Asian Studies

Career - what can you do with an Asian Studies degree?

Asian studies will prepare you for career opportunities with companies that are supplied by or work within Asian countries.  A growing number of corporations and agencies operate branches, subsidiaries or joint ventures in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.

For students interested in Asian studies, there are generally three paths of study that can lead to an exciting and stimulating career:

• Asian Studies, in combination with a degree in economics, finance and business administration, can be a great asset for pursuing a profession in international business.
• An undergraduate degree in Asian Studies is a great stepping stone for a career in academia.
• Students interested in human rights might find a rewarding career with the U.S. Department of State or an international nonprofit agency within Asia.

Internships are encouraged in the BGSU Asian studies program and increase your prospects of job attainment.

Asia, ancient and modern

Asian studies can be a path to a career working within a rising economic force, a way to restore connections to a familial heritage, or explore different cultures. Students will learn to understand different political systems, social structures, and religious traditions.  

Asia’s deep and rich philosophical and literary heritage and their manifestations in new cultural forms like video games, manga and anime provide a fertile area of inquiry for the Asian Studies major.  

As a minor, Asian studies can open new career possibilities for political science, history, geography, finance, business, economics and education students.

With an active group of student organizations on campus, there are opportunities to discover and celebrate Asian cultures and customs, exchange ideas, and develop mutual respect and understanding between Americans and Asians.  

Summer studies programs in China and Japan and student exchange programs offer the chance for students to see their studies in context.

Study Abroad Programs

Study abroad programs in China, Japan and Korea are well established at BGSU and offer placement at one of China’s top 20 universities and at Japanese universities in cities such as Hiroshima, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe.

Students report transformative experiences from their time in Asia. The Asian Studies Advisory Committee interviews and places students in the available programs based on gender identity (some of our partner institutions are women's colleges), grades, level of Japanese language skill, and other criteria.

Summer Studies

Summer studies programs include trips to China and Japan. Trips focus on either study or cultural exposure. Options include living with host families, regular excursions and classroom experiences.

The Peace Studies course focuses on an intensive trip to study Hiroshima and the human and material consequences of atomic bombings and the subsequent history of nuclear politics and culture. 

Curriculum

An interdisciplinary program of core Asian studies courses will introduce students to the social sciences and humanities and provide them with a global outlook on the world and Asia.

Students gain a broad knowledge of the history, culture and societies of East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia; in-depth understanding of one Asian country; and basic conversational and reading skills of an Asian language.

Developing proficiency in an Asian language is a requirement of the bachelor of arts in Asian studies. Japanese and Chinese are currently offered at BGSU. Speaking and understanding the language opens up conversation with the people who speak that language and a deeper understanding of the culture.

The elective courses provide students with in-depth knowledge of Asia and analytical and practical skills in the selected disciplines.

Asian Studies Forums feature special lectures on Asia by guest speakers, faculty and students who share their knowledge and interest of Asia on a variety of subjects.

Graduates will have a broad interdisciplinary, international and comparative perspective on Asia and its relation to the United States and functional ability in an Asian language that will enrich their professional and personal lives.

Required courses