Program Overview
Asian studies has become an increasingly important area of study in North American colleges and universities. This is due in part to a growing acknowledgment that Asian cultures are of significance both regionally and globally. The Asian Studies Program offers students the opportunity to explore these cultures from a multidisciplinary perspective so that they are able to understand the social, cultural, political, and other forces that shape and have shaped Asian nations.
The Asian Studies Program draws on faculty and courses from such departments as anthropology, art history and art, economics, modern languages and literatures, history, philosophy, political science, and religious studies. A current list of approved courses is available from the program director.
Students are encouraged to take courses in different disciplines in order to obtain broad exposure to the languages, literature, art, culture, religious traditions, and political, economic, and social institutions of Asian countries.
In addition to course offerings, the Asian Studies Program sponsors extracurricular activities that enhance the formal study of Asia and give students additional opportunities to explore and understand Asia’s importance in the global community. The program sponsors lectures and films and administers a website devoted to Asia. It also encourages students to participate in study abroad programs in Asian countries and to utilize Asian resources at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other local institutions.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
The minor in Asian studies consists of a minimum of 15 credit hours of Asia-related courses.
The 15 credits must be at the 200- or 300- level and come from at least three different subjects as listed: ANTH, ARTH, ASIA, CHIN, COGS, HSTY, JAPN, KORE, POSC, and RLGN.
If a student completes 3-8 credits of language courses, the remaining 7-12 credits must be at the 200- or 300- level and come from at least two different subjects as listed: ANTH, ARTH, ASIA, CHIN, COGS, HSTY, JAPN, KORE, POSC, and RLGN.
Asia-related (non-language) Courses
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
ANTH 333 | Roots of Ancient India: Archaeology of South Asia | 3 |
ANTH 353 | Chinese Culture and Society | 3 |
ANTH 354 | Health and Healing in East Asia | 3 |
ARTH 307 | Arts of China | 3 |
ASIA 320 | Chinese Popular Culture | 3 |
ASIA 330 | Chinese Cinema | 3 |
CHIN 350 | China and Green Cultural Transformation | 3 |
CHIN 350D | China and Green Cultural Transformation | 3 |
CHIN 380 | Contemporary Chinese Texts I | 3 |
COGS 335 | Japanese Linguistics | 3 |
HSTY 288 | Imperial China: The Great Qing | 3 |
HSTY 289 | Reform, Revolution, Republics: China 1895 to Present | 3 |
JAPN 215 | The World of Manga | 3 |
JAPN 225 | Japanese Popular Culture and Society | 3 |
JAPN 235 | The Japan Experience: Kyoto - Language, Culture & Exchanges | 3 |
JAPN 245 | Classical Japanese Literature: Enduring Aesthetics in Poetry, Prose, Musings, and Plays | 3 |
JAPN 255 | Modern Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
JAPN 265 | Constructing the Samurai: Images of Japanese Warriors from 1100's to the Present | 3 |
JAPN 306 | Readings in Manga | 3 |
JAPN 315 | Origins of Anime: Classical Texts, Modern Manga, Anime, and Tales | 3 |
JAPN 337 | Love and Loss: Reading The Tale of Genji | 3 |
JAPN 341 | Power of Words: Ritual Uses of Premodern Japanese Literature | 3 |
JAPN 355 | Modern Japanese Novels and the West | 3 |
KORE 312 | Korean Popular Culture | 3 |
POSC 370C | The United States and Asia | 3 |
POSC 370D | The Politics of China | 3 |
RLGN 216 | Hinduism | 3 |
RLGN 217 | Buddhism | 3 |
RLGN 221 | Indian Philosophy | 3 |
RLGN 228 | Asian Americans: Histories, Cultures, Religions | 3 |
RLGN 243 | Bollywood, Social Justice, Gender and Sexuality: Contemporary Bollywood Movies with a Social Message | 3 |
RLGN 253 | Religion and Philosophy in China | 3 |
RLGN 347 | Buddhism, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
Language Courses
No more than two (6-8 credits) language courses (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) may count toward the minor.