Asian Studies Minor
Larry Neuman, Coordinator
Asian Studies Minor Program
White Hall 405
(262) 472-1093
neumanl@uww.edu
asia@uww.edu
About the Program
Asian Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes the study of Asia and embraces a range of approaches and topics. Asian Studies include the study of history, culture, anthropology, language, politics, sociology, economics, literature and religion.
Accreditation
The College of Letters and Sciences is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Career Opportunities
The interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum strengthens written and oral skills and thereby prepares students for the widest variety of career opportunities. The primary career goal of the Asian Studies program is to provide students interested in either international careers or graduate/ professional training in international affairs with the proper foundation. The globalization of the world economy and the dominance of multinational corporations make the program especially attractive. Students who minor in Asian Studies often go into:
- Law, especially international law and international business law.
- Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.
- International business, including overseas postings and the tourism industry
- Journalism in international politics or current affairs.
- Foreign language instruction or translation.
- Education, including teaching English in an Asian country
Placement
Asian Studies graduates have found employment in a variety of governmental offices, non-profit organizations and businesses, local and international. Others have gone on to graduate or professional schools.
Suggested Course of Study
The Asian Studies minor requires 21 credits and has two tracks, General Asian Studies track and a Japanese Studies track. Both tracks require one year of Asian language study that is not included as part of the 21 credits, required GPA for graduation 2.25 in the minor.
General Asian Studies Track
For entry into program, one year of any Asian language courses with a C average or equivalent proficiency.
| 1. Humanities (Pick 2 courses from the following) |
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ENGLISH 258, Asian Literature |
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HISTRY 130, East Asian Tradition |
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HISTRY 131, East Asia since 1800 |
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RELIGST 211 East Asian Religion |
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2. Social Science (Pick 2 courses from the following) |
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ECON 351, ECON 351/551 Economies of Asia |
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GEOGRPY 364, Geography of East Asia |
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GEOGRPY 361, Geography of South and Southeast Asia |
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POLSCI 460, Government and Politics of Asia |
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SOCIOLGY 290, Sociology of Pacific Asia |
3. Capstone (3 units) ASIANSTD 498 OR ASANSTD 491 (Independent Study/Travel Study)
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4. Elective Courses (9 units) Any Courses Not Taken In 1 OR 2 OR 3, OR |
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RELIGST 303, Eastern Religious Thought |
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SOCIOLGY 285, Asian Americans |
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SOCIOLOGY 350, Contemporary Japanese Society |
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POLISCI 472, Government and Politics of China |
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HISTRY 385, Modern China |
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ASIANSTD 491, 492 or ASIANSTD 496 Travel Study (to Asia), Field Studies. Study Abroad |
Japan Studies Track
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Required for entry: Japanese 101 and 102 (Beginning 1 and 2) or equivalent |
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1. Core, Japanese Language (14 units) |
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FORNLANG 103 Beginning Japanese 3 |
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FORNLANG 201 Intermediate Japanese 1 |
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FORNLANG 202 Intermediate Japanese 2 |
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FORNLANG 203 Intermediate Japanese 3 |
2. Capstone (1 unit) FORNLANG 498 Independent study paper
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3. History and Culture Courses (6 units) from the following: |
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ENGLISH 258, Asian Literature |
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HISTRY 386, Modern Japan |
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ANTHRO/SOCIOLGY 350, Contemporary Japanese Society |
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ASIANST 491 Travel Study (must include travel in Japan) |
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Courses taken on Japan in a Study Abroad program can also count in the program as electives. |
Faculty
Faculty in geography, political science, history, anthropology, philosophy, religious studies, economics, and languages and literatures teach courses in Asian Studies. A student in the minor is exposed to a range of viewpoints from many areas of knowledge. Lists of faculty may be found in the UW-Whitewater Undergraduate Catalog.
High School Preparation
Preparation for the degree should begin in high school with an emphasis on strong communication and analytical skills. Students are encouraged to begin foreign language training at the high school level and to take advantage of opportunities to experience different cultures.
Internship Opportunities
Many students who in Asian Studies minor take advantage of travel study and study abroad programs that are available through UW-Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin System. Study abroad is encouraged, and every attempt is made to integrate courses taken abroad into the student's program at UW-Whitewater.
Student Organizations
The Asian Studies program at UW-Whitewater supports several student organizations including the Anime & Japanese Culture Society and Japanese Language & Culture Club
