Asian Studies
Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary major and minor that encourages, facilitates, and recognizes the study of Asia, broadly defined as the region from the Persian Gulf to the Philippines, including the present states of China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics of the former Soviet Union.
Asian Studies students prepare themselves for graduate study or professional work by studying the language, history, culture, and politics of the region. Currently, departments including Art and Art History, Economics, English, History, Languages and Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, Theology and Religious Studies offer Asian Studies courses. Students are encouraged to study abroad in the region as part of their university program. The program offers a limited number of scholarships in support of such study.
Students are required to register and consult with the Director of the Asian Studies program, and may earn a major or minor in Asian Studies.
The Nealis Program in Asian Studies emphasizes understanding of Asian cultures by combining a solid foundation in the liberal arts with specialized knowledge of Asia and its cultures. The program thus prepares graduates for success with a wide variety of career opportunities. Currently, participating departments include Art and Art History, Economics, English, History, Languages and Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Theology and Religious Studies.