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Asian Studies

Because Manhattanville believes a liberal arts education today should afford students the opportunity to explore and understand the non-western world, it has developed a program emphasizing the languages and cultures of Asia. The increasing importance of this region makes it imperative that students acquire a greater understanding of the ways of life of more than half of humanity. The program offers language courses in Chinese and Japanese as well as courses on the history, religions, and literature of China and Japan. The program also draws on courses dealing with Asia offered by such departments as art history, political science, religion, and sociology. Field trips to New York City, especially its museums, are a vital part of the program. Participation in internships and study abroad programs is encouraged.

Faculty and Professional Interests

Theresa Kelleher (Chair) – Asian religions and cultural history

Adjunct Faculty

Ping Wang Chi – Chinese language

Ann Imai Tarumoto – Japanese language

Yutaka Yamada – Japanese culture

Asian Studies Major Requirements

• Four semesters of either Chinese or Japanese language;
• Three history courses chosen from the four basic surveys of Chinese and Japanese history;
• Five other courses, four of which should be concentrated in one of the following areas: Japan; China; History and Politics; or Religion. Two of these five must be a 3000-level seminar which requires a research paper;
• Senior Evaluation OR participation in a Senior Honors Seminar.

Note: only those students who have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or better in major courses are eligible for this Seminar.

Senior Evaluation

The student must register for the 1-credit Senior Evaluation (ASN 3998) in either semester of senior year. In consultation with the Chair, student will review past course work and prepare for a two-hour comprehensive exam at the end of the semester.

Senior Honors seminar/Departmental Honors

To receive departmental honors, the student must have maintained a 3.5 or better G.P.A. in major courses, must register for Senior Honors seminar (ASN 3997) and produce a thesis with a minimum grade of B+.

Asian Studies Minor Requirements

Five courses taken in one of the following ways:

• Four semesters of Chinese plus one course on China;
• Four semesters of Japanese plus one course on Japan;
• One year of Chinese history plus two courses on China and one other Asian Studies course;
• One year of Japanese history plus two courses on Japan and one other Asian Studies course.

The department reserves the right to place the student in a language course commensurate with his or her abilities. Language courses are designed for the non-native speaker; students with an Asian language background are requested to undergo staff evaluation prior to enrolling in a language course.

Students must achieve at least a C - in a course to get credit for the major or minor.

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