Asian Studies
Exploring the Major —Students considering Asian Studies as a major should begin exploring the discipline through introductory AST courses choosing one or more that appeals to them. Most 100-level or 200-level AST courses can serve this purpose, but AST 100 is strongly recommended, as it is required for completion of both the major and the minor in Asian Studies.
Admission to the Major —No special curricular requirements must be met for admission to the Asian Studies major.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)— Students should enroll in AST 100 and either AST 229 or AST 240 or AST 243 or PSC 250 as soon as possible. In the earliest possible Fall Term, students who are interested in the Chinese Studies concentration should enroll in CHI 101, just as students with an interest in the Japanese Studies concentration should enroll in JPN 101. Students who are interested in the Comparative Asia concentration and/or who wish to study an Asian language other than Chinese or Japanese should plan on completing a term of study abroad in the appropriate country no later than their junior year. All majors are required to take AST 401 in the Fall Term prior to their planned graduation.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major —In addition to completing specified course requirements, each student must satisfy department standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication.
Other Considerations or Recommendations— All potential majors should plan on spending at least one term, if not a full year, studying in Asia either through our exchange programs, Berea Term Abroad (BTA), Berea International Summer Term (BIST), or Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS). Currently, the College has exchange arrangements with Kyushu University (Japan), Kansai Gaidai University (Japan), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Keimyung University (South Korea), and Payap University (Thailand).