2011-2012 Academic Catalog

Nov 23, 2024

2011-2012 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Asian Studies Major

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Overview

Undergraduate Program

Asian Studies is a newly approved interdisciplinary major (beginning Fall 2010) that straddles the social sciences, humanities, arts, and business. At Clark, students who major in Asian Studies develop not only their analytical skills; they also gain in-depth knowledge concerning the history, politics, and culture of different Asian countries. Students will also develop linguistic proficiency in Asian language, usually either Chinese or Japanese. Our core program faculty includes experts on China, Japan, mainland Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The program reflects the growing importance of Asia, rising public interest in Asia, and the undeniably central role of Asia in the world economy and in world affairs today.

Program Faculty

Yuko Aoyama, Ph.D.
Ya-chen Chen, Ph.D.
Ken MacLean, Ph.D.
Paul Ropp, Ph.D.
Srinivasan Sitaraman, Ph.D.
Alice Valentine, M.A.

Adjunct Faculty

Sarah Buie, M.F.A.
Jude Fernando, Ph.D.
William Fisher, Ph.D.
SunHee Kim Gertz, Ph.D.
Betsy P. Huang, Ph.D.
Stephen M. Levin, Ph.D.
Douglas Little, Ph.D.
Thomas Massey, Ph.D.
Shelly Tenenbaum, Ph.D.

Courses

Program Requirements

Major

Asian Studies is a newly approved interdisciplinary major (beginning Fall 2010) that straddles the social sciences, humanities, arts, and business. At Clark, students who major in Asian Studies develop not only their analytical skills, they also gain in-depth knowledge concerning the history, politics, and culture of different Asian countries. Students will also develop linguistic proficiency in Asian language, usually either Chinese or Japanese. Our core program faculty includes experts on China, Japan, mainland Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

The new major reflects the growing importance of Asia, rising public interest in Asia, and the undeniably central role of Asia in the world economy and in world affairs today. Prior to Fall 2010, students interested in Asian Studies could complete the requirements for a concentration (interdisciplinary minor) in Asian Studies. Beginning in the Fall 2010, students will be able to major in Asian Studies.

Requirements for the major

Overview

Students majoring in Asian Studies are expected to take 12 courses, at least four of which will be completed in one of Clark’s study-abroad programs in Asia. Of the 12 courses, at least five must be at the 200 level. Students may specialize in China, Japan, or more broadly across Asia (including East, South, and Southeast Asia).

Language Requirement

Students are expected to gain a functional level of literacy in the language of their area of specialization. Students specializing in China or Japan are expected to complete at least the equivalent of advanced Chinese or Japanese at Clark plus at least one semester in China or Japan as part of Clark’s Study Abroad Program. A student studying Southeast Asia is required to study a major Southeast Asian language, either through locally available instructors or as part of a Study Abroad Program. Asian language courses above the beginning level (101-102) can be counted as part of the required 12 courses for the major. Students specializing in China or Japan must take at least three courses on countries or regions of Asia different from their country of specialization.

Complementary Minor or Second Major

Since Asian Studies is interdisciplinary by definition, we require that all students majoring in Asian Studies also fulfill a minor (or a second major) in an established department that is closely related to the student’s area of interest. This is to ensure that Clark Asian Studies majors also have basic competence in an established discipline, which will improve their chances both for employment, admission to post-graduate programs, and/or other international career opportunities.

Directed Study

Students may also pursue directed study projects under the supervision of an Asian Studies faculty member in their area of interest or specialization. Students need to individually approach faculty members to consult on their research and study plans.

Study-Abroad

Asian Studies majors are required to take at least one semester of study abroad in Asia to fulfill their requirement for the major.

We offer seven related study-abroad programs:

three in Australia (Murdoch University in Perth, University of Tasmania, and School for Field Studies in northeast Australia),
two in China (CET language program in Beijing and CET internship program in Shanghai),
one in Japan (Kansai Gaidai) and
one in Vietnam (CET).

Worcester Consortium Asian Studies Courses

In addition to Clark’s study abroad and on-campus offerings in Asian Studies, Clark students are encouraged to take Asian Studies courses through the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. Several consortium colleges offer courses on Asian Studies, and they have a rich array of courses in South Asian art and religion, Asian philosophy, Southeast Asian cultural anthropology, Chinese language and literature (including literary Chinese), political economy of China, and Chinese and Japanese history.