Instructional and Research Facilities and Programs Center for Pacific Islands Studies Center for South Asian Studies Center for Southeast Asian Studies Asian Studies |
Asian StudiesMoore 416 Faculty*Graduate Faculty *M. Aung-Thwin, PhD (Chair)—history, Southeast Asia (Burma) Cooperating FacultyAll graduate faculty who are specialists and offer courses related to the six area centers within Asian studies serve as cooperating faculty in Asian studies. Faculty related to the area centers—the centers for China, Korea, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, South Asia, and Southeast Asia—number more than 300; they are too numerous to list here, but they can be found under departmental listings. Degrees and Certificates Offered: BA in Asian studies, MA in Asian studies, Graduate Certificates in Chinese studies, Japanese studies, Korean studies, Philippine studies, South Asian studies, and Southeast Asian studies The Academic ProgramAsian studies (ASAN) is concerned with the people and countries in the broad arc of Asia extending from Afghanistan in the west to China, Japan, and Korea in the east and including the Philippines and other islands and peninsulas of Southeast Asia to the south. In cooperation with other departments of UH Manoa, the Asian studies program offers an opportunity for students to concentrate on the interdisciplinary study of an Asian country or region. Emphasis is placed on learning the language of the chosen area, giving an opportunity for area study and language to progress together. The growing importance of Asia in the U.S. and in the economy, government and politics, diplomacy, and the arts will relate directly to the academic programs linked to Asian studies. UH Manoa has made a commitment to the study of Asia far greater than any other university in terms of numbers of languages taught, areas studied, and faculty specialists employed. This provides a unique opportunity to students interested in Asia. Interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs draw upon the rich resources for the study of Asia at UH Manoa. The Asian studies program offers courses of its own and also incorporates Asia-related courses taught in the various departments on campus, enabling each student to design a program of study tailored to his or her particular interests. Students in the program may select courses from Asian studies and the following disciplines: anthropology, art, economics, education, ethnic studies, geography, history, linguistics, literature, music, philosophy, political science, population studies, religion, sociology, theater and dance, urban and regional planning, and women’s studies. Competence in an Asian language appropriate to the student’s interests is considered fundamental, and the achievement of language proficiency by graduation is a required part of the graduate degree program. The graduate program is organized into the following areas: China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. AdvisingGraduate students are advised by the appropriate area director or designated faculty. Undergraduates majoring in Asian studies are advised by an undergraduate studies advisor. Undergraduate StudyBachelor’s DegreeThe undergraduate program in Asian studies is designed for students desiring a liberal arts education and a broad background in traditional and contemporary Asian cultures. Students seeking a BA in Asian studies must meet all the requirements for admission established by the School of Pacific and Asian Studies. Asian studies is normally declared as a major at the end of the sophomore year or beginning of the junior year though students may apply for admission to the program at any time. The formal declaration is made through the school’s Student Academic Services Office. Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Majors must also complete one of the following study plans: Plan 1:
Plan 2:
ASAN courses used to satisfy General Education Core requirements may not be used to satisfy major requirements or vice versa. Language study beyond the required level may count toward the major and is encouraged for Asian studies majors. Minor RequirementsThere are no required courses for acceptance into the Asian Studies minor program. Attendance in ASAN 201-202 (Introduction to Asian Studies) is recommended. Students must complete 15 credit hours including:
It is possible to focus on one particular country or region, such as China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Southeast Asia, or South Asia. The Asian studies undergraduate advisor will identify Asia-related courses in various disciplines and assist in planning schedules and preparing minor forms. Graduate StudyMaster’s DegreeThe master’s program in Asian studies is designed primarily for students who wish to focus their studies on a particular geographical and cultural region of Asia. Such an approach entails interdisciplinary study. The MA in Asian studies is offered in Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis). Although UH Manoa does not offer a PhD in Asian studies, Asia-focused PhD programs are available in anthropology, East Asian languages and literatures, economics, geography, history, linguistics, music, philosophy, political science, public health, sociology, theater, and tropical agriculture. Students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in any of these fields
should contact the appropriate department. Students without sufficient academic background in Asia-related course work may be required to take certain preparatory courses to make up this deficiency without credit toward the degree. Prospective students should note that the program requires successful completion of course work or demonstrable proficiency in an Asian language beyond the fourth-year level for students concentrating on Japan, at the fourth-year level for students concentrating on China or Korea, or the third-year level for students concentrating on the Philippines, South Asia or Southeast Asia. Students enrolling from an Asian country may have the foreign language requirement waived if they plan to concentrate on their native country or region. If they elect to concentrate on a country other than their own, they must fulfill the language requirement as previously stated. Plan A (Thesis) RequirementsThe MA Plan A degree in Asian studies requires the following:
Plan B (Non-thesis) Requirements
Certificate ProgramsGraduate CertificatesSPAS, through its Asia focused centers, offers graduate certificates in the following areas: Chinese studies, Korean studies, Japanese studies, Philippine studies, South Asian studies, and Southeast Asian studies. Regularly enrolled graduate students in non-Asian studies disciplines receive a certificate for completing a program of study that focuses on a particular Asian country or region. MA students in Asian studies also receive a certificate for completing studies in their area of concentration. Certificate Requirements
ASAN Courses |
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