Asian Studies
The Department of Asian Studies offers programs of study that lead to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts. The department also collaborates with Film Studies; International Relations; Linguistics; Museum Studies; Philosophy; Religion, Literature and the Arts; and Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
Please visit the Department for current offerings.
For information on advanced degrees see graduate Asian Studies.
The courses offered at the undergraduate level fall into two categories:
- Category 1: Courses on the contemporary and historical cultures of South, Southeast, and East Asia, that do not require knowledge of an Asian language (these are listed under the heading Asian Studies); and
- Category 2: Courses in language, including advanced reading courses, that introduce the student to literary, philosophical, and historical works in their original language (these courses are listed under the specific language headings).
Courses in category 1 are open to all students in the Faculty of Arts. Courses in category 2 are designed to provide the essential training for those who wish to proceed to further scholarly studies in the field of Asian Studies at the graduate level. However, in the more elementary courses, language training at the appropriate level is also provided for those who wish to obtain some knowledge of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or South Asian languages (Hindi-Urdu, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Persian) as part of their general education or with a view to later practical use.
Study of the necessary languages should begin as early as possible in a student's academic career. A good foundation in language studies is a prerequisite for admission to graduate studies. Those who do not have the necessary preparation when they apply will be asked to make up this deficiency.
Major in Asian Area Studies
The Major in Asian Area Studies requires 48 total credits of coursework, of which at least 30 must be upper-level credits.
Total ASIA credits: 27
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 12 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher (this may include up to 6 credits of CLCH or JAPN 422/423)
- 9 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total language credits: 12
- 12 credits: any ONE language offered in the department
ASIA or Language Option credits: 6
- 6 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher and/or 300-level or higher in the SAME language of study
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA Research Intensive Course
The Asian Area Studies Major may not be combined with the Major or Honours in Asian Language and Culture.
Major in Asian Language and Culture
The Major in Asian Language and Culture requires 48 total credits of prescribed coursework focused on a specific area of Asian language/culture.
The areas of focus available are:
- China
- Chinese Literature
- Japan
- Korea
- South Asia (focusing on one of Hindi-Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit)
Major in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: China
Total ASIA credits: 18*
*At least 9 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to China.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 9 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher
- 3 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total Classical Chinese credits: 3
- 3 credits: any CLCH course or CHIN 491/493
Total language (CHIN) credits: 24
- 12 credits: 300-level
- 12 credits: 400-level (excluding CHIN 491/493)
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA Research Intensive Course
Major in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Chinese Literature
Total ASIA credits: 21-24*
*At least 9 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to China, and at least 6 must be in a different cultural area.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 12-15 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher
- 3 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total Classical Chinese credits: 6
- 6 credits: any CLCH course or CHIN 491/493
Total language (CHIN) credits: 12-15
- 12-15 credits: 400-level (excluding 491/493)
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 6
- 6 credits: ASIA Research Intensive Courses
Major in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Japan
Total ASIA credits: 18-24*
*At least 9 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to Japan.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 9-15 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher (this may include up to 3 credits of CLCH)
- 3 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total language (JAPN) credits: 21-27
- 12 credits: 300-level
- 6 credits: JAPN 400 and JAPN 401
- 3-9 credits: 400-level
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA or JAPN Research Intensive Course
Major in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Korea
Total ASIA credits: 21-30*
*At least 9 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to Korea.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 12-21 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher
- 3 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total language credits: 15-24
- 6 credits: any East Asian language (CLCH, CHIN, JAPN, CNTO)
- 6-15 credits: KORN 300-level or higher
- 3 credits: KORN 400-level
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA or KORN Research Intensive Course
Major in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: South Asian Languages
South Asian Languages: PERS (Persian), PUNJ (Punjabi), HINU (Hindi-Urdu), SANS (Sanskrit)
Total ASIA credits: 21-30*
*At least 12 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to South Asia, and at least 3 credits must be in a different cultural area.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200-level
- 9-18 credits: ASIA 300-level or higher
- 6 credits: ASIA 400-level
Total language South Asian Language credits (300 or above): 15-24
If language is HINU, PERS or PUNJ:
- 6 credits: SANS 300-level (first year)
- 9-18 credits: 300-level or above, any other South Asian Language (PERS, PUNJ, HINU)
If language is SANS:
- 12 credits: SANS 300-level or above
- 3-12 credits: other South Asian Language (PERS, PUNJ, HINU) 200-level or above
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA Research Intensive Course
Minor in Asian Area Studies
The Minor in Asian Area Studies requires a total of 30 credits of coursework, as follows:
- 6 credits of one Asian language
- 24 credits of ASIA/CLCH courses, of which at least 18 must be at or above the 300-level
The Minor cannot be combined with:
- Major or Honours in Asian Language and Culture
- Major or Honours in Asian Area Studies
Minor in Asian Language and Culture
The Minor in Asian Language and Culture requires 30 total credits of coursework focused on a specific area of Asian language/culture.
The areas of focus available are:
- China
- Japan
- Korea
- South Asia (focusing on one of Hindi, Persian, Punjabi, or Sanskrit)
Below each area of focus is highlighted.
The Minor in Asian Language and Culture with a focus on China requires the completion of a total of 30 credits of coursework, as follows:
- 12-18 credits of CHIN and/or CNTO, of which 6 credits must be at or above the 300-level;
- 12-18 credits of ASIA/CLCH courses, of which at least 12 must be at or above the 300-level and related to China.
If the Major and Minor are in 2 different languages, the Minor can be combined with:
- Major or Honours in Asian Languages and Culture
- Major or Honours in Asian Area Studies
The Minor in Asian Language and Culture with a focus on Japan requires the completion of a total of 30 credits of coursework, as follows:
- 12 -18 credits of JAPN, of which 6 credits must be at or above the 300-level;
- 12 -18 credits of ASIA/CLCH courses, of which at least 12 must be at or above the 300-level and related to Japan.
If the Major and Minor are in 2 different languages, the Minor can be combined with:
- Major or Honours in Asian Languages and Culture
- Major or Honours in Asian Area Studies
The Minor in Asian Language and Culture with a focus on Korea requires the completion of a total of 30 credits of coursework, as follows:
- 12 -18 credits of KORN, of which 6 credits must be at or above the 300-level;
- 12 -18 credits of ASIA/CLCH courses, of which at least 12 must be at or above the 300-level and related to Korea.
If the Major and Minor are in 2 different languages, the Minor can be combined with:
- Major or Honours in Asian Languages and Culture
- Major or Honours in Asian Area Studies
The Minor in Asian Language and Culture with a focus on South Asia requires the completion of a total of 30 credits of coursework, as follows:
- 12 -18 credits of any of SANS, HINU, PERS, or PUNJ, 6 credits of which must be at or above the 300-level;
- 12 -18 credits of ASIA courses, of which at least 12 must be at or above the 300-level and related to South Asia.
If the Major and Minor are in 2 different languages, the Minor can be combined with:
- Major or Honours in Asian Languages and Culture
- Major or Honours in Asian Area Studies
Honours Program in Asian Studies
The Honours program is designed to provide preparation for outstanding students who intend to pursue graduate studies. Admission to the Honours program is by permission of the Department and requires that students demonstrate a strong overall performance in recently completed departmental courses with a particular focus on either cultural content courses (ASIA) or language-based courses (JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, SANS, HINU, PUNJ, PERS) depending on program of study.
Honours in Asian Area Studies
Total ASIA credits: 33
- 6 Credits: ASIA 200 level
- 12 Credits: ASIA 300 level or higher (this may include up to 6 credits of CLCH or JAPN 422/423)
- 12 Credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total language credits: 12
- 12 Credits: Of any ONE language offered in the department
ASIA or Language Option credits: 6
- 6 Credits: ASIA 300 level or higher AND/OR 300 level or higher in the SAME language of study
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 Credits: ASIA Research Intensive course
Total additional credits: 12
- 12 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and/or INDO.
The Honours in Asian Area Studies may not be combined with a Major or Honours in Asian Language and Culture.
Honours in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: China
Total ASIA credits: 24*
*at least 9 upper-level (300+) credits must be related to China.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200 level
- 9 credits: ASIA 300 level or higher
- 6 credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total Classical Chinese credits: 3
- 3 credits: Any CLCH course or CHIN 491/493
Total language (CHIN) credits: 24
- 12 credits: 300 level
- 12 credits: 400 level (excluding CHIN 491/493)
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA Research Intensive course
Total additional credits: 6
- 6 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and/or INDO.
Honours in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Chinese Literature
Total ASIA credits: 27-30*
*at least 9 upper level (300+) credits must be related to China, and at least 6 must be in a different cultural area.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200 level
- 12-15 credits: ASIA 300 level or higher
- 6 credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total Classical Chinese credits: 6
- 6 credits: Any CLCH course or CHIN 491/493
Total language (CHIN) credits: 12-15
- 12-15 credits: 400 level (excluding 491/493)
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 6
- 6 credits: ASIA Research Intensive courses
Total additional credits: 6
- 6 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and/or INDO.
Honours in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Japan
Total ASIA credits: 24-30*
*at least 9 upper level (300+) credits must be related to Japan.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200 level
- 9-15 credits: ASIA 300 level or higher (this may include up to 3 credits of CLCH)
- 6 credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total language (JAPN) credits: 21-27
- 12 credits: 300 level
- 6 credits: JAPN 400 and JAPN 401
- 3-9 credits: 400 level
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA or JAPN Research Intensive course
Total additional credits: 6
- 6 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and/or INDO.
Honours in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: Korea
Total ASIA credits: 27-36*
*at least 9 upper level (300+) credits must be related to Korea.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200 level
- 12-21 credits: ASIA 300 level or higher
- 6 credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total Language credits: 15-24
- 6 credits: Any East Asian Language (CHIN, CLCH, CNTO, JAPN)
- 6-15 credits: KORN 300 level or higher
- 3 credits: KORN 400 level
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA or KORN Research Intensive course
Total additional credits: 6
- 6 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and/or INDO.
Honours in Asian Language and Culture - Area of Focus: South Asian Languages
South Asian Languages: PERS (Persian), PUNJ (Punjabi), HINU (Hindi), SANS (Sanskrit)
Total ASIA credits: 27-36*
*at least 12 upper level (300+) credits must be related to South Asia, and at least 3 credits must be in a different cultural area.
- 6 credits: ASIA 200 level
- 9-18 credits: ASIA 300 level or higher
- 9 credits: ASIA 400 level
- ASIA 499 - Honours Thesis
Total South Asian Language credits (300 or above): 15-24
- If language is HINU, PERS or PUNJ:
- 6 credits: SANS 300 level (first year)
- 9-18 credits: 300 level or above, any other South Asian Language (HINU, PERS, PUNJ)
- If language is SANS:
- 12 credits: SANS 300-level or above
- 3-12 credits: Other South Asian Language (HINU, PERS, PUNJ) 200 level or above
Total R (Research Intensive) credits: 3
- 3 credits: ASIA Research Intensive course
Total additional credits: 6
- 6 credits of upper level courses taught in the department, such as ASIA, JAPN, KORN, CHIN, CNTO, CLCH, PERS, PUNJ, HINU, SANS, and or INDO.
