Asian Studies

There's no question about the influence Asia has had on world history, as the birthplace of four major religions, written language, cartography and everything from gunpowder to paper.

Union's Asian Studies program focuses on the language, culture and art of Asia, with emphasis on China and Japan. Our incredibly diverse faculty members offer courses in many disciplines across the spectrum of the humanities and social sciences—contributing their expertise and passions in everything from music and art history to economics and political science.

Islamic Art and Architecture. Discourses on the Vietnam War. The Turbulent History of Modern Asia. You will select from these and some 70 other courses as you learn both social scientific and humanistic ways of viewing and analyzing the world. You also will develop your individual interests by concentrating on courses that explore a related theme, such as ancient Chinese civilizations, Japan or Asia as a global force.

You’ll learn from faculty from a variety of departments and programs, including anthropology, art history, economics, English, history, modern languages and literatures, music and political science. Our classes are small and promote an atmosphere of collaboration and persona exploration.

There is no better way to understand Asia and develop global citizenship than through intensive language and cultural immersion. The Asian Studies program works closely with the International Programs Office to offer full-term study abroad programs in China (Shanghai), Japan (Tohoku), Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as mini-terms in Bali, Cambodia, China (Tianjin) and India. Students are strongly encouraged to engage with Asian peoples and global culture through such firsthand experience abroad.