Asian Studies Minor

Description

Asia is a geographic region broadly defined to stretch from China, Japan, and Korea in the northeast, through the countries of peninsular and maritime Southeast Asia, to India and Pakistan on the southwest. It contains within it both the oldest cultures and most vibrant modern societies in the world and, whether we think in terms of geopolitical visions of “the Asian Century” or “the Indo-Pacific,” or the growing influence of China’s economy and military, or the global impact of anime, manga, and K-pop, Asia’s influence in contemporary world affairs is undeniable. The Asian Studies minor exists to help students explore this region through its languages, histories, politics, international relations, philosophies, and cultures. Students will engage with Asia at local, national, and regional levels, examining both specific societies and broad trends that cut across national borders. They will also situate these local, national, and regional studies in a global context that brings in connections to, and comparisons with, North American and European cases. They will do so through an interdisciplinary program that asks deep questions about the meanings and prevailing misconceptions of “Asia” and the countries and peoples that inhabit it and encourages them to pursue their own answers both within the classroom and in the world beyond it.

Faculty

Contact:

Evan Dawley, Associate Professor of History

Affiliated Faculty:

Julie Chernov, Associate Professor Political Science and International Relations

Steve DeCaroli, Associate Professor of Philosophy

Amalia Honick, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations

Antje Rauwerda, Associate Professor of English

Program Learning Outcomes

The Asian Studies minor emphasizes student learning about the societies and peoples of the Asian region, so that they may better understand and be able to interact with them. As such, we help students work toward two learning outcomes:

Students will Articulate their comprehension of Asian perspectives on social structures, historical interactions, core philosophies, and/or contemporary geopolitics.
Students will Communicate their knowledge of an Asian language, to demonstrate their ability to interact and function in the region.

Program Courses

Asian Studies is an inherently interdisciplinary program, therefore all of its course offerings are located in multiple programs in three different Centers across the College.

Study Abroad

Asian Studies is a globally oriented field of study and, as such, studying in Asia is an important component of the minor. Students in Asian Studies are ordinarily required to study abroad in Asia, either on an ICA or a semester-long program, and should discuss this with the program director, especially in cases where 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). In the past we have also had ICAs to Tokyo and Taipei (HIS 272Y ), Beijing (ED 272Y ), and Bali (SOA 272Y ), which 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 should 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 CHI 110 , CHI 120 , and CHI 130 . Students who arrive at Goucher having already studied 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 Asian Studies and the Chair of the Center for Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 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 towards the minor, outside of language courses