So you’re considering a major in Asian Studies…?

Excellent! We’d love to have you as an undergraduate major in our program! The Asian Studies program at the University of Oregon has a long history of offering interdisciplinary learning opportunities to students from all over the world interested in Asian Studies.

Students who major in Asian Studies often complement their course work with a year or more of residence in Asia. Many students double major to combine a profession with their area of expertise. Job possibilities are increasing in such fields as business, journalism, government and education. Many students go on to do graduate studies.

As a major, students will choose a Regional Focus, taking History, Social Science, and Humanities courses within that Regional Focus. Students will also choose a Thematic Focus and take elective courses in Asian Studies related to that Thematic Focus.

Major Requirements

1. ASIA 350, “What is Asia?” (4 credits) – Required Course for All Asian Studies Majors.
   • This course is an interdisciplinary seminar designed to introduce students to current theoretical debates about Asia, modernization, and area studies.
2. Regional Focus Coursework*
   • History (8 credits)
     • Two courses related to chosen Regional Focus, usually with “HIST” prefix.
   • Social Sciences (8 credits)
     • Two Social Science courses related to chosen Regional Focus.
   • Humanities (8 credits)
     • Two Humanities courses related to chosen Regional Focus.
3. Thematic Focus Courses (12 credits)
   • Three courses related to Asian Studies in one discipline or theme. Thematic Focus courses do not need to be in the chosen Regional Focus.
4. Regional Breadth Course (4 credits)
   • One course in Asian Studies outside of the chosen Regional Focus; may include lower-division language courses of a second Asian language.
5. Language Requirement – Two years of a language related to the chosen Regional Focus.
6. Other Elective Courses (at least 4 credits)

*Up to 15 credits of upper-division (300 or 400-level) Asian language courses related to the Regional Focus may be used toward either the Social Science or Humanities requirement.

Other Asian Studies Major Requirement Notes:

• 48 credits total are required for the Asian Studies major.
• 40 of the 48 credits must be upper-division (300 or 400-level).
• 40 of the 48 credits must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C- or better. (Up to 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass.)

Steps for Declaring & Completing a Major in Asian Studies

Step 1: Choose a Regional Focus. Pick a Regional Focus where a language you want to study is spoken, because the Language Requirement for the major encourages you to take two years of a language related to your chosen Regional Focus.

Click each option to see a list of currently approved courses for each Regional Focus:

• China
• Japan
• Korea
• Southeast Asia
• South Asia

Step 2: Choose a Thematic Focus. We’ve compiled course lists for the following options:

• Art
• Economics & Business
• Film
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Pop Culture
• Religion
• War & International Relations

If you have another idea for a thematic focus not listed here, prepare a list of Asian Studies-related courses also related to the theme you’re considering and bring that to your next advising meeting for consideration!

Step 3: Meet with an Advisor to put together a Planner – Your Planner will help you map out how you can meet major requirements. Click here to download a blank Asian Studies Major Planner form.

Step 4: Fill out and submit the “Add Major” form on our website.

Step 5: Sign up for classes and complete the degree requirements! Here are some tips to guide you on your way:

• Take ASIA 350 as soon as makes sense for your schedule.
• Get started early on your language courses.
• Carefully read departmental communications regarding course offerings.
• Make sure you enroll in upper-division (300 or 400-level courses) – 40 out of 48 credits for the Asian Studies major need to be upper division courses.
• Review our “Courses” page for course lists each term.
• Reach out if you have questions! See our Advising page for details on connecting with an advisor for your Asian Studies major. Meet with an advisor once a term or at least once a year to go over any questions you have.