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Home/ Academics/ Asian Studies

Asian Studies

The newly reconfigured Asian Studies minor offers a wide variety of approaches to study the histories, languages, and contemporary cultures of Asia.

Majors

Minors

Why Choose a Minor in Asian Studies?

Our interdisciplinary program allows you to study the diverse cultures of Asia in a variety of ways. We have faculty serving in several different departments, including: Sociology and Anthropology, International Affairs, History, World Languages, Art History, Music, and Theater. We offer several overseas programs in East, South, and Southeast Asia that allow you to fulfill most of the requirements for the minor. We offer flexible advising to find a track that works best to complement your interests and major.

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What You’ll Study

The (new!) Asian Studies minor is designed to allow a maximum degree of flexibility while introducing students to varying approaches to the study of Asia and its peoples. We offer a selection of courses that establish historical foundations across broad cultural regions. Students may then choose from a wide array of electives ranging from language study, performing arts, humanities, and social sciences at L&C or overseas. We encourage students to work with their advisor to find a configuration most in tune with their interests. An interdisciplinary reading-intensive seminar in contemporary Asian studies culminates the program requirements.

We encourage students to study in Asia. In addition to several language-intensive programs in Japan, China, and Taiwan; we also offer faculty-led programs in Southeast Asia, India, a general culture studies program in Korea, and a new art and religion summer program in Korea and Japan. It is possible to fulfill most of the program requirements while taking part in one of these, or other, overseas programs.

Beyond the classroom, we host a number of events ranging from film screenings and music performances to visiting scholars and guest lectures each year. Most recently, Dr. Jeongsu Shin offered courses on contemporary Korean culture and gave public presentations on research focusing on human-environment relations on Jeju Island. Many of our events are planned in collaboration with student groups, and we encourage students to introduce new ideas to enhance their study and the program itself.

Curriculum

Connect With Lewis & Clark!

  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Theory Through Ethnography With Professor Jennifer Hubbert</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> If you like to read, talk, and learn more than you could ever imagine in a semester, this is the class for you! I recommend this class to people whenever I get the chance.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/22488-jodi-fallas"> <a href="/live/profiles/22488-jodi-fallas">Jodi Fallas BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Art History </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Asian Studies </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Nonextant Art with Associate Professor Dawn Odell and Reed College professor Dana Katz</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> This was a collaborative class with Reed students and a Reed professor that focused on artworks that can no longer be experienced firsthand to explore how nonextant art informs our understanding of the past. I loved this class because it was largely discussion-based, which allowed me to really engage with my classmates.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/18359-cadyn-schenk-turner"> <a href="/live/profiles/18359-cadyn-schenk-turner">Cadyn Schenk-Turner BA ’26</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Art History </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Asian Studies </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Apocalyptic Imagination with Professor Robert Kugler</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> I enjoyed every class with Professor Kugler, but that was the class that lead me into the religious studies department, so it holds a special place in my heart.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/19796-julia-neely"> <a href="/live/profiles/19796-julia-neely">Julia Neely BA ’21</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Religious Studies </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Asian Studies </div> </div> </div> </div>

Complement Your Education With One of These Majors

The most popular majors for our Asian studies minors are sociology & anthropology, art history, religious studies, history and world languages.

What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • Jodi posing outside in a pumpkin patch.

    Minoring in Asian studies allowed me to take interdisciplinary classes in subjects I would have never considered. As an art history major, the minor fit well with my studies and allowed me to branch out into different specialties without getting off track for graduation!

    Jodi Fallas BA ’25
    Art History | Asian Studies | Waialua, Hawai’i
    More about Jodi
  • Cadyn posing outside. She is wearing a black tank-top dress.

    Pursuing an Asian studies minor has truly broadened my educational experience at L&C, and its interdisciplinary approach has enriched my understanding of other fields and disciplines.

    Cadyn Schenk-Turner BA ’26
    Art History | Asian Studies | Charlotte, North Carolina
    More about Cadyn

What Can You Do With a Minor in Asian Studies?

Our alumni use their minor in Asian studies in careers in dozens of fields. Among them are school teachers, artists, college professors, acupuncturists, lawyers, doctors, employees of international companies around the world, gallery curators, and the assistant director of admissions at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in China.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

Find Your People

There are a number of student clubs on campus engaged with Asian languages and cultures. We encourage you to get involved: Asian Student Union; Chinese Club; Japanese Club; Kapamilya Filipino club; Vietnamese Student Association.

  • Julia Neely BA '21

    L&C offered undergraduate level classes teaching about law in an accessible manner, which I am grateful for as it helped me realize my interest in law.

    Julia Neely BA ’21
    Religious Studies | Asian Studies | Birmingham, Alabama
    More about Julia
  • Kaitlin Hall BA '19

    The passion I gained for learning at L&C translated extremely well into finding a niche subject in grad school. L&C opened a up a path for me I never knew I could take.

    Kaitlin Hall BA ’19
    Psychology | Asian Studies, Religious Studies | San Diego, California
    More about Kaitlin

 

More News and Events →

Kabir is smiling at the camera with his arms crossed in a black and white photo

Kabir Mansingh Heimsath

Assistant Professor with Term of Anthropology, Director of Asian Studies
kabirmh@lclark.edu
503-768-7662