The Asian Studies Program offers opportunities for those students who wish to focus on a variety of the diverse societies within the major cultural areas of Asia (Southwest and Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia, and East Asia) through the study of geography, history, peoples, religious and other cultural traditions, and languages.
The Asian Studies Program is administered through the Liberal Studies Program. Interested students must majorin Liberakl Studies with an option in Asian Studies. In addition to select Liberal Studies courses, students will also choose from specified courses offered from many departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, such as Southwest and Central Asias Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, and the Mike Mansfield Center.
Students interested in the Asian Studies option within Liberal Studies should consult and register with the chair of the Asian Studies program. the current chair is Dr. Bradley Clough (LA 158, ext. 2837, bradley.clough@mso.umt.edu). Depending on their particular interestes, students will also consult with other Asian studies faculty, in order to determine the most appropriate course of study. Students are encouraged to plan their course sequence at least one year in advance, in consultation with their assigned Asian Studies faculty advisor.
Major in Liberal Studies with an option in Asian Studies
The following requirements must be met to complete this program.
U=for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
U 106H The Silk Road 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Same as ANTH 106H and HSTR 146H. Introduction to the study of the human communities, cultures, and economies in Central and Southwest Asia along the ancient four thousand mile-long Silk Road.
U 195 Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 201 East Asian Civilizations 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as HSTR 240 (HIST 201H). An interdisciplinary, pluralist, and exploratory introduction to civilizations of East Asia. Primary focus on China, Japan, and Korea, the relations among them and their patterns of interaction with the outside world in pre-modern and modern periods.
U 210H Japanese Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as JPNS 130H (JPNS 210H), LS and MCLG 210H. The historical religious, artistic, literary and social developments in Japan from earliest times to the present.
U 211 Chinese Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as LS and MCLG 211. A comprehensive study of Chinese culture and civilization in the manifold aspects of anthropology, sociology, economics, history, literature, religion, and philosophy.
U 212S Southeast Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as LS and SOCI 212S (SOC 212H). Introduction to the history, geography, cultures, social organization, and contemporary events of Southeast Asia.
U 213X The Middle East 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Same as GPHY 245X (GEOG 213S) and LS 213X. A survey of the biophysical and cultural geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa. Emphasis on environmental change, pre-history, patterns of cultural and historical change, issues of socio-economic. religious, and political diversity, and the broader political significance of the region.
U 214 Central Asia: Peoples and Environments 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as HSTR 241 (HIST 214S), LS 214. Introduction to Central Asia's history, culture and ways of thinking. Focus on the political and social organization of Central Asia and cultural changes as expressed in art and interactions with China, India and the Middle East.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 345 Central Asia and Its Neighbors 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as HSTR 347 (HIST 346). Analysis of the human communities and cultures of Central and Southwest Asia, with particular emphasis on the importance of relationships with neighboring countries and civilizations since ancient times.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 402 Cities and Landscapes of Central Asia 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as HSTR 442 (HIST 402). Analysis of the main centers of civilization and culture, rich sites and monuments of Central Asia and Southwest Asia since ancient times.
UG 457 Artistic Traditions of Central and Southwest Asia 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Same as HSTR 459 (HIST 457). Analysis of the study of human artistic creativity and scientific innovations of various cultures in Central and Southwest Asia since ancient times.
UG 495 Problems in Asian Studies Variable cr. (R-12) Seminar designed for students with an option in Asian Studies. Regional or temporal focus may vary, depending on the discipline and expertise of the instructor.
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