103), count toward the college language requirement but not toward the 54 credits required for the Asian Studies Major; all subsequent language credits count toward the 54 credits required for the Asian Studies major).
II. An additional 54 credits of Asian studies courses, including 42 credits in core courses. These 54 credits of course work include nine credits of a capstone senior project and methodology courses; at least 18 credits in humanities and related areas (languages, art history, English, history, philosophy and religion); at least 18 credits in behavioral and social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, planning, environmental science and political science); and nine credits of elective core or non-core courses.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Anthropology
• Art history
• Biological sciences
• Business
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Economics
• English
• Environmental studies
• Geography
• History
• International affairs
• Journalism
• Physics
• Political science
• Sociology
• Women's studies

Minor Details

Minor or Certificate in Asian Studies
The requirements for an undergraduate certificate/minor in Asian studies are 30 credit hours in Asian studies courses, including 24 credits in core courses, of which 12 credits must be in core non-language courses. The following structure of course work is recommended:

• Two introductory courses -- one in geography (from Geog 126, 237) and one in history (from Hist 121, 122, 123).
• At least three credit hours from humanities and related areas (Asian languages, art, English, history, philosophy, religion) and three credit hours from behavioral and social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, planning, political science, sociology). See the listing below for specific courses.
• At least three credits in courses covering East/Southeast Asia and three credits in courses covering South/Southwest Asia.
• At least 15 credits must be 200-level or above.

 Three Steps to an Asian Studies Degree / Certificate

• Fill out and return the Asian studies Student Registration Form (.doc).  This form ensures that students are registered with the Asian studies program and that they receive quarterly e-mails and announcements about courses and activities. The form should be completed in the student’s first or second year (or as soon as possible thereafter).
• Complete the necessary credits of course work for the degree or certificate.
• Upon completing the number of credits, and no later than one quarter before graduation, complete and return the Asian Studies Degree / Certificate Checklist (.doc) to the Asian studies director.

Core Courses: Humanities and Related Areas
(Art History, English, Literature, History, Philosophy, Religion, Languages)

Art History
Survey of East Asian Art  ARTH 140
Asian Art-China ARTH 270
History of Japanese Prints  ARTH 550, 551

English Literature
World Literature ENGL 221, 222, 223
(any two of ENGL 221-222-223 count as a single core course)

History
Asian Civilizations: India, China, Japan  HIST 121, 122, 123
Women in India and China: to 1800, since 1800  HIST 531, 532
India to 1526, Indian Empires 1526-1905  HIST 574, 575
20th Century South Asia  HIST 576
China to the 9th Century, 9th to 19th century  HIST 661, 662
Chinese History: 1874-Present  HIST 663
Rise of Modern Japan: 1830-Present  HIST 664

Languages 
Basic Japanese  JAPN 101, 102, 103
Second-Year Japanese  JAPN 201, 202, 203
Japanese Composition and Conversation  JAPN 301, 302, 303
Basic Chinese  CHIN 101, 102, 103
Second-Year Chinese  CHIN 201, 202, 203, 214, 215, 216
Chinese Composition and Conversation  CHIN 304, 305, 306
Basic Literary Arabic  ARAB 101, 102, 103

Religion
Sacred Texts: Asian Traditions  RELG 246
Survey of World Religions  RELG 252
History and Thought: Islam, Buddhism  RELG 260, 262
World Religion  34-PHIL-211

Core Courses: Behavioral and Social Sciences
(Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Planning, Political Science, Sociology)

Anthropology
Peoples of Siberia, Central Asia, and Turkey  ANTH 322
Peoples of Japan  ANTH 326

Economics
Economy of China & Vietnam  ECON 541
Economy of Japan, East Asia  ECON 542, 543
Intl. Business/ Summer in Thailand  22-INTB

Geography/Geology
World Regional Geography: Asia  GEOG 126
Geography of Southern and Eastern Asia, China  GEOG 236, 237
Geology of Himalayas  GEOL 590

Planning, Environmental Studies
Film and the Global Village  PLAN 397
Planning Issues in Developing Nations  PLAN 670
Conservation & Economic Devel.: Developing Countries  EVST 620

Political Science
Gov’t and Politics in China  POL 563
ization  POL 588 (old # 382/682)
International Politics in East Asia  POL 591 (old # 386/686)

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

College requirements

This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years. Students will take required courses at different times depending upon their choice of options and the combination of the major with a minor or other program.

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

Asian Studies Major Requirements
1. Language: Intermediate-level competence in an Asian language
AND
2. 54 credit hours in Asian Studies courses, including 42 hours in core courses

(For language courses, the first 15-credits, generally at the 100-level (e.g. 101-102-103), count toward the college language requirement but not toward the 54 credits required for the Asian Studies Major; all subsequent language credits count toward the 54 credits required for the Asian Studies major).
These 54 credits of course work include nine credits of a capstone senior project and methodology courses; at least 18 credits in humanities and related areas (languages, art history, English, history, philosophy and religion); at least 18 credits in behavioral and social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, planning, environmental science and political science); and nine credits of elective core or non-core courses.

Politics in South Asia  POL 564 (old # 264)
Nationalism and Identity Politics  POL 568 (old # 368/668)
Women and Politics in the Third World  POL 579 (old # 365/665)
Security and Conflict: Asia  POL 586
Regional Politics in Asia  POL 587 (old # 380/680)
U.S. Foreign Policy and Global

Core Courses: Humanities and Related Areas
(Art History, English, Literature, History, Philosophy, Religion, Languages)

Art History
Survey of East Asian Art  ARTH 140
Asian Art-China ARTH 270
History of Japanese Prints  ARTH 550, 551

English Literature
World Literature ENGL 221, 222, 223
(any two of ENGL 221-222-223 count as a single core course)

History
Asian Civilizations: India, China, Japan  HIST 121, 122, 123
Women in India and China: to 1800, since 1800  HIST 531, 532
India to 1526, Indian Empires 1526-1905  HIST 574, 575
20th Century South Asia  HIST 576
China to the 9th Century, 9th to 19th century  HIST 661, 662
Chinese History: 1874-Present  HIST 663
Rise of Modern Japan: 1830-Present  HIST 664

Languages 
Basic Japanese  JAPN 101, 102, 103
Second-Year Japanese  JAPN 201, 202, 203
Japanese Composition and Conversation  JAPN 301, 302, 303
Basic Chinese  CHIN 101, 102, 103
Second-Year Chinese  CHIN 201, 202, 203, 214, 215, 216
Chinese Composition and Conversation  CHIN 304, 305, 306
Basic Literary Arabic  ARAB 101, 102, 103

Religion
Sacred Texts: Asian Traditions  RELG 246
Survey of World Religions  RELG 252
History and Thought: Islam, Buddhism  RELG 260, 262
World Religion  34-PHIL-211

Core Courses: Behavioral and Social Sciences
(Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Planning, Political Science, Sociology)

Anthropology
Peoples of Siberia, Central Asia, and Turkey  ANTH 322
Peoples of Japan  ANTH 326

Economics
Economy of China & Vietnam  ECON 541
Economy of Japan, East Asia  ECON 542, 543
Intl. Business/ Summer in Thailand  22-INTB

Geography/Geology
World Regional Geography: Asia  GEOG 126
Geography of Southern and Eastern Asia, China  GEOG 236, 237
Geology of Himalayas  GEOL 590

Planning, Environmental Studies
Film and the Global Village  PLAN 397
Planning Issues in Developing Nations  PLAN 670
Conservation & Economic Devel.: Developing Countries  EVST 620

Political Science
Gov’t and Politics in China  POL 563
ization  POL 588 (old # 382/682)
International Politics in East Asia  POL 591 (old # 386/686)

Core Courses: Other
Capstone Senior Project  ASIA 491-492-493
Intro Asian Studies -- Methods Class  ASIA 550

Non-Core Courses
Cultural Anthropology  ANTH 101, 102, 103
Introduction to Economics  ECON 101, 102, 103
Trade, Development  ECON 551, 552, 575
International Business  28-INTB-271, 571
Intro to Human Geography  GEOG 105, 106
People & the Environment  GEOG 262
Geography of Religion  GEOG 335
Sacred Space and Time  RELG 349
Modern Middle East  HIST 570, 571, 572
Sustainable Development (select years)  PLAN/EVST (select years)
Comparative Politics, Intl Relations  POL 160, 180
Politics in Developing Countries  POL 269/569
Middle East Politics  POL 271/571, 272/572
International Political Economy  POL 592 (old # 389/689)
Multicultural Expressions Through Art  16-FAM 520
Global Education  18-CI-684, 685, 784
Global Community  28-SOC-289

Note: It is recommended that students take one class in geography (from Geog 126, 237) and introductory classes in history (Hist 121, 122, 123) or upper-level Asian history courses. Additional introductory courses offer a breadth of perspectives to augment the Asian studies major and also serve as an introduction to a second major or minor. Useful introductory courses in politics and economics include international relations (Pol 180), comparative politics (Pol 160), microeconomics (Econ 101) and macroeconomics (Econ 102), while basic courses on culture and society include classes in cultural anthropology (Anth 101, 102, 103), religion (Relg 252, 260, 262), Asian art (Arth 140, 270, 271) and world literature (Engl 221, 222, 223).

Special Opportunities

Asian studies at UC is an interdisciplinary major that explores the languages, cultures, economics, history, geography and politics of Asian countries. By taking courses from several disciplines, students acquire a variety of analytical tools and examine issues and problems from multiple perspectives. Expertise in languages, courses from many disciplines and study-abroad opportunities in Asia are important aspects of the Asian studies experience at UC.

Special Programs

School of World Languages & Cultures

The college's first academic "school" establishes a collaborative academic alliance among the units and faculty of:

• Asian Studies
• European Studies
• German Studies
• Judaic Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Romance Languages and Literatures

and the college's world language curricula in:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Russian
• Swahili

Center for Area Studies & Programs

The Center for Area Studies and Programs comprises interdisciplinary programs in African studies, Arabic language and culture, Asian studies, European studies, Latin American studies, Middle Eastern studies and Russian studies. The center serves to advance the academic and pedagogical interests of these programs. It also serves as a coordinator for world language curricula and instruction in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian. The center is one of the four major units of the School of World Languages and Cultures in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.

Students specializing in area studies typically study the languages, histories, politics, economics, geography and cultures of various areas of the world. Students usually focus on one specific area, but sometimes compare two or more areas. An area studies major or certificate also usefully complements another major field of study.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA.

Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

English (4 units)*
College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
Science (2 units)
Social science (2 units)
Foreign language (2 units)*
Fine arts (1 unit)
Additional college prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts and Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in early registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.  

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree-seeking student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university's General Education requirements, the requirements listed in the McMicken College Core Requirements are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).