The Concentration in Asian Studies
Concentration
Requirements and Curriculum
1. Language Study
One year of instruction in a relevant Asian language is required. This
requirement can be met by taking two semesters of Modern Chinese (CHNS),
Japanese, or Sanskrit at Kenyon, or three semesters of Classical Chinese
(CHIN). The equivalent of one year of approved college-level Asian language
instruction at another accredited academic institution will also meet
the requirement, as will some intensive summer programs, or a semester
of language study abroad when paired with language immersion. In the case
of transfer students, credit will be accepted for a year of Asian language
study with a grade of C+ or better pursued at another institution. If
the program committee determines that a student possesses native proficiency
in an Asian language, it will waive the requirement.
The program committee strongly recommends that students continue their
language study beyond the first year.
2. Area and disciplinary coursework
Students are required to take 2 units (four semester courses) about Asia
outside of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. These courses
must be from the list of courses offered under Asian Studies at Kenyon
but may also include relevant courses taken in study abroad programs.
Students are strongly encouraged to build comparison into their
curricular choices by taking at least one course representing a region
of Asia different from that of the student's language study.
Courses not specifically focused on Asia will not be counted toward the
concentration. Where any doubt arises, please ask a member of the Asian
Studies faculty. Double-counting for the major and the concentration is
permitted.
3. Senior Seminar: Asia in Comparative Perspective (see
below)
This 1/2-unit course is required for students fulfilling the requirements
for the Asian Studies Concentration and open to other students on a permission
basis. The course will be offered every spring under the direction of
a selected Asian studies faculty member and will meet in a seminar format.
Course content will be organized around a common theme that integrates
the various disciplines and regions of Asia that students have been studying
at Kenyon. Through readings, films, guest lectures by other Kenyon Asian
studies faculty members and outside
speakers, etc., the course will lead students to synthesize their
academic and personal (e.g., off-campus) experiences in a broader comparative
perspective. Students will produce work that examines one or more topics
of their own special interest within the comparative Asian framework.
Beginning Asian
Studies
First- and second-year students may begin almost anywhere. See
the list of all the Asian studies courses offered in the current year.
Students hoping to spend all or part of their junior year in China or
Japan should certainly begin to study the appropriate language in their
first two years at Kenyon. New students interested in Asia who have not
yet declared a major or a concentration are welcome to seek specific advice
from any of the Asian studies faculty members.
Senior Seminar
Asia in Comparative Perspective
ASIA 490 (1/2 unit)
This 1/2-unit course is required for students fulfilling the requirements
for the Asian Studies Concentration and is open to other students on a
permission basis. The course will be offered every spring under the direction
of a selected Asian-studies faculty member and will meet in a seminar
format.
Course content will be organized around a common theme that integrates
the various disciplines and regions of Asia that students have been studying
at Kenyon. Through readings, films, guest lectures by other Kenyon Asian-studies
faculty members and outside speakers, and other activities, the course
will lead students to synthesize their academic and personal (e.g., off-campus)
experiences in a broader comparative perspective. Students will produce
work that examines one or more topics of their own special interest within
the comparative Asian framework.
Some Past syllabi:
Related Majors
The Asian Studies Concentration can, in theory, be paired with any major.
Given your career plans or interests, it may make perfect sense to combine
the study of Asia with economics, drama, or chemistry.
Certain majors, however, combine especially easily with the Asian Studies
Concentration. Students majoring in history, for example, will have two
faculty members in their major department who teach about Asia (Professors
Dunnell and Singer), so fulfilling their major requirements and the concentration's
requirements can easily overlap. Similarly, there are two Asian Studies
faculty who teach in the Religious Studies Department, Professors Adler
and Schubel. Another natural combination of this type exists for those
who major in Modern Languages and Literatures with a focus on Chinese
or Japanese.
Finally, those who major in International Studies must focus on a particular
area of the world, and Asia is in the list of these area options. Again,
by fulfilling the requirements for an International Studies major with
an Asia focus, a student will be close to fulfilling a concentration as
well. Note that International Studies majors are required to study abroad,
and that several of these each year usually study in locations in Asia.
It is possible to take both the senior seminar in International Studies
(in the fall) and the senior seminar in Asian Studies (in the spring).
Comments to: Joseph Adler
Last Edited: 10/6/05
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