2020-2021

Asian Studies, Minor

Asian Studies Program

College of Arts and Letters

This interdisciplinary minor encourages students to explore the complex influence of Asian culture across such areas as history, art, religion, relationships, politics, language, and philosophy. Students can shape their program to suit their interests through a diverse array of approved electives.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Study Abroad Recommended

Purpose Statement
 
The purpose of the Asian Studies minor is to encourage students to explore the complex influence of Asian culture across such disciplines as history, art, religion, politics, language, and philosophy. Students shape their program to suit their interests through a diverse array of approved electives, creating a specialized course of study in three different disciplines.
 

  • The content studied within these two emphases contextualizes the deeply rooted cultural traditions that shape all aspects of modern Asian societies, ranging from their aesthetic values to their economic strategies. The skills the students develop in the context of their Asian Studies curriculum include Critical Thinking, Civil Discourse, Comparative Cultural Awareness and Interdisciplinarity, Critical Reading, Effective Writing.
  • Learning experiences provided within these emphases include regular on-campus academic and language course work, supplemented with various international internship and study abroad opportunities. Moreover, individual undergraduate research is prioritized and student are encouraged to develop their in-class research projects further and participate in NAU’s annual Undergraduate Student Research Symposium.
  • The future opportunities for which these emphases prepare the students include pursuit of graduate degrees and/or careers in museums and other cultural institutions, international journalism, government and NGO related work, and communications and marketing. The ASN-IGP program is designed specifically to prepare future generations of engineers, scientists and businesspersons for leadership in an increasingly global labor market.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Asian Studies Minor will:
  • Demonstrate introductory knowledge of methods and theories in the study of Asia
  • Demonstrate knowledge about selected major Asian cultures and their cultural products (languages, religions, arts, histories, etc.)
  • Demonstrate facility in writing about the study of Asia, which may include writing in an Asian language
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the essential interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Asia, including critical reading, critical thinking and effective writing

Minor Requirements
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.