Asian Studies

Overview

We live and study in an age in which major world cultures that were formerly assigned to particular geographic regions are recognized to have truly international, cross-sectional reach. Studying Asian historic civilizations and contemporary societies and economies is fascinating, meaningful and practical. 

At the University at Buffalo we offer a bachelor degree in Asian Studies. Several Asian languages are taught in the Department of Linguistics. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are each offered through the fourth-year. Undergraduate minors may be elected in these languages. UB students may also study Arabic, Hindi/Urdu, and Sanskrit.

Credits earned through study abroad in Asia, undertaking language study, non-language classes and graduate research can count toward Asian Studies major requirements.

Learning Outcomes

• Use primary and secondary sources to develop arguments and analysis­ including sources in a language other than their native language

• Speak, listen, read, and write proficiently in an Asian language other than their native language at the intermediate level or higher

• Analyze how specific historical developments, cultural norms, socioeconomic and geographic contexts, etc. have shaped perceptions, practices, and products of individuals in specific Asian cultures, including Asian diaspora in the United States

• Compare and contrast historical developments, traditions, practices, and structures of an Asian target country with those of the United States

• Demonstrate specialized, interdisciplinary knowledge of one Asian country or region (normally the country or region of the second language studied)

• Understand the terminology and methodologies of different disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia