The Asian Studies program focuses on a region that is home to fully half of humanity, the world's most populous democracy, and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The importance of Asia in global, political, and economic systems - and particularly its growing impact on the United States - demands a firm understanding of the history, cultures, politics, religions, and economics of Asian countries. Everyone, regardless of major or profession, will be affected by past, present, and future events and developments in Asia.

Combined with a major in another discipline, the Asian studies minor prepares the student for a career in international business or banking, journalism, teaching, the United States government, or in international organizations, or for further studies in graduate or professional school.

It is also possible, instead of pursuing the minor, for a student with at least a 3.00 GPA to create an Individually Designed Major in Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, or some other relevant focus in Asia-related study. For information, please consult the Individually Designed Major catalog section.