Asian Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

103 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-7814

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Asian Studies are expected to:

• Know the developments in the arts, history, culture, economics, politics, and societies of selected countries in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia; recognize the diversity of Asia; and identify basic practices and theories of major Asian beliefs and institutions;
• Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of a chosen Asian country or region;
• Develop knowledge of the historical, present, and evolving relationship of the United States with other Asian countries of the Pacific Rim. Cultivate a sensitive cultural and historical understanding of US-Asian relations;
• Choose at least one discipline (language and literature, history, political science, geography, philosophy, anthropology, education, music) and gain an ability to use its methodology in identifying, analyzing, and explaining issues of Asian region;
• Demonstrate college-level competence in an Asian language (including speaking, reading, and writing).

Major, Bachelor of Arts (36 hours) - minor required - Fall 2020 course requirements

The Asian Studies program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum of studies on Asia. Students complete a minimum of 36 credit hours from the list of the core courses and the elective courses.

Alternative courses may be approved by the program advisor. Students must fulfill the foreign language requirement by completing Chinese or Japanese at the 2020 level or demonstrate competency in one Asian language. This may be done by completing intensive Asian language and culture courses through student exchange programs in Asia. The students who wish to enter non-teaching careers are encouraged to develop a second major or minor in history, political science, economics, geography, etc. Dual degrees can also be pursued in the areas of comparative education, ethnomusicology, international business, etc.

Minor (21 hours)
Asian Studies minor aims to familiarize students with Asia and to acquire cultural skills relevant for students' professional endeavors. Students will also gain Asian languages skills and have an opportunity to study abroad in Japan, China, and Korea.

Students will complete 21 hours of course work. (6 credit hours of core courses, 6 credit hours of Asian languages courses, and 9 hours of elective courses)

Minor Requirements

Core (6 credit hours)

• ASIA 1800 (3) or HIST 1800 (3)
• ASIA 2000 (3) or PHIL 3210 (3)

Language (6 credit hours from the list below)

• CHIN 1010, CHIN 1020, CHIN 2010, CHIN 2020, CHIN 3010, CHIN 3020, CHIN 4910
• JAPN 1010, JAPN 1020, JAPN 2010, JAPN 2020, JAPN 3010, JAPN 3020, JAPN 4910

If a student enters BGSU with enough prior instruction in an Asian language to have the Arts and Sciences language requirement waived, then in order to complete the minor, the student will need to meet with the Asian Studies director in order to take the placement test and enroll in 6 hours of 3000-level language courses or 6 hours of beginning and/or intermediate courses in a different Asian language.

Electives (9 credit hours)

• ASIA: 3000, 3100, 4700, 4800, 4890
• ARTH: 2700, 3710, 3730
• BA: 3900, 4400
• CHIN: 2160, 3120, 3200, 4150, 4800
• ENG: 3140
• ETHN 1300
• FN: 3260
• GEOG: 1210, 2300, 2630, 3250, 3400
• HIST: 1510, 1520, 3030, 3370, 4070, 4080, 4090, 4390
• JAPN: 2000, 2150, 2160, 3000, 3120, 4150, 4800
• MKT: 4550
• MUCT: 1250, 2220, 2360, 3950E, 4220E
• POLS: 1720, 3610, 3660, 3720, 4510
• POPC: 3000
• TCOM: 3550
• THFM: 3470, 4590, 4680

Student exchange and internship programs
The Asian Studies program annually sends selected undergraduate students to Asia as exchange students or student interns. Students earn credits transferable to the University. See Special Academic Programs and Services or contact the Asian Studies program advisor for information.

Financial aid
Up to six scholarships are awarded annually to students majoring or minoring in Asian Studies. Recipients are recognized at the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's reception in April. See the Asian Studies program advisor for details.