The Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See General Education Requirements in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education Requirements.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See Math and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Study Abroad Students

Students studying in an accredited study abroad program in Asia are encouraged to consider undertaking a major or minor in Asian Studies. Study abroad students should consult with the Asian Studies Coordinator about the transferability of coursework before departing for Asia. It is often possible to complete 24-26 units of the major in a relevant study abroad program, or 15-17 units of the minor.

Course Requirements for the Major: 30-32 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ASST 300	Asian Studies: Contemporary Social Problems and Prospects	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course is also offered as AAST 300. Study of problems and prospects related to Asia. This course includes a series of in-depth analysis of major issues, current problems, and prospects of Asia. Extensive research, writing, and oral presentations are required. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000005)
ASST 490	Capstone Course	3.0	SP	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher. This variable-content capstone seminar is devoted to the critical reading, evaluation, and discussion of major recent scholarship on Asia. Works are selected from a variety of disciplinary perspectives with an effort to cover several Asian areas (Japan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia) and to deal with critical issues of the day. Students will lead discussions, evaluate arguments, and write critical essays at a level appropriate to graduating seniors with a major in Asian Studies. Required seminar for majors. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (000999)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ANTH 200	Cultures of Asia	3.0	INQ	GE GC
This course is also offered as ASST 200. An introduction to the people and cultures of Asia, emphasizing India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The course employs a multimediated approach to learning. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000523)
ASST 200	Cultures of Asia	3.0	INQ	GE GC
This course is also offered as ANTH 200. An introduction to the people and cultures of Asia, emphasizing India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The course employs a multimediated approach to learning. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000523)
RELS 110	Asian Religions	3.0	FS	GE GC
An introduction to the religions of the East: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (008128)

21-23 units selected from:

Students must select a 6-9 units each from Group A and Group B, and 6-8 units from Group C for a minimum of 21 units. 12 units must be upper division.

Group A: Humanities

6-9 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTH 103	Far Eastern Art Survey	3.0	FS	GE GC
Survey of the major visual arts of India, China, and Japan from the prehistoric to the nineteenth-century period. An emphasis on the traditional Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto arts. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000707)
ARTH 461	Chinese and Japanese Art	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 for art majors. In-depth study of Chinese and Japanese visual arts (architecture, painting, sculpture, and other fine arts such as ceramics and woodblock prints) from the pre-historic to the nineteenth-century period. 3 hours lecture. (000844)
HIST 350	America's Vietnam Experience	3.0	FA	GE
Focuses on America's Vietnam experience. Emphasis on the domestic and foreign policy repercussions of U.S. involvement, the mythological and symbolic components of the war, and its legacies. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (004546)
HIST 373	East Asia Before 1800	3.0	FA	GE GC
Cultural, economic, and political evolution of eastern Asia from antiquity to 1800. Emphasis on common traditional heritage of China and Japan. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004560)
HIST 374	East Asia After 1800	3.0	SP	GE GC
Cultural, economic, and political evolution of eastern Asia from 1800 to the present. Emphasis on the transformation of the traditional heritage of China and Japan through revolution and modernization. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004561)
HIST 475	Modern China	3.0	FA	GC
This course explores tradition and new trends in 18th and 19th century China, the Western impact and the Chinese response, the nationalist and the communist movements, changes in values and the society after 1949, and the ongoing economic reforms. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004661)
HIST 476	Modern Japan	3.0	SP	GC
History of Japan from the end of exclusion (about 1853) to the present, with emphasis on the modernization of Japan and the road to Pearl Harbor. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004660)
JAPN 330	Japanese Culture and Civilization	3.0	INQ	GC
An introduction to Japanese history and geography, as well as Japanese art forms, literature, philosophy, education, economy, customs, language, and politics. Course also includes a comparison of Japanese and American organizational theories. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000993)
PHIL 202	Philosophy East and West	3.0	FS	GE GC
A philosophical analysis of major ideas in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian thought and their relationship to basic philosophical developments in the west. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (007185)
RELS 110	Asian Religions	3.0	FS	GE GC
An introduction to the religions of the East: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (008128)
RELS 210	Chinese Religions	3.0	INQ
An exploration of the religious dimension of Chinese culture, with special attention to such figures as Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Mencius. 3 hours seminar. (008175)
RELS 212	Hinduism	3.0	FA	GE GC
A survey of Hinduism from its origins to the modern day, including philosophy, literature, popular temple worship, the role of feminine power, and modern fundamentalist and communal movement. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (008181)
RELS 213	Buddhism	3.0	FS	GE GC
A discussion of the roots and transformation of the Buddhist teachings in India, China, Japan, and Tibet. Special emphasis will be given to major trends and problems in contemporary Buddhism. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (008180)
RELS 366	Mysticism: East and West	3.0	SP
A comparative study of mysticism from both historical and thematic perspectives. Major figures and traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) will be reviewed as well as current theoretical debates in the study of mysticism. 3 hours seminar. (008185)

Group B: Social and Applied Sciences

6-9 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
AAST 152	Introduction to the Asian American Experience	3.0	INQ	GE USD
This course is also offered as SOCI 152. This course examines the Asian experience in the U.S. over the last 150 year by focusing on the experiences of different Asian ethnic groups. The focus is on early arrival and settlement, and contemporary issues in Asian American communities, including immigration, racism, and Asian American identity. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (000003)
ASST 200	Cultures of Asia	3.0	INQ	GE GC
This course is also offered as ANTH 200. An introduction to the people and cultures of Asia, emphasizing India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The course employs a multimediated approach to learning. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000523)
ECON 375	The Developing Countries	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103. This course surveys theoretical approaches and policy options to the problems of development and underdevelopment in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Agricultural transformations, industrial development, balance of payments problems, the role of foreign aid, direct foreign investment, the economic role of international institutions such as the World Bank, and other related topics are included in this course. 3 hours lecture. (002673)
ECON 376	Economics of the Pacific Rim	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ECON 101 or ECON 102 or faculty permission. A survey and analysis of economic development in the Pacific Rim and its linkages with politics, history, society, and foreign policy. Topics covered include trade, tariffs, subsidies, balance of payments, savings, investment, government deficits, environment, agricultural economics, and economic growth. 3 hours discussion. (002674)
INST 446D	International Relations of the Pacific Basin	3.0	SP
This course is also offered as POLS 446D. 3 hours lecture. (004873)
POLS 415D	Comparative Government: Asia	3.0	SP
An examination of the politics of Asia. Emphasis may vary among East, South-East, and South Asia. The study of the response of Asian political systems to the dual challenges of modernization and Western pressure will be combined with an analysis of contemporary political institutions and events. 3 hours lecture. (007535)
POLS 446D	International Relations of the Pacific Basin	3.0	SP
This course is also offered as INST 446D. 3 hours lecture. (004873)
POLS 447	Vietnam and Foreign Policy	3.0	S1
Analyzes the Vietnam War as a consequence of foreign policy. Emphasizes the structures, processes, and dynamics of policy design, implementation, and management, especially by the United States. 3 hours lecture. (007574)
SOCI 152	Introduction to the Asian American Experience	3.0	INQ	GE USD
This course is also offered as AAST 152. This course examines the Asian experience in the U.S. over the last 150 year by focusing on the experiences of different Asian ethnic groups. The focus is on early arrival and settlement, and contemporary issues in Asian American communities, including immigration, racism, and Asian American identity. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (000003)

Group C: Languages

6-8 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
CHNS 101	First-Semester Chinese	3.0	FS
Introduction to Chinese language and culture. Development of basic skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and awareness of cultural concepts. Emphasis of the course is on listening and speaking. About 100 Chinese characters are introduced for reading and writing. 9 hours independent study. (001956)
CHNS 102	Second-Semester Chinese	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHNS 101. Continuation of CHNS 101. Emphasis on the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Development of reading and writing ability using about 200 Chinese characters. Rapid expansion of vocabulary, basic grammatical structures, and understanding of cultural aspects in language use. 9 hours independent study. (001959)
CHNS 103	Third-Semester Chinese	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHNS 102. Reviewing and expanding of language skills introduced in Chinese 101 and 102. Emphasis on developing writing and reading. 9 hours independent study. (001962)
CHNS 104	Fourth-Semester Chinese	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHNS 103. Reviewing and expanding of language skills introduced in Chinese 101, 102, and 103. Further development of writing and reading. 9 hours independent study. (001965)
JAPN 101	First-Semester Japanese	4.0	FS	GE
Introduction to the Japanese language and culture. Emphasis on the development of fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with clear understanding of basic sentence structures. Acquisition of Hiragana and Katakana characters (phonetic symbols). 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (005334)
JAPN 102	Second-Semester Japanese	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: JAPN 101 or faculty permission. Continuation of JAPN 101. Special attention to different verb forms and essential auxiliary expressions. Appropriate language use in a variety of social settings. Acquisition of 110 Kanji characters (ideographic symbols). 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (005335)
JAPN 201	Third-Semester Japanese	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: JAPN 102 or faculty permission. Review of major grammatical structures and further development of the student's cultural awareness and proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese. Special attention to logical discourse development. Acquisition of 200 Kanji characters (ideographic symbols). 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (005336)
JAPN 202	Fourth-Semester Japanese	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: JAPN 201 or faculty permission. Continuation of review of major grammatical structures and further development of the student's cultural awareness and proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese. Special attention to refining and expanding discourse. Acquisition of 300 Kanji characters (ideographic symbols). 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (005337)

Note: Students who have taken 6-8 units of another language from an accredited program either in the United States or through study abroad should consult with the Asian Studies Coordinator regarding possible substitutions.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major, a minor, or study abroad in Asia.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Honors in Asian Studies

To be eligible for Honors in Asian Studies, students must have completed all courses for the major with a GPA of 3.5. They must complete two years of a foreign language or have established competency in an Asian language. Upon recommendation by a faculty member and after an interview, the student will take 6 units of ASST 499H, Senior Honors Thesis, culminating in a public presentation of the project. In addition, an Asian experience of some sort (e.g., an international study program, language study in Asia, a summer project or internship, etc.) is strongly encouraged.