Asian and Asian American Studies

The Department of Asian and Asian American Studies (DAAAS) supports the study of Asia and transoceanic, transnational Asian diasporas of the world. It places emphasis on studies of histories, languages and cultures within Asia as geographically defined, and studies of Asian diasporas. Students benefit from the cross-national work and research agendas of both Asianists and Asian Americanists in productive dialogue.

The department houses six interrelated programs: Asian American and Diaspora Studies, Asian Comparative Studies, South Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, and Korean Studies.

Asian American and Diaspora Studies

The Asian American and Diaspora Studies program offers an interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and transnational approach to the study of Asian American and Asian diasporic peoples and cultures. The program focuses on Asians in the Americas, including the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. AAD faculty members are interdisciplinary scholars who research and teach across fields such as history, literary and cultural studies, ethnic studies, diaspora studies, U.S. empire, Third World studies, postcolonial studies, critical mixed race studies, women’s studies, queer studies, migration studies, food studies, and engaged digital humanities. Pedagogically the program is committed to social justice by fostering teaching and research practices of community engagement. Through this approach, the program bridges traditional gaps between academy and community, faculty and students, and knowledge and experience. DAAAS offers Asian American and Diaspora Studies as a track in the Asian and Asian American Studies major.

Asian Comparative Studies

The Asian Comparative Studies program encourages work that is interdisciplinary, comparative or global in methodology and theory, as well as work that is specialized locally or regionally. It also supports the study of Asia and Asian diasporas as complex nexuses of sociological, geographical and political regions, and traces their economies, histories and ideas across national and oceanic boundaries. DAAAS offers Asian Comparative Studies as a track in the Asian and Asian American Studies major.

South Asian Studies

The South Asian Studies program offers students the opportunity to study the social, cultural and intellectual history of the nations of South Asia, a region often defined to include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Students can learn about the teachings and historical development of South Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. They can also develop a greater understanding of the lived experience of South Asian peoples through premodern and modern times, including the experience of women and of socially marginalized groups. DAAAS offers South Asian Studies as a track in the Asian and Asian American Studies major.

Chinese Studies

The Chinese Studies program is an interdisciplinary community of researchers, educators, and students of premodern, modern, and contemporary Chinese culture, language, and society, who are dedicated to sharing and disseminating balanced, objective, non-partisan knowledge of Chinese culture, history, and society. The program offers students a diverse curriculum encompassing premodern, modern, and contemporary Chinese culture. Our language courses stress verbal and textual mastery, cultural competency, and include offerings in Chinese linguistics, language pedagogy, as well as cutting-edge classes that impart Chinese language learning through music, comic book art, and traditional Chinese culture. Content courses (taught in English) explore both ancient and modern Chinese literature, cinema, visual arts, society, history, philosophy, economics, performing arts, geography, history, translation studies, and other disciplines.

The Chinese Studies Program also embraces research and courses that treat China comparatively and interactively with other parts of East Asia and the world. Faculty stress global/transnational perspectives and area/regional knowledge and linguistic skills, in order to best prepare students for a broad spectrum of future educational and career goals and opportunities. The importance of the US-China relationship in the 21st-century will generate strong job market demand in the fields of journalism, governmental & non-governmental organizations, educational institutions (K-12 and higher ed.), non-profit research institutions, policy institutes, arts organizations, business, law, and more. Students with academic training in Chinese Studies will be ideally positioned to meet that demand. Additionally, knowledge in Chinese culture, language, society, and history will be essential to understanding and working in Chinese diasporic communities situated outside Asia, especially the diverse Chinese communities of the United States and Canada. DAAAS offers a major and minor in Chinese Studies.

Japanese Studies

The Japanese Studies program fosters detailed, nuanced knowledge and understanding of various aspects of premodern, modern and contemporary Japanese culture and society, including history, language, literature, visual culture, war, politics and economics. It provides a solid foundation in Japanese language skills, including reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. The courses offered by our program are ideal for students wishing to gain practical communicative skills, those planning to further specialize in Japanese Studies, and those pursuing careers in areas such as education, business, government and NGOs.

Our program faculty believe that the foundation of Japanese Studies is literacy in written Japanese and proficiency and fluency in spoken Japanese. As a program, we also aim to teach and foster informed, nuanced, accurate knowledge and practical, critical understanding and appreciation of premodern, modern and contemporary Japanese languages, histories, cultures, societies and arts, including poetry, literature, visual culture, performing arts, cinema and genres of popular culture such as anime, manga and video games. Our desired learning outcomes for our students are the development of linguistic, historical, social and ideological literacy, critical thinking and the ability to practically apply and articulate this knowledge and insight to real life phenomena and situations in Japan, East Asia, the west and the world as a whole.

While valuing and underscoring the importance of historical commonalities amongst Japanese, Chinese and Korean cultures, societies and worldviews, we also firmly believe that it is incumbent on us to enable our students to develop well informed, critical perspectives, awareness and appreciation of the differences/distinctiveness of Japan vis-à-vis neighboring East Asian countries. We do so with the moral and ethical goal of dispelling overgeneralizations, stereotypes and conscious/unconscious biases and prejudices and empowering students to confidently and critically assess and navigate fraught, politicized, international relations and contested histories past and present. These constitutive elements of our collective pedagogical mission contribute substantially to the university-wide initiative of facilitating and promoting internationalization, mutual respect and understanding. DAAAS offers a major and minor in Japanese Studies.

Korean Studies

The Korean Studies program provides students with a solid foundation in Korean language skills and knowledge of Korea’s history, literature, religions, politics and economics. The program is based on the premise that both contemporary and historic understanding of Korea, its interrelations with larger East Asia and its global importance today cannot be fully grasped without a deep understanding of its language, history, social systems and culture. Hence, the program aims to provide students with not only language training, but also a solid understanding of how Korean societies and people function and interact with other cultures in both the premodern and modern periods. The wide range of courses is designed to introduce various aspects of Korean Studies and provide students with the knowledge necessary for business, professional or academic endeavors. DAAAS offers a major and minor in Korean Studies.

Harpur College Requirements

Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:

  • 126 credits
  • 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
  • Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
  • Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
  • Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
  • 2.0 or higher GPA

Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.

Major Requirements

All majors (Asian and Asian American Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies and Korean Studies) consist of 11 courses and mandate the following:

  • Two 400-level courses, at least one of which must be in the major/major track. These must: 1) be taught by DAAAS faculty members; 2) be non-language courses; and 3) be chosen in consultation with the major advisor and/or the Undergraduate Director
  • At least four additional courses must be at the 300 or 400 level
  • At least six courses must be taken at °®¶¹´«Ã½
  • No more than one course may be an independent study
  • No more than one non-language course may be taken Pass/Fail
  • Majors may not Pass/Fail a language course
  • A letter grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the major
  • A course must be taken for three or more credits to count as a course toward the major

Asian and Asian American Studies Major

DAAAS offers a major in Asian and Asian American Studies organized along three different tracks. Students wishing to major in Asian and Asian American Studies choose from one of the following:

  1. Asian American and Diaspora Studies, with particular focus on the social, cultural and historical aspects of Asians in the U.S. and, more broadly, Asians in the Americas.
  2. Asian Comparative Studies, with particular focus on comparative study of the histories, peoples and societies of two or more Asian countries.
  3. South Asian Studies, with particular focus on the study of the diverse cultures, peoples and regions of South Asia.

All track majors must successfully complete 11 courses, consisting of two common core courses, five courses in their specific track and four electives.

  • One of the following core Asian American and Diaspora Studies courses (or other appropriate courses as they become available):
    • AAAS 220 Asian American Cultural Representations
    • AAAS 275 History of Asian America
  • One of the following core Asian Studies courses (or other appropriate courses as they become available):
    • AAAS 105 Introduction to Asian Philosophy
    • AAAS 106 East Asian Civilizations
    • AAAS 210 Introduction to Japanese Culture
    • AAAS 211 Korean Civilization
    • AAAS 273 Chinese Civilization

Asian American and Diaspora Studies Track 

In addition to the two common core courses, students must complete five courses designated as Asian American and Diaspora Studies, meaning courses on the Asian diaspora, including Asians in the United States and the Americas. These courses change semester to semester and may include the following examples:

  • AAAS 220 Asian American Cultural Representations
  • AAAS 275 History of Asian America
  • AAAS 371 Asian Americas
  • additional topics courses by advising

Students must also complete four elective courses. These courses may be from either Asian Studies or Asian American and Diaspora Studies, and may include Asian language courses. See Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements. 

Asian Comparative Studies Track 

In addition to the two common core courses, students must complete five courses designated as Asian Comparative Studies, meaning courses that study Asia transregionally. These courses change semester to semester and may include the following examples:

  • AAAS 259 Eastern Asia: Land and People
  • AAAS 341 China and the West
  • AAAS 355 Aspects of Multilingualism
  • AAAS 434 History of Women in East Asia
  • AAAS 439 East Asian Linguistics
  • AAAS 473 Imperialism in East Asia
  • AAAS 454 Unresolved Issues: Wars in Asia
  • AAAS 463 Medicine and the Body in East Asia

Students must also complete four elective courses. These courses may be from either Asian Studies or Asian American and Diaspora Studies, and may include Asian language courses. See Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements. 

South Asian Studies Track

In addition to the two common core courses, students must complete five courses designated as South Asian Studies, meaning courses on (but not limited to) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. These courses change semester to semester and may include the following examples:

  • AAAS 344 Buddhist Ethics
  • additional topics courses by advising

Students must also complete four elective courses. These courses may be from either Asian Studies or Asian American and Diaspora Studies, and may include Asian language courses. See Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements. 

Chinese Studies Major

The Chinese Studies major consists of 11 courses (four language courses and seven elective courses). See also Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements

Language Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the following four language courses: CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I; CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II; CHIN 305 Advanced Chinese I; CHIN 306 Advanced Chinese II. Note: CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I, CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II, CHIN 103 Elementary Chinese I Heritage and CHIN 104 Elementary Chinese II Heritage provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the major but do not count toward the major. 

Depending on prior exposure to the language, CHIN 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the major. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Chinese Program faculty, students who already demonstrate competence in Mandarin at any of the required levels may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Chinese language courses will not count toward the major and must be replaced with other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to eleven.

Elective Courses

Students choose six of the courses listed below (or other approved Chinese Studies courses as they become available). Students are also required to successfully complete one course designated as Asian American and Diaspora Studies.

  • CHIN 202 Singing Chinese
  • CHIN 232 Learn Chinese through Comics
  • CHIN 350 Business Chinese
  • AAAS 230 Contemporary Chinese Cinemas
  • AAAS 241 Classical Chinese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 260 Confucian Ethics
  • AAAS 272 Island Culture: Taiwan Film and Fiction
  • AAAS 273 Chinese Civilization
  • AAAS 274 Late Imperial China
  • AAAS 317 The Economy of China
  • AAAS 341 China and the West
  • AAAS 352 20th-Century Chinese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 353 Prosody in Chinese Poetry
  • AAAS 374 China in the 20th Century
  • AAAS 443 History of Chinese Literature
  • AAAS 461 Li Bai and Du Fu
  • AAAS 462 Confucius' Analects
  • AAAS 464 Modern Chinese Poetry in Translation
  • AAAS 465 Conflicted Selves, Chinese Culture
  • AAAS 471 Classical Chinese Reading
  • AAAS 472 Chinese Women and the Family

Japanese Studies Major

The Japanese Studies major consists of 11 courses (four language courses and seven elective courses). See also Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements

Language Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the following four language courses: JPN 203 Intermediate Japanese I; JPN 204 Intermediate Japanese II; JPN 305 Advanced Reading and Comprehension I; JPN 306 Advanced Reading and Comprehension II. Note: JPN 101 Elementary Japanese I and JPN 102 Elementary Japanese II provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the major, but do not count towards the major. 

Depending on prior exposure to the language, JPN 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the major. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Japanese Program faculty, students who already demonstrate competence at any of the required levels of the Japanese language may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Japanese language courses will not count toward the major and must be replaced with other Japanese studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to eleven.

Elective Courses

Students choose six of the courses listed below (or other approved Japanese studies courses as they become available). Students are also required to successfully complete one course designated as Asian American and Diaspora Studies.

  • JPN 180 Elementary Japanese Conversation
  • JPN 380  Business Japanese
  • JPN 407 Fourth Year Japanese I
  • AAAS 250 Japanese Cinema
  • AAAS 252 Medieval/Early Modern Japanese Literature and Culture
  • AAAS 350 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 452 Natsume SÅseki and the Modernization of Japan
  • AAAS 453 Trauma in/and Japanese Literature and Film
  • AAAS 454 Unresolved Issues: Modern Wars in Asia
  • AAAS 455 Japanese Asia Pacific War Experience

Korean Studies Major

The Korean Studies Major consists of 11 courses (four languages and seven elective courses). See also Major Requirements for all majors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements.

Language Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the following four language courses: KOR 203 Intermediate Korean I; KOR 204 Intermediate Korean II; KOR 305 Advanced Korean I; KOR 306 Advanced Korean II. Note: KOR 101 Elementary Korean I and KOR 102 Elementary Korean II provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the major, but do not count toward the major. 

Depending on prior exposure to the language, KOR 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the major. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Korean Program faculty, students who already demonstrate competence at any of the required levels of the Korean language may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Korean language courses will not count toward the major and must be replaced with other Korean Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to eleven.

Elective Courses

Students choose six of the courses listed below (or other approved courses as they become available). Students are also required to successfully complete one course designated as Asian American and Diaspora Studies.

  • KOR 407 Fourth Year Korean I
  • KOR 408 Fourth Year Korean II
  • AAAS 211 Korean Civilization
  • AAAS 218 Structure of Korean
  • AAAS 240 Korean Literature and Culture (Pre-20th Century)
  • AAAS 242 20th-Century Korean Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 311 Language, Culture and Society in Korea
  • AAAS 313 Religions and Culture of Korea
  • AAAS 360 Korean History (Ancient-19th Century)
  • AAAS 361 Korea in the Age of Empire, 1876-1945
  • AAAS 362 Divided Korea
  • AAAS 363 Gender, Culture and Korean Society
  • AAAS 431 Confucianism in Korea
  • AAAS 432 Women in Korean History
  • AAAS 449 Pedagogy for East Asian Languages—Korean
  • AAAS 463 Medicine and the Body in East Asia

Minor Requirements

All minors (Asian and Asian American Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies and Korean Studies) consist of six courses and mandate the following:

  • Only one course may be taken as an independent study
  • Only one non-language course may be taken Pass/Fail
  • At least four courses must be taken at °®¶¹´«Ã½
  • Minors may not Pass/Fail a language course 
  • A letter grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the minor
  • A course must be taken for 3 or more credits to count as a course toward the minor

Asian and Asian American Studies Minor 

The minor in Asian and Asian American Studies allows students to supplement their major through participation in a cross-disciplinary program. The requirements include a total of six courses in Asian and Asian American Studies, from which:

  • At least two courses must at the 100 or 200 level
  • At least two courses must be at the 300 or 400 level
  • At least one course must be at the 400 level
  • At least one course must be considered Asian Studies
  • At least one course must be considered Asian American and Diaspora Studies
  • Up to two Asian language courses may be applied toward the minor

See Minor Requirements for all minors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements. 

Chinese Studies Minor

The minor in Chinese Studies consists of three required language courses and three Chinese Studies elective courses. At least three of these six courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. See Minor Requirements for all minors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements.

Students are required to successfully complete the following three language courses: CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I; CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II; and CHIN 305 Advanced Chinese I. Note: CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I; CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II; CHIN 103 Elementary Chinese I Heritage; and CHIN 104 Elementary Chinese II Heritage provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the minor but do not count towards the minor. CHIN 305 will count as one of the three required upper level courses for the minor.

Depending on prior exposure to the language, CHIN 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the minor. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Chinese Program faculty, students who demonstrate competence in Mandarin at any of the required levels may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Chinese language courses will not count toward the minor and must be replaced with other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to six.

In addition to the required language courses, students choose three of the courses listed below (or other approved Chinese Studies courses as they become available):

  • CHIN 202 Singing Chinese
  • CHIN 232 Learning Chinese Through Comics
  • CHIN 306 Advanced Chinese II
  • CHIN 350 Business Chinese
  • AAAS 230 Contemporary Chinese Cinemas
  • AAAS 241 Classical Chinese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 260 Confucian Ethics
  • AAAS 272 Island Culture: Taiwan Film and Fiction
  • AAAS 273 Chinese Civilization
  • AAAS 274 Late Imperial China
  • AAAS 317 The Economy of China
  • AAAS 341 China and the West
  • AAAS 352 20th-Century Chinese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 353 Prosody in Chinese Poetry
  • AAAS 374 China in the 20th Century
  • AAAS 443 History of Chinese Literature 
  • AAAS 461 Li Bai and Du Fu
  • AAAS 462 Confucius' Analects
  • AAAS 464 Modern Chinese Poetry in Translation
  • AAAS 465 Conflicted Selves, Chinese Culture
  • AAAS 471 Classical Chinese Reading
  • AAAS 472 Chinese Women and the Family

Japanese Studies Minor

The Japanese minor consists of three required language courses and three Japanese Studies elective courses. At least three of these six courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. See Minor Requirements for all minors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements.

Students are required to successfully complete the following three language courses:  JPN 203 Intermediate Japanese I; 204 Intermediate Japanese II; and 305 Advanced Reading and Composition I. Note: JPN 101 Elementary Japanese I and JPN 102 Elementary Japanese II provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the minor but do not count towards the minor. JPN 305 will count as one of the three required upper level courses for the minor.

Depending on prior exposure to the language, JPN 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the minor. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Japanese Program faculty, students who demonstrate competence at any of the required levels of the Japanese language may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Japanese language courses will not count toward the minor and must be replaced with other Japanese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to six.

In addition the the required language courses, students choose three of the courses listed below (or other approved Japanese Studies courses as they become available):

  • JPN 180 Elementary Japanese Conversation
  • JPN 306 Advanced Reading and Composition II
  • JPN 380 Business Japanese
  • JPN 407 Fourth Year Japanese I
  • AAAS 250 Japanese Cinema
  • AAAS 252 Medieval/Early Modern Japanese Literature and Culture
  • AAAS 350 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 452. Natsume SÅseki and the Modernization of Japan
  • AAAS 453 Trauma in/and Japanese Literature and Film
  • AAAS 454 Unresolved Issues: Modern Wars in Asia
  • AAAS 455 Japanese Asia Pacific War Experience

Korean Studies Minor

The Korean minor consists of three required language courses and three Korean Studies elective courses. At least three of these six courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. See Minor Requirements for all minors offered by the department above for additional information on requirements.

Students are required to successfully complete the following three language courses:: KOR 203 Intermediate Korean I; KOR 204 Intermediate Korean II; and KOR 305 Advanced Korean I. Note: KOR 101 Elementary Korean I and KOR 102 Elementary Korean II provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the minor but do not count towards the minor. KOR 305 will count as one of the three required upper level courses for the minor.

Depending on prior exposure to the language, KOR 101 and 102 may be required prerequisites for the minor. For students with significant prior exposure: after consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Korean Program faculty, students who demonstrate competence at any of the required levels of the Korean language may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Korean language courses will not count toward the minor and must be replaced with other Korean Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to six.

In addition to the required language courses, students choose three of the courses listed below (or other approved Korean Studies courses as they become available):

  • KOR 306 Advanced Korean II
  • KOR 407 Fourth Year Korean I
  • KOR 408 Fourth Year Korean II
  • AAAS 211 Korean Civilization
  • AAAS 218 Structure of Korean
  • AAAS 240 Korean Literature and Culture (Pre-20th Century)
  • AAAS 242 20th-Century Korean Literature in Translation
  • AAAS 311 Language, Culture and Society in Korea
  • AAAS 313 Religions and Culture of Korea
  • AAAS 360 Korean History (Ancient-19th Century)
  • AAAS 361 Korea-Age of Empire, 1876-1945
  • AAAS 362 Divided Korea
  • AAAS 363 Gender, Culture and Korean Society
  • AAAS 431 Confucianism in Korea
  • AAAS 432 Women in Korean History
  • AAAS 439 East Asian Linguistics
  • AAAS 449 Pedagogy for East Asian Languages—Korean
  • AAAS 463 Medicine and the Body in East Asia

Honors

To be eligible to apply to the Honors Program in Asian and Asian American Studies, students must possess at least a 3.5 GPA in their DAAAS major (excluding any courses taken Pass/Fail). If accepted, students must also submit to the department a 10,000- to 15,000- word honors thesis. The thesis topic must be pre-approved by a DAAAS or DAAAS-affiliated faculty advisor. Positive evaluation of the thesis by the advisor and an appropriate reader results in honors. Students may register for AAAS 498/499 (Honors Thesis I & II) and may count one of them toward the major.

List of Faculty