Asian Studies

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Asian Studies Minor

The Asian Studies minor is designed to give students a broad, multi-disciplinary background in the society, politics, history and culture of Asian countries. Students may undertake this minor without having studied either of the two Asian languages offered at Spelman, Chinese and Japanese, but we strongly suggest the completion of two years of language study in one of them. Minor classes must be in at least two different departments, must cover at least two different Asian countries, and must have a mix of 200, 300 and 400-level classes.

Asian figurine stone statues

Contact Info

Asian Studies Program

350 Spelman Lane, S.W.
Atlanta, GA. 30314

404-270-5650
tpavri@spelman.edu

Mon. - Fri. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Minor Requirements

To fulfill the Asian Studies minor, students must complete five classes for a total of 20 credit hours, including the required course Introduction to Asian Studies plus four classes selected from the list below. All courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.

* Courses have prerequisites
  • AS 200 Introduction to Asian Studies (required) (Crosslisted with the Political Science Department (PSC200)
  • Asia-related Internships for Paracurricular credit
  • Asia-related courses during Study Abroad
  • Chinese 345 Understanding Modern China
  • Chinese language courses at the 300-level or above
  • Directed Studies with individual faculty
  • *ECON 350 Japanese Economic Development
  • *ENG 424 Immigrant Women’s Literature
  • *ENG 433 Postcolonial Literature
  • ENG 437 Theorizing Brownness
  • HIS 343A Modern Japan History
  • SFLI/SFLC 200 Intro to Japan and China for Business and Travel
  • HIS 241 Survey of Traditional China and Japan
  • HIS 242 Survey of Modern China and Japan
  • HIS 343 Modern Chinese History
  • HIS 344 Women in Modern China
  • HIS 345 Asian Thought
  • Japanese language courses at the 300-level or above
  • PSC 210 International Politics and Film
  • PSC 342 Japan in Asia
  • PSC 344 Resurgences of Russian Foreign Policy
  • PSC 345 Government and Politics of India
  • PSC 420  China-Japan Relation with African Countries
  • Black Pacific Art and Visual Culture
  • *PHI 375 Taoism: Chinese Philosophy
  • REL 217 Intro to Bhagavad Gita
  • REL 270 Intro to Eastern Religious Traditions
  • REL 371 Introduction to Hinduism
  • The Crown:Politics of Monarchy - 15053 - SIS 422 - 01

AS 400 – DIRECTED STUDY
This course is open to minors who wish to engage in independent study in areas that course offerings do not cover. Under the guidance of an instructor, the student engages in comprehensive reading, writing and discussion. Permission of the instructor required.

Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to do the following:

  • Analyze the Asian region in terms of its historical, cultural and social connections and continuities
  • Identify Asia's role in the making of the modern world
  • Compare and contrast the similarities and differences among major Asian countries
  • Examine and explain the contemporary issues of economy, society and polity that face the major Asian countries

Program Director

Tinaz Pavri, Ph.D.

Founding Director, Asian Studies Program
Professor of Political Science
Division Chair, Social Sciences and Education
Spelman College, 219 Giles Hall
tpavri@spelman.edu

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