Asian Studies Minor
The Asian Studies minor is a multi-disciplinary course of study through which students engage the history, politics, languages, cultures, and other aspects of Asian peoples, societies, and countries. In the program, students gain knowledge in core areas while exploring their own areas of interest. At its core, the program provides students with the analytical tools to (a) evaluate Asian ways of experiencing and understanding the world, (b) develop a nuanced understanding of how “Asia” as a conceptual framework relates to specific geographical and historical realities, and (c) build a rigorous interdisciplinary and regional studies foundation for future work as global citizens and agents of social justice around the world.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | (18 credits) | |
| AS-101 | Introduction to Asian Studies | 3 |
| Five Elective Courses | 15 | |
At least one elective course must be at the 300 level or higher | ||
At least two elective courses must be in a different discipline from the other Asian Studies courses | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
• A maximum of two courses can be in the student's major, unless the Asian Studies Minor is part of a Liberal Studies Major.
• Students must take at least one course that has substantial historical content and at least one course with substantial content on philosophy/religion.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in more than one geographical area (such as East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia).
• Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in an Asian language.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Studies Elective Courses | ||
| HI-236 | Nature and Culture in Premodern East Asia | 3 |
| HI-237 | Modern Far East History II | 3 |
| HI-251 | Roots of China's Rise: Reform, Revolution and Reinvention | 3 |
| HI-255 | Faculty-Led Study Abroad: China Cultural Immersion | 3 |
| HI-318 | Ethnic Identities in China | 3 |
| HI-334 | Environmental Crisis and Management in China | 3 |
| HI-335 | Imperial Crossroads of Modern East Asia | 3 |
| HI-337 | Travels in Asia | 3 |
| PH-170 | Introduction to Asian Philosophy | 3 |
| PH-171 | Buddhist Philosophy | 3 |
| PH-172 | Chinese Philosophy | 3 |
| PO-221 | Asian Politics | 3 |
As an interdisciplinary program, Asian Studies draws faculty from multiple disciplines across the campus. Each faculty member's information can be found at the respective department that offers each of the courses.
Any students with questions, please contact the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies, Dr. Aldo Garcia Guevara at aguevara@worcester.edu.
Required Courses
AS-101 Introduction to Asian Studies
LASC Categories: GP, DAC
Introduction to Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Asian societies and cultures, using sources from different genres and disciplines to examine the social, cultural, historical, religious, and philosophical dimensions of Asian societies.
Alternating and every year. 3 Credits
AS-401 Practicum in Asian Studies
Prerequisites: AS-101
In this course, students will apply Asian Studies knowledge and skill base through a hands-on activity, such as an internship in an Asian country or locally in an Asia-focused organization, or to a practical issue or challenge relevant to Asian Studies in a real-world setting, such as an internship in an Asia-focused think tank.
Alternating and every year. 3 Credits
Elective Courses
HI-236 Nature and Culture in Premodern East Asia
LASC Categories: GP, TLC
This course will examine premodern East Asian history through the lens of interactions between humans and nature, exploring how people in the regions of present-day China, Japan, (North and South) Korea, and Vietnam engaged with the land, water, plants, and animals to forge new cultural patterns, social relations, and political institutions. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-237 Modern Far East History II
LASC Categories: GP
The transformation and re-invention of East Asian societies since World War II. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every year. 3 Credits
HI-251 Roots of China's Rise: Reform, Revolution and Reinvention
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Examines the modern historical roots of China's rise as an international power, from the decline of its last imperial dynasty through the tumults of 20th century social movements to its recent emergence as a global economic power. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-255 Faculty-Led Study Abroad: China Cultural Immersion
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Experientially based immersion in the culture and society of China, consisting of language study, visits to historical and cultural sites, cultural immersion activities in local life, and the opportunity to engage with Chinese students. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-318 Ethnic Identities in China
LASC Categories: TLC, GP, DAC, WAC
Prerequisites: Writing II.
This course examines the modern history of ethnic identity formation in China and its frontiers and borderlands. It explores how China's own history of territorial expansion and political subjugation driven by ethnic minority rule shaped Chinese concepts of ethnic unity and diversity. The intersecting trajectories of European imperialism and Chinese ethnic nationalism will also be discussed, with the goal of situating the construction of ethnic categorization in China to global processes of colonialism and nationalism. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Alternating and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-334 Environmental Crisis and Management in China
LASC Categories: HBS, NSP
This course will examine the history of the relationship between Chinese society and culture, economic development, state power, scientific theories, and the environment. Recent media reports have highlighted a worsening environmental crisis in China while at the same time reporting on China as a new leader in the development of alternative energy sources. Government, domestic and international non- governmental organizations, urban and rural activists, scientific studies and discourses, and evolving political ideologies will be addressed. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-335 Imperial Crossroads of Modern East Asia
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Examines East Asian history at the crossroads of Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Korean colonial and nationalist movements in a region called Manchuria, presently China's northeast border with Russia, Korea, and Mongolia. Counts for Middle East/Asia within the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-337 Travels in Asia
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Travels in Asia examines modern East Asian history through the lens of Chinese, Japanese, European, and American travel narratives from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. Counts for Middle East/Asia in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-170 Introduction to Asian Philosophy
LASC Categories: GP, TLC, DAC
Introduces and surveys the major philosophical traditions in East-Asia, South-Asia, and South-East Asia. This course will study the different worldviews, conceptions of human nature and the good life from these philosophical perspectives, and where possible, make comparisons with Western philosophies.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-171 Buddhist Philosophy
LASC Categories: GP, ICW, DAC
Introduces and surveys the history and development of the major Buddhist traditions, and their interpretation of core Buddhist philosophies, as they move outwards from India.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-172 Chinese Philosophy
LASC Categories: GP, TLC, DAC
Surveys the philosophies of ancient China, including Taoism, Buddhism, Legalism and the development of the Confucian tradition in China.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PO-221 Asian Politics
LASC Categories: HBS, GP
This course provides students with an analysis of selected political systems of the countries of Asia. Students will have the opportunity to learn about major theories in comparative politics, which will be applied to the understanding of countries in the Asian region. Topics will include communist and post-communist transitions, democratization, social movements, and economic reform. [Applicable to the Global Studies Concentration.]
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits