Asian Studies (Minor)
Provides an interdisciplinary foundation in Asian history, politics, culture, religion and language. Students complete core and elective courses across humanities, social sciences and language studies, with opportunities for study abroad. The program prepares students for careers or further study requiring cross-cultural knowledge and global awareness, emphasizing analytical skills and understanding of contemporary and historical Asia.
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Minor in Asian Studies
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Political Science
Program: Asian Studies
Academic Plan Code(s): AST_MINOR
Note: Admission to the major requires a minimum 2.0 cumulative University of Louisville GPA.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AST 310 | Introduction to Asian Studies - P2, SB | 3 |
| Electives in Humanities (excluding Asian languages) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
AST/CHST 270 | Tales of the Chinese Diaspora - AH, P2 | |
AST/ARTH 290 | Survey of Asian Art - AH, P2 | |
AST/ARTH 331 | Chinese Art | |
AST 330/ARTH 335 | Twentieth Century Chinese Artists and Architects - AH, P2, WR | |
AST/ARTH 337 | Eastern Asia Landscape Art | |
ARTH 339 | Architecture and Gardens in China and Japan | |
AST/ARTH 531 | Special Topics in Asian Art | |
AST 390 | Topics in Asian Studies-Humanities | |
CHST: any course | ||
HUM 307 | East Asian Cultures | |
HUM 341 | South Asian Religious Thought and Culture - AH, P2 | |
HUM 342 | Eastern Mysticism | |
HUM 343 | East Asian Religious Thought and Culture - AH, P2 | |
JPST 310 | Japanese Culture Through Film - AH, P2 | |
JPST 312 | Japanese Popular Culture - AH, P2 | |
JPST 313 | Special Topics in Japanese Studies | |
M L 270 | Tales of the Chinese Diaspora - AH, P2 | |
M L 310 | Japanese Culture Through Film - AH, P2 | |
M L 313 | Special Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture | |
| Electives in Social Sciences | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
AST/ANTH 317 | Contemporary Chinese Society - P2, SB | |
AST/GEOG 316 | Geography of South Asia | |
AST 390 | Topics in Asian Studies-Humanities | |
AST/HIST 396 | History of India | |
AST/HIST 398 | Modern China | |
AST/HIST 397 | Traditional China | |
AST 598 | Nationalism and Modernity in East Asia | |
AST/POLS 365 | The People's Republic of China - P2, SB, WR | |
AST/POLS 366 | Politics of East Asia - P2, SB | |
AST/POLS 367 | Politics and Government of Southeast Asia | |
HIST 584 | Women in East Asian History | |
POLS 345 | Russia and Eurasia - WR | |
POLS 362 | Comparative Political Economy | |
POLS 437 | The United States and East Asia - WR | |
| Electives in Language | ||
| Any course in Chinese or Japanese language | 3 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 18 | |
Many departments offer topics courses that may have an Asian focus, including ARTH 342/ARTH 542 and ARTH 593; GEOG 590; HUM 511; HUM 512; M L 313; WGST 591. Such courses may apply to the minor in Asian Studies with the permission of the program director, who will determine which requirements such courses meet.
No more than 12 hours approved for the minor in Chinese Studies may also apply to the minor in Asian Studies.
Students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program in Asia. Such a program will substitute for an elective in an area approved by the program director. Credit hours applied to the minor will be determined by the program director.
At least three (3) semester hours of the requirements for a minor must be successfully completed while enrolled in the University of Louisville.