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Asian Studies

Offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the Asia-Pacific region. Students leverage Tokyo's position as Asia's meeting place, studying the region's languages, rich cultural traditions, shared history, rapid social change, environmental challenges, and political structures. This comprehensive program prepares graduates for rewarding careers, attuned to the beating heart of Asia's dynamism.

  • Michael Thomas Cucek

    Michael Thomas Cucek

      • Asian Studies

        • Assistant Professor /Faculty Advisor for the Asian Studies major /ICAS Associate

          Programs

          • Undergraduate
          • Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS)

Asian Studies is one of the strongest majors at TUJ, and it plays to the strengths of our faculty. If you believe that the passport to the future includes having good English language skills, computer skills, and critical thinking abilities, TUJ is a very attractive option. The Asian Studies major really prepares students for excellent careers in the Asia-Pacific region. Our graduates go on to jobs in a variety of different fields, including the private business sector, international organizations, NGOs and journalism. And since Asia is clearly the future for Japan, keeping Japan’s relations with Asia strong is increasingly vital. You won’t just be studying what’s in your textbooks, either. Working as an intern at an organization, for example, you’ll see firsthand what you’re learning in the classroom playing out in the real world. You’ll have access to a wide variety of internships in Tokyo, as well as great resources when you want to do a research project. If you need to investigate migration in Asia, for example, the offices of the UNHCR, the International Organization of Migration, and many Japanese NGOs are all located here. Being in Tokyo—Asia’s leading capital—puts enormous resources at your disposal.

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Sample Curriculum

Required Courses

Foundation Courses (select two from the following)

  • Introduction to East Asia: China (ASST/HIST 2501)
  • Introduction to East Asia: Japan (ASST/HIST 2502)
    Required Major Electives

    Asian Literature Requirement (select one from the following)

    • Chinese Literature (ASST 2112)
    • Japanese Literature (ASST 2111)

    Asian Religions Requirement (select one from the following)

    • Introduction to Buddhism (ASST/REL 2102)
    • Chinese Religions (ASST 2101/REL 2201)
    • Japanese Religions (ASST/REL 3301)

    Asian Language Requirement

    • All students will take 4 semesters of an Asian language (Chinese, Japanese or Korean)

    Required Writing-Intensive Courses

    • Writing in the City (ASST 2196)
    • Seminar in Asian Studies (ASST 4096)

    Asian Studies Electives

    • 1 course in Asian Studies 1000 level or higher
    • 3 courses in Asian Studies 2000-4999

    FEATURED COURSES

    A list of recently offered electives.

    Arrow-Medium Special Topics in Asian Studies I: Risk Culture: The Politics of Pandemics, Natural Disasters and Nuclear Energy
    Arrow-Medium Stories of Parents and Children in Japanese Literature and Film
    Arrow-Medium Metropolitan Tokyo
    Arrow-Medium Japanese Religions
    Arrow-Medium Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society

    Student Interviews

    Rachel Articuno
    Lena Knue
    Miina Yamada
     

    Arrow-Large Watch More Student Interviews

    Student Interviews

    Rachel Articuno
    Lena Knue
    Miina Yamada

    Watch More Student Interviews

    Admissions Counseling Office

    • Location: 1-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 154-0004 (Access)
    • Office Hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:30 (Japan Time)
    • E-mail: ac@tuj.temple.edu
    • Tel: +81-3-5441-9800

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