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International Studies and Languages Division

Asian Studies

Collage of flags from Asian countries and the busy streets of Asia

About Asian Studies

Seaver College recognizes that in an age of increasing globalization, characterized by mass communication, international trade, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, mutual understanding and sensitivity to differing cultural perspectives is critical. In recent decades the states that occupy the Asian continent have seen enormous growth in their population, economic wealth, and strategic importance. International Studies & Language's Asian Studies department was established as a way to better understand Asian civilizations, as well as provide a broader context in which to understand our own Western cultural heritage.

Asian Studies offers courses in the history, literature, and traditions of the Asian civilizations. It also provides language instruction in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.

Through International Programs, students may spend a semester abroad in Shanghai.

Asian Studies oversees the Asian Specialization of the International Studies major as well as the Asian Studies minor.

Asian Studies Courses

(Please consult the Seaver Academic Catalog for course description information.)

Course ID Course Name Units
Lower Division Courses
ASIA 292 Special Topics 1-4
ASIA 299 Special Studies 1-4
Upper Division Courses
ASIA 301 Sources of Asian Tradition 4
ASIA 305 Survey of East Asia 4
ASIA 310 A Modern History of Japan 4
ASIA 325 Pre-Modern Japanese Literature 4
ASIA 330 History of Traditional Chinese Civilization 4
ASIA 331 History of Modern China 4
ASIA 340 Traditional Chinese Thought and Society 4
ASIA 341 Modern Chinese Thought and Society 4
ASIA 350 Buddhist Texts, Images, and Practices 4
ASIA 365 Japanese and Asian Film 4
ASIA 370 Modern Japanese Literature 4
ASIA 592 Selected Topics 1-4
ASIA 599 Directed Studies 1-4

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Japanese Courses

The course offerings in Japanese prepare a student to develop competency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Japanese.

(Please consult the Seaver Academic Catalog for course description information.)

Course ID Course Name Units
Lower Division Courses
JAPN 151 Elementary Japanese I 4
JAPN 152 Elementary Japanese II 4
JAPN 251 Second-Year Japanese I 4
JAPN 252 Second-Year Japanese II 4
JAPN 292 Special Topics 1-4
JAPN 299 Special Studies 1-4
Upper Division Courses
JAPN 592 Selected Topics 1-4
JAPN 599 Directed Studies/Further Japanese Language Study 1-4

In addition to the courses listed above, the Asian Studies curriculum also offers students the opportunity to study Japanese culture, history, and literature through additional courses.

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Chinese Courses

The course offerings in Chinese prepare a student to develop competency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese.

(Please consult the Seaver Academic Catalog for course description information.)

Course ID Course Name Units
Lower Division Courses
CHIN 151 Elementary Chinese I 4
CHIN 152 Elementary Chinese II 4
CHIN 251 Second-Year Chinese I 4
CHIN 252 Second-Year Chinese II 4
CHIN 292 Special Topics 1-4
CHIN 299 Special Studies 1-4
Upper Division Courses
CHIN 592 Selected Topics 1-4
CHIN 599 Directed Studies/Further Chinese Language Study 1-4

In addition to the courses listed above, the Asian Studies curriculum also offers students the opportunity to study Chinese culture, history, and literature through additional courses.

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