Asian Studies
Expand your understanding of the world's largest and most dynamic region
Requirements:
24 credit hours (supplementary major)
15 credit hours (minor)
senior capstone
Open to:
all undergraduate students
Disciplinary Focus:
anthropology; business; economics; film, television, theatre; history; language; law; literature; philosophy; political science; sociology; theology
The Asian Studies program offers two degrees, a supplementary major and a minor, to explore the diverse histories, cultures, religions, and political systems of the world’s most populous region and its diaspora.
You will gain a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of Asia and its global significance. Moreover, you are encouraged to study abroad to enrich your learning with first-hand experience.
These degress are proudly administered by the Keough School’s Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.
Curriculum
There are no required core courses for either the supplementary major or minor in Asian Studies. Instead, students can customize their experience from a wide array of cross-listed electives available across the Keough School and the College of Arts and Letters. The courses draw from four disciplinary categories.
Examples of past elective courses include:
- Democracy in Modern South Asia
- Media and Politics in East Asia
- Political Economy of East Asia
- Gendered Bodies in the Islamic Tradition
- Green Japan
- Gods, Empires, and Nations: The Story of India
Supplementary Major in Asian Studies
21 Credit Hours
Elective Distribution
All four disciplines below are required for the supplementary major.
- History (3 credits)
- Literature/Culture (3 credits)
- Humanities (3 credits, OR an additional 3 credits of Literature/Culture)
- Social Sciences (3 credits)
- Additional Electives (9 credits)
Language
Up to 6 credits of language may count toward the supplementary major.
Study Abroad
Up to 12 credits from ND-sponsored study abroad programs in Asia may count toward the major.
Minor in Asian Studies
12 credit hours
Elective Distribution
Three of the four disciplines below are required for the minor.
- History (3 credits)
- Literature/Culture (3 credits)
- Humanities (3 credits)
- Social Sciences (3 credits)
- Additional Electives (3 credits)
Language
Up to 3 credits of language may count toward the minor.
Study Abroad
Up to 6 credits from ND-sponsored study abroad programs in Asia may count toward the minor.
Recommended Courses
Two foundational courses taught by Global Affairs faculty are highly recommended for all Asian Studies students:
- Approaching Asia (3 credits)
- Connecting Asia (3 credits)
Capstone
3 Credit Hours
Required for both the supplementary major and the minor. In your senior year, you'll complete 3 credits of upper-level curriculum, culminating in a capstone project that demonstrates significant depth and scholarship related to Asia.
- Option 1: A substantive project or paper completed as part of an upper-level course, or
- Option 2: An independent project or paper advised by a faculty mentor.
Students must submit their finished capstone paper or project to their supervising faculty member for grading. After evaluation, the faculty member will complete and sign the Cpastone Completion Form, then forward both the signed form and an electronic copy of the sutdent's work tot he Asian Studies academic advisor for final approval.
“I am always amazed by the artistic and literary creativity that originates from East Asian roots. Through pursuing Asian Studies as a supplementary major, I witnessed,
participated and connected through the history of culture and constructed the world from its memories of words and colors.”
Ready to take the next step?
For more information about the supplementary major or minor in Asian studies, contact Alex Hsu, Assistant Teaching Professor of Global Affairs and Director of Undergraduate Studies, at ahsu@nd.edu.