Asian Studies
Welcome
What?
Asia is the largest and most populous of the seven continents. It was the home of some of humanity’s earliest civilizations, and of many of the world’s great religions (including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Shinto). Today, Asia’s four billion inhabitants include some of the richest people on earth, as well as some of the poorest. Many close allies of the United States are in Asia, along with some bitter rivals. On the list of our main trading partners, Asian countries come immediately after our NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico.
Where?
Technically, the continent of Asia stretches from Turkey to Japan, and from the Arctic Ocean to the Equator. However, UofL’s Asian Studies Program uses the definition of Asia followed by the Association for Asian Studies (the main organization for people who specialize in the study of Asia). This excludes Iran, Israel, Turkey, and the Arab Middle East (which you can study through the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program) and Siberia (the Russian part of Asia), but it includes China, India, Japan, Vietnam, and many other countries.
Why?
Whether you want to learn about Asia to help you with your future career, to explore an important part of the human race, or simply to satisfy an interest, we welcome you to UofL’s Asian Studies Program. The program was set up in 2007 to promote the study of Asia by students and faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.
How?
The Asian Studies Program currently offers a minor in Asian Studies. In the fall of 2009, we will begin offering a Graduate Certificate as well. A few years down the road, we plan to start a major in Asian Studies, and our long-term goal is a Department of Asian Studies. We also have study abroad opportunities in China and India, and regular lectures by experts on Asia. For courses you can take on Asian Studies, click here.
Who?
Courses in the Asian Studies Program are taught by professors in the Departments of Classical and Modern Languages, Fine Arts, Geography and Geosciences, History, Political Science, and Sociology, and in the Division of Humanities. They include internationally recognized experts, and all of them have spent time in one or more Asian countries. For more information on the Asian Studies faculty, click here.
How do I find out more about Asian Studies at UofL?
Click here to contact the Asian Studies Program.
Other Links:
Asia Center (University of Kentucky)
Center for Asian Democracy (UofL)
Kentucky Asian Studies Association
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
