Asian Studies

Description

How did China become an economic powerhouse? How did Japan rise to technological prominence? What dynamics caused North Korea to become a nuclear threat? Asian countries possess unprecedented economic, technological, geopolitical, and military influence. This multi-disciplinary major assesses the region’s complex history and future. By majoring in Asian Studies, you’ll be poised for a career in economics, law, government, or international relations.

This immersive major weaves together coursework that explores every aspect of the Asian experience. You’ll become an expert in the evolution of Asia from ancient times to the modern day, told through economics, history, literature, philosophy, politics, and religion. You’ll also master at least one Asian language.

The experience transcends classroom work: Suffolk is also home to the world-class Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Institute for East Asian Studies, which attracts distinguished intellectuals from around the world for lectures, film screenings, and discussions. The institute will play a dynamic part in your studies.

Global Perspective, Local Advantage

Boston is home to one of the fastest-growing Asian-American communities in the United States, and our campus is minutes from one of the country’s largest Chinatowns. You’re urged to use the city as a classroom—engaging directly with the school and the city’s cultural groups on a volunteer, extracurricular, and academic basis. The Rosenberg Institute has affiliations with many of these urban groups, including:

• The Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence

• The Historical Society of New England

• The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

• The Primary Source educational and cultural nonprofit

Faculty will also work with you to design a study abroad program for your junior year. You’ll live and work in an Asian country and grow to understand the culture, history, language, and origins of its people. Sound exciting?

Asian Studies is a multidisciplinary program that offers courses in the humanities and social sciences with a focus on Asia, a fast-growing dynamic region that is playing an increasingly important role in economics, politics, and world affairs today. Students in the Asian Studies major will gain a sound understanding of the history, politics, economics, philosophy, cultures and languages of Asian societies and nations.

Students in the major will each have a thematic emphasis or an area emphasis based on their own individual interests. They are also required to master at least one Asian language at the intermediate-level. In addition, students are required to study abroad or, with the permission of the Program Director, have an alternative Asian-American community experience in the Greater Boston area.

Students who graduate with a major in Asian Studies will:

• Have a general knowledge about the academic discipline of the study of Asia, and a substantial understanding about the chosen theme or area through courses in the concentrated area of study

• Have an understanding of the significance of Asia in relation to the U.S. and the world, both in the past and in the twenty-first century

• Be able to demonstrate intermediate-level competence in an Asian language in reading, writing, and speaking and develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to the language

• Have a direct experience with Asian culture through study abroad or an Asian American community project

Detailed Course Facts

• USD 16265 Semester (National)

Full-time: 12-17 credits per semester $16,265

Students must complete a minimum of 126 credits for graduation.

• English

Course Content

• AS-100 Introduction to Asian Studies: Culture, People, Ideas

  Credits:

  4.00

  Description:

  An interdisciplinary introduction to Asian Studies will touch upon the history, politics, economics, philosophy, geography, arts, and cultures of Asia. Sample topics include political economy, religious and cultural exchanges, international relations, Asian experience in America, and the role of Asia in the twenty-first century. Students will develop conceptual frameworks for exploring the subjects covered by the Asian Studies curriculum.

  Term:

  Offered Fall Term

  Type:

  Asian Studies,Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement,Divers

• AS-210 Traditional Chinese Society From 1800 to 1949

  Credits:

  4.00

  Description:

  This course focuses on traditional Chinese society from 1800 to 1949, taking up such areas as family and kinship, social mobility, education, economic and social differentiation, community and social life, and popular belief. Examining the practices and ideologies underlying each area will enhance our understanding of the nature of traditional Chinese society, and help explain how elements of Chinese traditional culture contribute to modern Chinese identity and everyday life.

  Term:

  Occasional

• AS-220 Chinese Food in America

  Credits:

  4.00

  Description:

  There are more Chinese restaurants in the U.S. than MacDonald's, Burger Kings and KFC'S combined. This course examines the unique American phenomenon of Chinese food from a historical and anthropological viewpoint. Students will gain a better appreciation and understanding of the subject through the course and will probably never look at local Chinese takeout the same way afterwards.

  Type:

  Asian Studies

• AS-500 Asian American Community Experience

  Credits:

  4.00

  Description:

  This course facilitates students' exposure to Asian American communities and enhances their knowledge of diverse Asian cultures through research projects and service activities or an internship. Students will study under the guidance of the Director of the Major program and/or a faculty member as well as work with a community organization or service agency for a semester. They will engage in specific projects or an internship in collaboration with the assigned organization or agency to understand the cultural values and current issues relating to Asian populations. They will complete required hours as per the arrangement with the site and submit a comprehensive service/research report on their learning process and critical reflection of their experience at the end of the semester.

  Term:

  Offered Both Fall and Spring

  Type:

  Expanded Classroom Requirement

• AS-510 Independent Study

English Language Requirements

TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 77

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

We do not use specific minimums for scores or grades in the decision process, but weigh all factors together to gain a whole view of you and your potential for success as a Suffolk University student:

• Level and range of high school courses selected
• Grades achieved (official high school transcript with senior year grades)
• SAT or ACT scores (our code is 3771)
• Recommendations (two required; one from a guidance counselor, one from a teacher)
• The essay
• Other required forms
• Admission interview (optional)
• Transfer students should view the transfer requirements page for more details.

In high school, you should have completed:

• Four units of English
• Three units of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
• Two units of science (at least one with a lab)
• Two units of language
• One unit of American history
• Four units distributed among other college preparatory electives

We may also consider other factors in the review process, such as:

• Class rank
• Honors courses
• AP courses

We are also very interested in personal qualities that will offer us further insights into you as an applicant, including:

• Admission interview
• Extracurricular involvement
• Community service
• Special interests

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Suffolk University.