Asian Studies Minor

Asia, broadly-defined, is becoming increasingly important for the United States, and the Asian Studies minor is intended to provide a solid foundation for a clear understanding of the history, culture, society, and politics of this critical region. In the light of the United States' growing economic and political ties with many Asian countries, this program can help the students obtain valuable knowledge in various disciplines, including business, social sciences, and humanities. This minor can also help students broaden their perspectives and better prepare for their careers in an interconnected world.

Students who choose Asian Studies as their minor are required to complete 18 credits of coursework with a minimum of 9 credits taken in residence at Westfield State. All Asian Studies minors taken POLS 0110 and then choose five electives from at least three different departments - Art, Communication, Ethnic and Gender Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and World Languages. of the five electives, no more than two can be 100-level, and at least two must be 200-level. The 9-credit residency requirement is waived for students who study in the university's exchange programs in Asia. With the program advisor's approval, students may take up to five Asian Studies courses from exchange program institutions in Asia.

• POLS 0110 - Introduction to Asian Studies

With Asian Studies advisor approval, select five from at least three departments.

• ART 0357 - Islamic Art
• COMM 0180 - ST: Vietnam * COMM 0209 - Global Communication *
• COMM 0213 - Global Film Studies
• COMM 0316 - Special Topics in Communication
• EGST 0206 - Introduction to Islamic Studies
• EGST 0211 - Indian Cinema: Gender and Identity
• EGST 0212 - Introduction to Asian American Studies
• EGST 0213 - Contemporary Issues in Islamic Studies
• EGST 0221 - Women in Modern Organizations
• EGST 0305 - Critical Race Studies
• EGST 0355 - International Women’s Grassroots Movements
• EGST 0356 - Activism in Asian American Communities
• HIST 0215 - Introduction to the Middle East, Africa and Asia
• HIST 0286 - Traditional Asia to 1700
• HIST 0287 - Asia Since 1700
• HIST 0290 - Special Topics in Comparative History
• MUSC 0104 - World Music
• PHIL 0108 - Major Religions of the East
• PHIL 0211 - Asian Philosophy
• POLS 0230 - Asian Politics
• SOCI 0331-0334 - Special Topics in Sociology
• LCHI 0101 - Chinese I
• LCHI 0102 - Chinese II
• LCHI 0103 - Chinese III
• LCHI 0104 - Chinese IV
• 300-Level Independent Studies *

* Requires Asian Studies advisor approval.

Additional courses may qualify for the minor with the approval of the Asian Studies Advisor.