Manhattanville College

Academic Catalog

Asian Studies

 

Introduction

Asia is one of the world’s most interesting and diverse regions. The continent is home to approximately sixty percent of the world’s population. It houses some of the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Asian countries are major players in world politics. Three of its countries are nuclear states, namely China, India, and Pakistan. One of the world’s most authoritarian states, North Korea, and the world’s largest democracy, India, are both Asian countries. And despite its flourishing democracies and booming economies, Asia is home to a number of ongoing conflicts – for example, in Afghanistan; North-West Frontier and Balochistan in Pakistan; Kurdish-Turkey conflict in Kurdistan; Myanmar; Thailand; Philippines; and Kashmir, separatist movements in Northeast India, and Naxalite-Maoist insurgencies in India.

Asia captured the world’s attention with the miraculous growth of its economic “tigers” – Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The region is a major player in the development scene. It is home to massive antipoverty initiatives. For example, BRAC, the world’s largest development organization, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the worlds’ premier research organization dedicated to reducing hunger through rice science, are located in Bangladesh and the Philippines respectively. It is therefore not surprising that the region continues to draw new college graduates into both the private as well as non-profit sectors.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts 

 Optional Minors

Students can choose to major or minor in Asian Studies 

Career Ideas

International Organization, Foreign Correspondent, Non-Profit, International Business, Market Research, Journalist, Anthropologist, Anti-terrorism Intelligence, Agent, Archaeologist, Professor, Foreign Language Translator, Foreign Services Officer, Historical Archivist, Museum Curator, Peace Corps Worker, Travel Agent, Travel Writer

Program Administrator

Nayma Qayum, Department Chair, (914) 323-1273, nayma.qayum@mville.edu

Overview

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 politics, economies, and cultures of Asia. The Asian Studies Department introduces students to the historical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of Asia. It provides students with the opportunity to complete an interdisciplinary major or minor, drawing on the expertise of faculty members across various departments. Students may choose from courses that include languages, Asia-specific content courses across the disciplines, and thematic courses that introduce students to non-Western discourses that are crucial to understanding the region. The department draws on courses across the disciplines offered by faculty members in other departments, such as art history, political science, religion, and sociology. Many of our majors and minors have studied abroad in Japan or China and welcome opportunities to return to these countries after graduating from college.

The college has several direct exchange programs for students wishing to study in Asia; please speak with the department chair and the study abroad office to learn more about these opportunities.

Faculty and Staff

FULL-TIME FACULTY
Nayma Qayum 

ADJUNCT FACULTY
Ann Imai Tarumoto, Japanese language 

Faculty and Professional Interests

Nayma Qayum (Chair) – South Asia, Collective Action, Conflict, Institutions

Adjunct Faculty

Ann Imai Tarumoto – Japanese language

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. Students can work with the department chair if they wish to concentrate in any other specific area. 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. The Chair may substitute required courses with other courses based on course offerings.

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.

Note: The Chair may substitute required courses with other courses based on course offerings.

Catalog Contents

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2016-2017 Undergraduate College Catalog

Manhattanville College Mission

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy

Letter to Parents

Brief History of Manhattanville: History and Educational Commitment

Inventory of Undergraduate Programs

Inventory of Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs List

Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements)

Full-Time Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Graduation Participation Requirements

Registration Requirements & Online Student Resources

Official & Unofficial Transcripts

Types of Courses

Transfer Credit Policy

Credit Hour Policy

Withdrawal and Leave of Absence Policies

Grading and Grading Policies

Honors Options

Bachelor Degrees in Accelerated Format

Pre-Professional Studies

Off-Campus Study

English Language Institute (ELI)

Educational Support

Library Information Services

Facilities and Resources

Dual Degree Programs

Master of Fine Arts in Writing & Master of Liberal Arts Programs

School of Education Graduate Programs

Course Offerings

African Studies Courses

American Studies Courses

Anthropology Courses

Art History Courses

Art (studio) Courses

Asian Studies Courses (WLL Lang Courses)

Biology Courses

Chemistry Courses

Communication & Media Courses

Castle Scholars Courses

Classic Civilizations Courses (WLL)

Dance & Theatre Courses

Accounting/Economics/Finance/Management Courses

Education Courses

English Composition Courses

English Education Courses

Health & Wellness Education Courses

English Literature Courses

English Film Studies Courses

English Creative & Professional Writing Courses

French Courses (WLL)

First Year Program Courses

German Courses (WLL)

History Courses

Holocaust Studies Courses

Organizational Management & Human Resource Development (Graduate Program) Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

International Studies Courses

Irish Studies Courses

Italian Courses (WLL)

Library Skills Courses

Business Leadership (Graduate Program) Courses

Computer Science Courses

Mathematics Education Courses

Mathematics Courses

Finance (Graduate Program) Courses

MGPS Master of Science Courses (Graduate Program)

Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy (Graduate Program Courses)

Physical Education Courses (Undergraduate)

Sport Business Management (Graduate Program) Courses

International Management (Graduate Program) Courses

Marketing Communication Management (Graduate Program) Courses

Museum Studies

Applied Music Courses

Music Technology Courses

Music Education Courses

Music History & Literature Courses

Music Management Courses

Music Theory Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physics Courses

Political Science & Legal Studies Courses

Psychology Courses

Science Education Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Social Studies Education Courses

World Religion Courses

Women's and Gender Studies Courses

Admissions

Athletics

Student Affairs

Tuition and Fees

Financial Assistance

Student Complaint and Concern Procedures

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Faculty and Staff

Index