Asian Studies

Asian Studies Steering Committee: Chuen Fung-Wong (Director, Music), Catherine Chang (Geography), Erik W. Davis (Religious Studies), Liang Ding (Economics), Arjun Guneratne (Anthropology), James Laine (Religious Studies), Satoko Suzuki (Asian Languages and Cultures), Xin Yang (Asian Languages and Cultures), Holly Barcus (Geography), Kari Shepherdson-Scott (Art and Art History), Arthur Mitchell (Asian Languages and Cultures), Rivi Handler-Spitz (Asian Languages and Cultures), Karin Aguilar-San Juan (American Studies), Pamela Klasova (Classical Mediterranean and Middle East), kt shorb (Theater and Dance), Christina Hughes (Sociology), Jake Nagasawa (American Studies), Rupak Shrestha (Geography), Sumeet Patwardhan (Philosophy).

Macalester College’s Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that weaves together the social sciences, the humanities, and the fine arts. We bring multiple perspectives to bear on the challenges of understanding Asia and the cultural, political, economic, and historical forces that have shaped it. Our Asian Studies major and minor programs prepare students for professional careers, graduate studies, competitive fellowships, and community-based work in Asia and beyond. We offer many Study Away opportunities in China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.

General Distribution Requirement

ASIA 112 , ASIA 113 , ASIA 123 , ASIA 124 , ASIA 127 , ASIA 140 , ASIA 236 , ASIA 241 , ASIA 244 , ASIA 254 , ASIA 258 , ASIA 260 , ASIA 274 , ASIA 275 , ASIA 276 , ASIA 277 , ASIA 283 , ASIA 315 , ASIA 378 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities; ASIA 205 , ASIA 269 , ASIA 270 , ASIA 272 , ASIA 273 , ASIA 327 , and ASIA 350 count toward the fine arts distribution requirement; and ASIA 150 , ASIA 220 , ASIA 256 , ASIA 282 , ASIA 320 , ASIA 336 count toward the general distribution requirement in social science.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism, and U.S. identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration each semester. Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The Asian Studies program participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the program are available from either the program office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Topics Courses

ASIA 194, ASIA 294, ASIA 394, ASIA 494

Occasional courses on Asian Studies topics offered from time to time by program and visiting Asian studies faculty, such as HIST 194 Introduction to the History of South Asia. To be announced at registration.