Asian Studies

Asia has had a long history. It has been home to some of the world’s first civilizations, the source of numerous great inventions, and witness to an archaic form of globalization. Asia has continued to be significant in contemporary times and remains perhaps the most important site of future economic and political development. It is the world’s largest continent: Over 60% of the world’s population resides in Asia. Asia has seen the rise of global economic powerhouses, such as Japan and the Four Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan), as well as the emergence of the world’s most populous democracy, India. China, the country which may soon become the next global superpower in both economic and military terms, is also located in Asia. As such, Asia remains crucial to American national interests.

The Asian Studies Program offers an Asian Studies minor whose initial core area is East Asia, due to the region’s historical and contemporary significance. Although the program emphasizes China and Japan, students also study linkages between these two countries and other parts of East Asia (the Korean Peninsula, Mongolia, and Taiwan), as well as connections between East Asia and other regions, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Oceania. Through course offerings focused on Asian histories, businesses, politics, economies, religions, cultures, and languages, this program seeks to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of Asia. The program design fosters familiarity with interdisciplinary approaches, cross-cultural interactions, and global events.

More information can be found online at https://www.stetson.edu/other/academics/undergraduate/asian-studies.php

Upon completion of the program, students will have, or will be able to: 

1. Reflect a general understanding and appreciation of Asia by showing awareness of Asian histories, businesses, politics, societies, economies, religions, cultures, and languages in writing assignments.
2. Achieve a nuanced understanding of the diversity between various countries within Asia and connections between different regions such as East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Oceania.
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of key events, themes, and peoples over time through taking a required introductory course in the chosen core area(s).
4. Demonstrate awareness of different disciplinary approaches, cross-cultural interactions, and global events through completing readings in different scholarly disciplines and fields.
5. Attain proficiency in an Asian language equivalent to the 102 level.

Minor in Asian Studies - 4 Units

¹

It is strongly recommended that this course is to be completed prior to the senior year.

²

 Maximum of two courses from one department.