Asian Studies Major Minor University of Denver

Tea ceremony demonstration at DU's Schwayder Art Gallery

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR & MINOR IN ASIAN STUDIES—

MAJOR

MINOR

HISTORY: Choose 1 Contemporary Japan or Modern Japan or Modern China or History of Modern India	4	4
RELIGIOUS STUDIES: Choose 1 Religions of East Asia or Hinduism Through Sacred Texts or Modern Hinduism or Buddhism	4	4
2nd and 3rd year Japanese or 2nd and 3rd year Chinese language	24	Optional: up to 8 credits, included among electives
Asian Studies Directed Readings and Asian Studies Senior Thesis (senior year)	8	n/a
Elective courses	20	16

Total credit hours

ASIAN STUDIES MAJOR:

The Major in Asian Studies begin with 2 foundation courses. The courses in (1) Japanese, Chinese or Indian history and (2) East Asian or Indian religions provide breadth and a common ground for all students in Asian Studies.

Intermediate and advanced language courses offer an in-depth understanding of Asian cultures and people. Language training will also help prepare majors for a career focused on Asia or for advanced studies and will provide a competitive edge on the job market or in graduate admissions.

Elective courses allow you to specialize in a particular area (for instance, history, art history and religions of Japan or China) or expand your knowledge of many different Asian societies.

In addition, Asian Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study in Asia for up to one year. Excellent programs exist in Japan, China, India, South Korea, and many other Asian countries. Juniors or first-quarter seniors whose minimum 3.0 GPA qualifies them for the Cherrington Global Scholars program may study for one quarter in an approved international program for the cost of studying at DU for a quarter. Interested students should consult with the Asian Studies program director and the Study Abroad Office for more information.

In your senior year, the Directed Readings and Senior Thesis series in the Fall and Winter quarters will allow you and other majors to draw upon your training in order to sharpen your research skills, craft a thesis proposal, and write a thesis under the supervision of an Asian Studies faculty advisor

Declaring a Major:

If you decide to major in Asian Studies, just make an appointment with Prof. Ginni Ishimatsu, Asian Studies Program Director (303-871-2755; gishimat@du.edu). She will answer your questions about the major, help you to sign up as a major, and will guide you to an Asian Studies faculty advisor who can give you advice about the best courses to take according to your main interests. You will need to meet each quarter with the program director for approval of courses taken for the major.

ASIAN STUDIES MINOR:

Like the Major in Asian Studies, the MINOR begins with 2 foundation courses. The courses in (1) Japanese, Chinese or Indian history and (2) East Asian or Indian religions provide breadth and a common ground for all students in Asian Studies.

The Minor does not require language study, but up to 8 credit hours from intermediate and/or advanced Asian language courses may be counted as approved elective courses.

Elective courses may be selected from among any of the Asian Studies-approved courses at DU (except the senior thesis series) or approved study-abroad courses.

Declaring a Minor:

It’s easy to declare a minor in Asian Studies--just click here.

Asian Studies Major & Minor