What is Asian studies?
The Asian studies minor will provide you with an interdisciplinary introduction to the languages, geographies, histories, politics, literatures, cultures and religions of East and South Asia. You’ll also explore contemporary topics and the interaction between Asian countries and the rest of the world. An understanding of Asian history and culture can be useful in various careers such as advertising, business, education, government, health, law and marketing. Combine this minor with a range of studies to prepare for your future career or graduate studies.
Why study Asian studies at UNH?
The interdisciplinary Asian studies minor is designed to foster teaching and learning as well as research in all areas of Asia. You’ll be able to tailor your studies to your interests, from the language of Chinese to subjects ranging from foreign policy and the environment to the Asian-American experience and cross-border movements of industry and ideas. You’ll also be able to earn credits toward the minor through a study abroad experience in China.
Potential career areas
- Community organizing
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Journalism
- Media relations
- Museum curation
- Politics
- Public relations
- Social work
Curriculum & Requirements
The aim of the interdisciplinary Asian studies minor program is to foster teaching and learning as well as research in all areas of Asia. The minor offers opportunities to develop proficiency in Asian languages and to study the histories, politics, literatures, cultures and religions of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and others) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and others). Courses offered provide students the chance to explore a wide range of contemporary subjects such as foreign policy, language use, education, environment, the Asian-American experience, ethnic and religious conflict, literary and cultural production, and cross-border movements of industry and ideas.
For further information, please contact Lawrence C. Reardon, associate professor of political science, chris.reardon@unh.edu, (603) 862-1858.
To complete the minor in Asian Studies, students are required to take five courses (20 credits) or their equivalent, and no more than three can be counted from any one of the following disciplines:
- Anthropology (ANTH)
- Asian American or South Asian Literature (ENGL)
- Geography (GEOG)
- History (HIST)
- Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (either CHIN or JPN)
- Philosophy (PHIL)
- Political Science (POLT)
The following are a list of courses that count toward the minor. Please note additional courses may also count. Visit the program website for the most up-to-date information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 500 | Peoples and Cultures of the World (only topic D) Asia) | 4 |
| ANTH 501 | World Archaeological Cultures (only topic F) Asia) | 4 |
| CHIN 401 | Elementary Chinese I | 4 |
| CHIN 402 | Elementary Chinese II | 4 |
| CHIN 425 | Introduction to Chinese Culture | 4 |
| CHIN 503 | Intermediate Chinese I | 4 |
| CHIN 504 | Intermediate Chinese II | 4 |
| CHIN #521 | What does it Mean to be Modern? Lenses of Modern Chinese Literature and Film | 4 |
| CHIN 632 | Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition II | 4 |
| CHIN #795 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| ENGL 581 | Reading the Postcolonial Experience | 4 |
| GEOG 530 | China: People, Politics and Economy | 4 |
| PHIL 520 | Introduction to Eastern Philosophy | 4 |
| POLT #546 | Wealth and Politics in Asia | 4 |
| POLT 556 | Politics in China | 4 |
| POLT 569 | The Rise of China | 4 |
| POLT 742 | Politics of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India | 4 |
| POLT 797E | Seminar in International Politics (US/China Decision Making) | 4 |
