Asian Studies

Asia is gaining increasing economic and strategic prominence in the world, and Asian countries have rich and fascinating cultures and heritages. Asian studies is an interdisciplinary major that explores the languages, cultures, economics, history, geography and politics of Asian countries. Students often combine an Asian studies degree or certificate with another major field of study. Students may also study abroad in Asia, pursue internships and apply for fellowshipsand competitive awards such as Boren and language-study fellowships. 

Major Details

The major in Asian Studies requires 37 credit hours, including:

• 10 credits of second-year Asian languages (ARAB, CHIN, JAPN 2001-2002)
  
• 6 credits of Methods in Asian Studies (AIST 3050) and Senior Project (AIST 5091)
  
• at least 6 credits in Humanities (art history, culture, literature, history, religion, etc)
  
• at least 6 credits in Social Sciences (economics, geography, planning, political science, etc)

Curriculum Planning
1. In their freshman or early sophomore year, students should declare the Asian Studies major online.
2. Students should take the relevant language courses beginning in their freshman year; humanities and social science classes in the freshman through senior years; the methods class (AIST 3050) in the junior year; and the senior project (AIST 5091 or an asia-related senior capstone in another major) in the senior year.
3. At the end of their sophomore and junior years, before registering for the subsequent year’s classes, students should discuss curricular planning with the Asian Studies director.

Students may also pursue minors or second majors in another field of study. Some common such fields include anthropology, art history, biological sciences, business, chemistry, communication, economics, e-media, education, English, environmental studies, engineering, geography, history, international affairs, journalism, music, physics, planning, political science, sociology, and women's studies.

Further Curriculum Information

These tools assist students to identify course requirements and individual progress toward completion of academic programs. It is important to utilize these resources with personalized guidance from a UC academic advisor regularly to ensure timely graduation.

My Degree Audit - for confirmed and current students

My Transfer Course Equivalencies - for students considering a transfer to UC

UC Schedule of Classes - search course location and instructor for current-semester classes

Course Offerings - search course availability and descriptions for upcoming-semester classes