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General Requirements for the Minor

General university degree requirements stipulate that 1) at least four units of the major or three units of the minor be taken in residence at Puget Sound; 2) students earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken for the major or the minor; and 3) all courses taken for a major or minor must be taken for graded credit. Any exceptions to these stipulations are indicated in the major and minor degree requirements listed below.

Requirements for the Majors

Each major consists of 10 units.

  1. Courses taken for a Chinese/Japanese major may not be used to satisfy requirements for a second Chinese/Japanese major or a minor. However, up to two literature/culture courses taken for a Chinese/Japanese major may be applied to the minor in Asian Studies.
  2. Only courses in which a student has received a grade of C- or better may be counted toward the major.
  3. Each student must coordinate their program with an Asian Studies faculty member. Variation of requirements is possible, as arranged by petition to the Director of Asian Studies.

Chinese and Japanese Majors

The goals of the language curriculum are based on the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Each major is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in language and culture through intensive language training and broad exposure to the cultural traditions of China and Japan. The curriculum systematically prepares students through highly structured and interactive classroom instruction and a wide variety of learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

Students who graduate with a Chinese or Japanese Major:

  1. Communicate effectively with native speakers of Chinese and/or Japanese in a variety of situations using culturally appropriate language.
  2. Read and understand the gist of authentic materials, such as news summaries and short essays, with the aid of dictionaries and other resources.
  3. Write expository and expressive essays in the target language on a variety of topics.
  4. Implement tools to become independent, self-sufficient learners of the target language beyond the classroom.
  5. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the literary and cultural traditions of China and/or Japan, and understand those traditions within the East Asian and world contexts.
  6. Analyze and discuss coherently Chinese and/or Japanese literary and cultural works.
  7. Write logically and clearly in English about Chinese and/or Japanese literary and cultural traditions.
  8. Apply critical thinking, research and learning skills to be successful in their academic, professional and personal lives after graduation.

Requirements for the Major in Chinese Language and Culture (BA)

  1. Six units in Chinese language, of which at least one must be at the 400 level and taken on the Tacoma campus.
  2. Four units of Chinese culture, of which at least two must be at the 300 level or above, taken on the Tacoma campus. Of the four, at least three must be chosen from the following courses: ARTH 367, 369; ASIA 225, 325, 345; CONN 305; HIST 245, 343, 344; IPE 388; PG 378, 379; PHIL 305; REL 234; SOAN 309. An additional unit may be chosen from the following courses: ARTH 278, 370, 371; ASIA 205; HIST 349; HUM 330; PG 323; REL 332; SOAN 205; 395.

Requirements for the Major in Japanese Language and Culture (BA)

  1. Six units in Japanese language, of which at least one must be at the 300 level and taken on the Tacoma campus.
  2. Four units of Japanese culture, of which at least two must be at the 300 level or above, taken on the Tacoma campus. Of the four, at least three must be chosen from the following courses: ARTH 368; ASIA 310, 320, 330, 340; HIST 248; PG 372; REL 233, 300, 328; SOAN 304. An additional unit may be chosen from the following courses: ARTH 278, 370, 371; ASIA 205; HIST 349; HUM 330, 335; PG 323; REL 332; SOAN 205.

Requirements for the Major in Japanese Language and Literature (BA)

  1. Seven units in Japanese language, of which one must be either JAPN 401, 405, 407, 409, or 420.
  2. Three units from the following: ASIA 205, 310, 320, 330.

Chinese and Japanese Minors

As with the Chinese/Japanese majors, the goals of the language curriculum are based on the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Each minor is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in language through intensive language training. The curriculum systematically prepares students through highly structured and interactive classroom instruction and a wide variety of learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

Students who graduate with a Chinese or Japanese minor will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively with native speakers of Chinese and/or Japanese in a variety of situations using culturally appropriate language.
  2. Read and understand the gist of authentic materials, such as news summaries and short essays, with the aid of dictionaries and other resources.
  3. Write expository and expressive essays in the target language on a variety of topics.
  4. Implement tools to become independent, self-sufficient learners of the target language beyond the classroom.

Requirements for the Minor in Chinese

Completion of a minimum of five units in one language is required for the minor in Chinese.

Requirements for the Minor in Japanese

Completion of a minimum of five units in one language is required for the minor in Japanese.

The Asian Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

The Asian Studies Department also offers an Interdisciplinary Minor in Asian Studies, which challenges students to engage with a range of scholarly approaches to Asia, but which does not involve language study. Students in the minor who demonstrate academic excellence and complete a one-semester senior thesis will achieve the added designation of Robert Trimble Distinguished Asia Scholar.

Students who graduate with the Interdisciplinary Minor in Asian Studies will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate familiarity with the cultural traditions and contemporary societies of Asia, and understand those cultures and societies within the Asian and world contexts;
  2. Analyze, understand, and discuss coherently difficult texts about those Asian cultures and societies;
  3. Formulate abstract ideas and write logically and clearly in English about those Asian cultures;
  4. Make informed judgments about a world of many cultures and about their own society as viewed by others.
  5. To qualify for the Asian Studies Minor, a student must meet the requirements specified below. While students self-select their participation in the Asian Studies Department through declaration of the Minor with the Academic Advising office, each student seeking the Minor should coordinate their program with the Director of the Asian Studies Department and is encouraged to select a primary or secondary advisor from among the faculty members in the Department.

Requirements for the Minor in Asian Studies

The Asian Studies minor consists of five units, of which four are elective courses. Of the four electives two must be from the Humanities and two from the Social Sciences. One of the four elective courses must also be a foundation course chosen from a designated list. Detailed requirements are:

  1. A total of four elective Asian Studies courses, two of which must be in the Social Sciences, and two in the Humanities.
  2. Among these four electives, one must be a foundation course chosen from those listed below:
    • ASIA 205 Introduction to Asian Literatures (Humanities)
    • ARTH 278 Survey of Asian Art (Humanities)
    • PG 323 Asian Political Systems (Social Science)
    • IPE 333 Political Economy of Southeast Asia (Social Science)
  3. ASIA 344.
  4. No more than two electives can be used to fulfill the requirements of a major or another minor.
  5. At least two of the four elective courses must be taken at the 300 or 400 level.
  6. Good academic standing upon entering the department, overall GPA in the department of 2.5 or above, and grades of C- or better in all department courses (no Pass/Fail)
  7. Upon approval of the Asian Studies Department Director, students may complete up to two of the required units of study for the minor when enrolled in a study abroad department in Asia.

Students pursuing the Asian Studies minor are encouraged, but not required, to participate in experiences such as internships, international work and study, or field research in Asia.

Variation of requirements is possible, as arranged with the Asian Studies Committee by way of the Director of the department. Courses applicable to the Asian Studies minor have no time limit.

Additional Opportunities

PacRim Program

The Pacific Rim Study Abroad Program (PacRim) is scheduled every two years, and offers a full semester of courses taught at different locations in Asia, after which students will have the opportunity to remain in Asia over the following summer, conducting research or participating in internships. Students are selected for the program through a process of formal application. Participants prepare in advance of the scheduled study-travel semester by taking a preparation course in the Fall semester before the Spring travel semester.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships/Fellowships

The Asian Studies Department offers special opportunities for all students, including Charles Garnet Trimble Scholarships for continuing upper division students seeking the Asian Studies Minor or majoring in Japanese or Chinese, and Trimble scholarship grants for study abroad in Asia. Furthermore, the department offers the Miki Fellowship for a postgraduate year in Japan and offers a postgraduate English instructorship at Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou, China. For students seeking to become Robert Trimble Distinguished Asia Scholars (described below), Trimble summer research grants prior to the senior thesis are also available.

Robert Trimble Distinguished Asia Scholar

To qualify as a Robert Trimble Distinguished Asia Scholar, a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. All requirements for the Asian Studies minor;
  2. One-semester senior thesis: ASIA 489, or approved research seminar course in a department participating in Asian Studies (Art, Business and Leadership, Sociology and Anthropology, Economics, English, History, International Political Economy, Politics and Government, or Religious Studies);
  3. Overall GPA in Asian Studies courses of 3.5 or above, grades of C or better in all department courses (no Pass/Fail), and a grade of B- or above in ASIA 489 (or equivalent).

International Experience

Not all international experiences are suited for Asian Studies majors and minors; therefore, only pre-approved study-abroad coursework may be counted toward degrees in the department. To ensure that credit will transfer, a student wishing to apply study-abroad credit toward a major should consult Asian Studies faculty prior to enrollment. Students with demonstrated financial need who are selected for any Chinese or Japanese language program in Asia are eligible for financial support through the Charles Garnet Trimble Endowment in Chinese Studies.

Language Houses

Knowing that a residential atmosphere provides strong support for language learning, students are encouraged to create their own living-language programs. Students have the opportunity to organize a group of language learners and apply to live in university-owned houses on campus where they may communicate in Chinese or Japanese and share their enthusiasm for the cultures they study in a small group environment. For further information and application deadlines, contact Residence Life.

Spring Festivals

The Asian Studies Department organizes festivals each spring celebrating the cultures of China and Japan. The Chinese festival coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year and features a number of activities including calligraphy and tea workshops, traditional cultural displays, and community-based events. Japan Week occurs during the spring cherry blossom season and features movies, speakers, performances, and student-led activities. All Puget Sound students are encouraged to participate in these events.

Transfer of Units and Placement

Students with previous high school language study may be capable of beginning their language coursework at Puget Sound beyond the introductory level. Heritage students and those with other international experiences, such as study abroad, living with exchange students or other intensive studies should have their language proficiency evaluated by a faculty member. Consult program advisors in the particular language.

Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) with a score of four or five apply toward Chinese and Japanese majors or minors for a maximum of one unit at the 200 level.

Asian language coursework completed at other accredited institutions may be accepted toward major areas of concentration for a maximum of four units, with two going toward the language component, and two more units going toward non-language courses. For the language minors, only two units of language may be accepted.

Asian Studies transfer students, especially those who have experienced prolonged periods since their last language coursework, will be evaluated on an individual basis. The Asian Studies Department does not accept or award credit for distance learning courses. The Department also reserves the right to exclude a course from a major or minor based on the age of the course.

Humanities Elective Courses in Asian Studies

  • ARTH 278 Survey of Asian Art (foundation course)
  • ARTH 367 Chinese Art
  • ARTH 368 Japanese Art
  • ARTH 369 Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Chinese Art
  • ARTH 370 Buddhist Art
  • ARTH 371 East Asian Calligraphy
  • ASIA 205 Introduction to Asian Literature (foundation course)
  • ASIA 225 Visualized Fiction: Cinematic Adaptations of Traditional Chinese Literature
  • ASIA 305 Heroes and Rebels: Martial Arts Culture in China and Beyond
  • ASIA 310 Death and Desire in Pre-modern Japanese Literature
  • ASIA 320 Self and Society in Modern Japanese Literature
  • ASIA 325 Chinese Cinema: Ideology and the Box Office
  • ASIA 330 Writing the Margins in Contemporary Japanese Literature
  • ASIA 345 Revenge and Retribution
  • ENGL 356 Bollywood Film
  • ENGL 361 South Asian Fiction
  • HIST 245 Chinese Civilization
  • HIST 248 History of Japan: 1600 to Present
  • HIST 343 Law, Society and Justice in China
  • HIST 344 Resistance, Rebellion, and Revolution in China: 1800 to the Present
  • HIST 349 Women of East Asia
  • HUM 330 Tao and Landscape Art
  • PHIL 215 Classical Chinese Philosophy
  • REL 208 Yoga, Psychedelics, and Mind Science
  • REL 231 Korean Religions and Culture
  • REL 233 Japanese Religious Traditions
  • REL 234 Chinese Religious Traditions
  • REL 300 Japanimals: Power, Knowledge, and Spirituality at the Intersection of Species
  • REL 328 Religion, the State, and Nationalism in Japan
  • REL 332 Buddhism
  • REL 334 Vedic Religion and Brahmanism
  • REL 335 Classical Hinduism

Social Science Elective Courses in Asian Studies

  • BUS 471 Business in Asia
  • BUS 474 Business in India and South Asia
  • CONN 395 China and Latin America: A New Era of Transpacific Relations
  • IPE/SOAN 323 The Political, Economic, and Social Context of International Tourism
  • IPE 333 Political Economy of Southeast Asia (foundation course)
  • IPE 388 Exploring the Chinese Economy
  • PG 323 Comparative Political Economy of Asia (foundation course)
  • PG 372 Japanese Political Economy
  • PG 378 Chinese Political Economy
  • PG 379 The Politics of National Identity in Greater China
  • SOAN 222 Culture and Society of Southeast Asia
  • SOAN 304 Gender and Sexuality in Japan
  • SOAN 309 Anthropology of China: Contemporary Cultural and Social Issues
  • SOAN 380 Muslim Cultures and Communities