This 18-credit, interdisciplinary minor offers students a foundational understanding of global Asian communities and their diasporic communities, networks, and experiences across the globe. It provides students with a systematic introduction to the cultures, religions, literatures, histories, economics, and politics of diasporic Asian communities. At the same time, it also introduces students to the diverse ways in which “Asia” has been conceptualized across disciplines. Drawing on a wide range of humanistic and social science methods, students will learn to critically revisit existing understandings of Asia. In particular, students will learn to move beyond US-centric approaches by mobilizing the key resources of Asian Studies – language expertise and commitment to site-specific, contextualized research – to expand their understanding of Global Asian communities and cultures.
Program Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge about the histories and cultures of Asian diasporic communities.
- Critically analyze primary and secondary sources related to Global Asias and develop effective cross-cultural awareness.
- Compare and contrast intra- and inter-regional continuities and differences in culture, religions, languages, history, and politics, both historically and in the contemporary period
- Communicate aspects of global Asian scholarship effectively in writing and orally.
Requirements for the Minor
Minimum 18 credits and maximum 21 credits.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student’s major(s).
Course Lists
Select 4 credits from the following language courses (mandatory):
4-credit language courses
CHNS 001 – Level 1 Chinese A
HIND 001 – Level 1 Hindi
JAPNS 001 – Level 1 Japanese A
KOR 001 – Level 1 Korean A
Select 13-17 credits from the following courses
(at least 3 credits at the 100-200 level, and six credits at the 400 level):
1-credit language courses
JAPNS 009 Easy Japanese through Food
JAPNS 010 Easy Japanese through Anime
KOR 010 Easy Korean through K-pop Music
JAPNS 210 Extensive Reading in Japanese
2-credit language courses
JAPNS 011 Step-by-Step Japanese 1
JAPNS 012 Step-by-Step Japanese 2
KOR 011 Step-by-Step Korean 1
3-credit critical studies courses
AMST 160N Introduction to Asian American Studies
AMST 161N Chinese in America, Americans in China
AMST 432 Ethnicity and the American Experience
ASIA 003 Introduction to the Religions of the East
ASIA 004 Introduction to Asian Literatures
ASIA 100 What is Asia?
ASIA 103 Introduction to Hinduism
ASIA 104 Introduction to Buddhism
ASIA 200 What are Asian Languages?
ASIA 215 Architecture and Art of South and Southeast Asia
ASIA 403 Food Cultures of Asia
ASIA 400 International Culture in East Asia
ASIA 405Y Seminar in Asian Studies
ASIA 415 China Beyond China
ASIA 424 Transnational Korean Literature
ASIA 425 Global Korean Cinema
ASIA 430 Japan in the World
ASIA 465Y Democratization in Asia
ASIA 469 Government and Politics of South Asia
ASIA 472 Tradition, Modernity, and Cultural Change in South Asian Societies
ENGL 428 Asian American Literature
HIST 106 Early Modern Empires of Islam: The Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals
HIST 169 The Indian Ocean World
HIST 170 South Asia to 1500
HIST 182 Asian Trade: Economy, Industrialization and Capitalism in Asia
HIST 186 The Silk Roads
HIST 188 Tibet: People, Places and Spaces
HIST 400 Global History of Food and Famine
ARTH 120 Asian Art and Architecture
ARTH 125 Islamic Architecture and Art
Asian American Reading Group
AARG is a reading group of graduate students and faculty. The group is open to anyone interested in reading and discussing Asian American and Asian diasporic art, literature, and criticism, including their overlaps with fields like history, global literatures, critical race and ethnic studies.