Program in Asian Studies (BA)
Faculty:
Shirong Luo, Director, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Alister Inglis, Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures
Niloufer Sohrabji, Professor of Economics
Overview:
The major in Asian Studies is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of Asia, a
region that has become increasingly significant in the post-Cold War era. Students acquire this knowledge
by studying an East Asian language as well as courses in other disciplines that may include art history,
economics, film studies, history, literature, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology.
The major prepares students for further growth beyond college along a variety of paths, such as graduate
study, careers in education, employment abroad or in business and institutions specializing in Asia, and
service within and to the Asian American community.
A minor in Asian Studies allows students to enhance their major academic program with an
understanding of Asian history, politics, and/or culture. A minor may consist of, but does not require,
language courses.
Learning Outcomes:
- Acquire knowledge and an appreciation of Asian history and culture
- Build proficiency in one or more East Asian languages
- Develop critical thinking and research skills helpful for a career or graduate school program
- Experience Asian culture and people through internship
Departmental Honors:
Honors in Asian Studies requires a minimum GPA of 3.67 for Asian Studies courses in addition to a grade of A or A- for the senior term-paper; i.e., the paper produced as part of the course work for either AS 390 or AS 350.
The number of credits transferred from study abroad or other institutions and applied to the major shall not exceed 16 (four courses).
Major in Asian Studies
Requirements: Students must take five elective courses from the Asian Studies curriculum, including at least one of either HIST 201, HIST 202, or HIST 206. No more than three courses may be taken in any one department.
AS Curriculum (20 semester hours)
Language Courses (16 semester hours)
Students are required to study either 1) a single East Asian language for four sequential semesters, or 2) two East Asian languages for two semesters each. Courses taken to fulfill this part of the requirement cannot also count among the five electives from the AS curriculum.
Students who enter the Program with at least an intermediate knowledge of an East Asian language may, in special cases pending the Director’s approval, complete four additional courses from the Asian Studies curriculum.
Capstone Cross-Cultural Experience (8 semester hours)
1. Community-based or independent learning
To encourage cross-cultural experience, students complete four semester hours through either study abroad or community-based learning within an Asian American community. Students should have adequate language preparation and a significant portion of coursework completed before undertaking this experience. Thus, most students will satisfy this requirement during the junior or senior year. The precise timing will be decided in consultation with the student’s advisor. Alternatively, the student may undertake an independent study with an AS faculty member that would culminate in a research paper on a topic of the student's own design.
2. CRGCS 355: Capstone Project
The Capstone Project provides students the opportunity for intellectual inquiry on a selected topic. Projects will integrate theory and practice that address real-world problems. Students will draw areas of interest from the CRGCS programs (Africana Studies, Asian Studies, Migration Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Gender and Cultural Studies). The aim of the course is for students to demonstrate and reflect on the CRGCS program's interdisciplinary and intersectional features through their projects.
3. Integrative Seminar
Successful completion of either AS 390 or, when not offered, an alternate course is mandatory for all students in the major. In this seminar, the student will produce either a research paper or some form of creative work associated with a special interest. The nature and scope of the project will be collaboratively determined with the seminar instructor and/or their advisor. HIST 364 and 362 are currently offered in lieu of the Seminar.
Honors in Asian Studies requires a minimum GPA of 3.67 for AS courses in addition to a grade of A or A- for the senior term paper, i.e., the paper produced as part of the course work for either AS 390 or 350.
Minor in Asian Studies
A minor in Asian studies consists of five courses from the EAS curriculum. No more than three courses may be taken in any one department.
Asian Studies Minor
A minor in Asian Studies allows students to enhance their major academic program with an understanding of Asian history, politics, and/or culture. A minor may consist of, but does not require, language courses. A minor in Asian studies consists of five courses from the EAS curriculum. No more than three courses may be taken in any one department.
Department Contact
Shirong Luo, Ph.D
Philosophy Department
Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities
shirong.luo@simmons.edu