ChooseWhy Choose This Program?

Why Study Asian Studies at Goucher?

Goucher's Asian studies minor gives students a complete perspective of Asia, spanning from Pakistan and India in the Southwest to Malaysia and Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific region. The curriculum in the Asian studies minor is designed to provide an immersion into a variety of Asian topics, including history and politics. Adding the breadth of the program, regions students will be studying include Southwest Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Rim.

LearnWhat Will You Learn?

What Will You Learn?

The Asian studies minor offers courses related to cultures, history, economics, history, international relations, and politics of the different regions of Asia. Students pursuing an Asian studies degree will engage with Asian topics on a local, national, and regional level. Asian studies is an interdisciplinary program that can pair with other majors and minors of a student's choosing. Students will have the opportunity to study languages in the Asia region, including Chinese. Goucher offers a combination of semester-long and Intensive Course Abroad (three-week-long) programs in countries in the Asian region, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand.

DoWhat Will You Do?

What Will You Do?

The Asian studies minor will help prepare students for careers related to government, politics, journalism, law, and international organizations and development. Students can also pursue careers related to language-centered work such as translation and teaching. Students with a minor in Asian studies will gain valuable intercultural experiences needed to succeed in a global world.

Course Curriculum

Asian studies is an inherently interdisciplinary program; therefore, the minor in Asian studies course offerings are located in multiple programs across the college.

Asian Studies Minor

Faculty

Program Contact:

Matthew Hale, Department Chair, Professor, History

Affiliated Faculty:

Julie Chernov, Associate Professor Political Science and International Relations

Clay Chou, Assistant Professor of Chinese and Asian Studies

Steven DeCaroli, Associate Professor of Philosophy

Amalia Honick, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations

Antje Rauwerda, Associate Professor of English

Study Abroad

Asian studies is a globally oriented field of study, and, as such, studying in Asia is an essential component of the Asian studies minor. Students in Asian studies are ordinarily required to study abroad in Asia, either on an ICA or a semester-long program. Students should discuss this with the program director, especially when their major might require study abroad outside of Asia. Goucher College has approved study abroad semester programs in China (Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hong Kong), Japan (Tokyo and Osaka), South Korea (Seoul and Gwangju), Thailand (Chiang Mai), and India (Bangalore, New Delhi, Jaipur). Previously, ICAs to Tokyo and Taipei (HIS 272Y), Beijing (ED 272Y), and Bali (SOA 272Y) have been offered and may run again in the future. Asian studies minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad with one of these Goucher-led or partner programs. Or, they are encouraged to locate a different program, especially if they wish to pursue more advanced language study or study a language that Goucher does not currently offer.

Minor Requirements 

The Asian studies minor consists of a combination of language study and courses in other disciplines.

Language Study

Students are expected to complete 12 credits of study in a foreign language native to the regions. Goucher currently offers courses in Mandarin Chinese, and students who study Chinese are expected to complete at least CHN 110, 120, and 130. Students who arrive at Goucher having already studied the Chinese language, or who are native speakers, must still meet the expectations of the minor regarding foreign language (12 credits), which will enable students to meet Goucher’s Foreign Language requirement (see here for specifics).

Students who wish to study a regional language that Goucher does not teach can do so through the Baltimore Student Exchange Program, study abroad, and/or intensive summer programs. Interested students should speak with both the chair of the Asian Studies Program and the chair of the Center for Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Goucher before enrolling in any such program to ensure that it meets the expectations of the minor and Goucher’s Foreign Language requirement. Please note that many other programs teach three-credit courses, so students studying languages outside of Goucher still need to meet the 12-credit minimum.

Non-Language Study

In addition to language classes, students must complete 20 credits from the list above. At least one of these courses must be at the 300-level. Students who study abroad for a semester can have up to eight non-Goucher credits count toward the minor, outside of language courses.

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