Undergraduates with an interest in Asia may pursue a major or minor in Asian Studies, as well as minors in Chinese Language or Japanese Language. Please consult the online schedule of classes for courses approved for credit in Asian Studies in a given semester.
Asian Studies draws from a broad range of courses in the liberal arts, including anthropology, art history, communication, English, film, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology.
Ten courses (minimum of 30 credits) are required for the major:
Students are required to take ASTC 1800 Introduction to Asian Studies
Students should demonstrate elementary proficiency or the equivalent of the first year of instruction in Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, or another Asian language in consultation with the Director of the Program by taking at least two language courses. A maximum of four language courses can be counted towards the major.
Please note that a Chinese or Japanese language course used to fulfill the core curriculum foreign language proficiency requirement cannot be counted toward this major.
They are encouraged to demonstrate breadth by taking at least one elective course concerning the East Asian region (i.e. China, Korea, or Japan), and at least one elective course outside of that region – for example, a class on Vietnam or Malaysia.
Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to locate, evaluate, and use research materials relevant to Asian Studies as evidenced by a 4000-level and above seminar.
Please note that upper level seminars can also be used to fulfill the geographic distribution requirement.
Asian Studies also offers students the option to pursue a China or Japan track within the major.
Students pursuing the China track within the Asian Studies major must complete five Chinese-related classes as part of the overall requirements for the major. At least two but no more than five Chinese language classes can count towards the major. At least two of these courses must be at or beyond the 3000-level. In addition, at least half of the required credits must be taken on the Tulane campus or through a Tulane approved off-campus program. Please note that a Chinese language course used to fulfill the core curriculum foreign language proficiency requirement cannot be counted toward this major.
Students pursuing the Japan track within the Asian Studies major must complete five Japanese-related classes as part of the overall requirements for the major. At least two but no more than five Japanese language classes can count towards the major. A minimum of two courses must be at or beyond the 3000-level. Please note that a Japanese language course used to fulfill the core curriculum foreign language proficiency requirement cannot be counted toward this major.
Students selecting a minor in Asian Studies must complete six classes (minimum 18 credit hours) from the approved Asian Studies course options, including ASTA 1800.
Students should demonstrate breadth by taking at least one elective course concerning the East Asian region (i.e. China, Korea, or Japan), and at least one elective course outside of that region – for example, a class on Vietnam or Malaysia.
Student may also count up to two Asian language courses towards the minor.
Students selecting a minor in Chinese Language must complete five Chinese language courses. Please note that a Chinese language course used to fulfill the core curriculum foreign language proficiency requirement cannot be counted toward this minor.
Incoming freshmen who are placed in ASTC 2040 and who are planning to pursue a minor in Chinese language are encouraged to take a proficiency test before the fall semester starts.
Students selecting a minor in Japanese Language must complete five Japanese language courses.
Please note that a Japanese language course used to fulfill the core curriculum foreign language proficiency requirement cannot be counted toward this minor.
Incoming students who are placed in ASTJ 2030 may not find enough classes offered to fulfill this minor.
1 This course is not offered year.
1 This course is not offered year.