Declaration in or before Summer 2019

Last update: February 2022

Major Overview

Asian Studies draws on the resources of many departments to provide a comprehensive program of study on Asia (especially East Asia). Majors may concentrate on a geographic area, field, or theme(s). By combining language with the study of politics, history, society, art, religion and philosophy, and literature, each student can construct a major tailored to individual interests.

Temple's campus in Japan provides students an experience in the region while taking their coursework. It is possible for students to arrange internships for credit by making contact with an organization willing to accept them and working with a faculty supervisor. The Office of Career Development offers assistance in identifying internship opportunities.

The curriculum gives students a foundation for living or working in Asia, or continuing their studies through developing a knowledge base, cross-cultural sensitivity, analytical thinking, and communication and writing skills in English and an Asian language. After graduation, students find employment in media, government, financial services, trading companies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions. Some enter graduate programs in law, business, or academic fields, including Asian Studies.

The Asian Studies program will assist students in:

• understanding the broad foundations of at least one major Asian culture, including the history, culture, and socio-economic-political organization,
• recognizing the utility of different humanistic and social science disciplines in understanding a culture,
• understanding the distinction between theory and data and the links between the two components while drawing generalizations from actual social experience,
• recognizing the way language serves as a foundation of culture,
• understanding the issues and requirements of cross-cultural communication, and
• taking more initiative in educating themselves, to make analytical generalizations, to make ethical choices, and to feel confident in these and other exercises of personal responsibility.

Major Requirements

Arrow-Large 30 credits required

Arrow-Large Students must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher

Foundation Courses

6 Elective courses from 3 different subject areas

To be selected by the student together with the Asian Studies advisor. Must include courses from or cross-listed in at least three departments. The student’s program must have a coherent geographical and/or subject matter focus designed with the advice and approval of an Asian Studies advisor. Students can use a language course at the 3000 level or higher to count as an elective.

Courses count toward the major, minor, and certificate whether taken under Asian Studies or departmental numbers.

Writing-Intensive Elective

Capstone Course

Language (early start recommended)

Students must complete the 4th semester level of Chinese (2002), Japanese (2702/2002), Korean (2002), Hindi (2002), or the equivalent with a grade of C- or above. The language requirement may also be satisfied by examination of oral/aural and reading skills in any Asian language approved by the student's advisor.

Successful completion of Asian Studies major language requirement satisfies CLA Foreign Language requirement.

Minor Requirements

Arrow-Large 18 credits required

Arrow-Large Students must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher

Foundation Courses

4 Elective courses from 3 different subject areas

To be selected by the student together with the Asian Studies advisor. Must include courses from or cross-listed in at least three departments. The student’s program must have a coherent geographical and/or subject matter focus designed with the advice and approval of an Asian Studies advisor. Students can use a language course at the 3000 level or higher to count as an elective.

Courses count toward the major, minor, and certificate whether taken under Asian Studies or departmental numbers.

Language

Students must complete the 2nd semester level of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Hindi.

The language requirement may also be satisfied by examination of oral / aural and reading skills in any Asian language approved by the Asian Studies departmental / faculty advisor.

Major Requirements

Arrow-Large Minimum 30 credits plus 12-14 credits of language study 

Arrow-Large Students must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher

Foundation Courses

Asian Literature 

Asian Religions Requirement

Asian Language Requirement

Required Writing Intensive Courses

Asian Studies Electives

*Asian Language Requirement : The language requirement may be satisfied by coursework (not proficiency) in an Asian language. Heritage speakers will satisfy the four-course requirement by taking advanced courses in their language or by taking a different Asian language.

Students may not combine the major in Asian Studies with any of the following curricula: minor in Chinese, minor in Japanese, and may not double-major with Global Studies Global Cultures track. Students may double-major in Asian Studies and either the Economic Development or the Security tracks in the Global Studies major.

Distinction in Major

Asian Studies majors may graduate with distinction in the major if they have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Minor Requirements

Arrow-Large 24-26 credits required

Arrow-Large Students must successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher

Foundation Courses

Asian Literature Requirement

Asian Religions Requirement

Language

Asian Studies Electives

Language

Students must complete the 2nd semester level of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Hindi.

The language requirement may also be satisfied by examination of oral / aural and reading skills in any Asian language approved by the Asian Studies departmental / faculty advisor.