Undergraduate Program in
Asian Studies
College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Website: https://coss.fsu.edu/asianstudies
Director: Lee Metcalf (Social Sciences); Director of Undergraduate Studies: Whitney Bendeck (Social Sciences); Director of International Economic Education: Onsurang Norrbin (Economics); Director of Internships and Professional Development: Na'ama Nagar (Political Science)
The Program in Asian Studies is an international area-studies program that is designed to develop a student's competence in the language, history, culture, and the contemporary political and economic setting of a particular country or cultural region. This area-studies program is focused on Asia, broadly defined as including East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. A major or minor in this program serves the needs of: (1) general liberal arts students who wish to learn more about these important areas of the world; (2) students who wish to pursue graduate work in these or related fields; and (3) students who seek employment in or related to Asia. The program combines area- or country-specific courses with more general comparative courses that provide students with the necessary intellectual tools, concepts, and theories to make sense out of their particular disciplinary concentrations. Students are to select language and thematic specializations in line with their intellectual interests and career goals and design their program of studies accordingly.
In addition to the regular major in Asian studies, the program also offers a second option designed for students who want to combine linguistic, cultural, and other relevant knowledge of Asia with business skills. Students electing this option will take a significant proportion of their coursework in the College of Business. This option is intended to prepare students for a career that capitalizes on their knowledge of Asia.
The undergraduate program in Asian studies is administered through the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. Students interested in either of these degree program options should consult with the Director of Asian Studies.
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in Asian Studies satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C–" or higher in any course at FSU which meets the liberal studies computer competency designation, though it is strongly recommended that students take either CGS 2060 or CGS 2100 in order to satisfy this requirement.
Requirements for a Major in Asian Studies
Students majoring in the program are to construct their study program around four components: (1) two required courses, (2) a language requirement, (3) an area-specific coursework requirement, and (4) a concepts and theories coursework requirement. Required courses for all students in the major are ASN 2299 Professional Development for Asian Studies Majors (one credit hour) and ASN 4936 Asian Studies Capstone Course (three credit hours). The total hour requirements for the major are thirty-seven credit hours beyond the 36 hours of General Education requirements with a grade of "C–" or better in all major coursework. As this is an interdisciplinary program, no minor is required.
In addition to a 2.0 overall major GPA, all students must meet "mapping" requirements. See https://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/ for more information.
Language Requirement
All students are also required to complete relevant area language coursework to the intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency to the intermediate college level in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, or some other Asian language (at 2200 level or equivalent course). Students will be encouraged to bring their chosen language up to an effective level of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking by either taking additional coursework on the campus of Florida State University or by participating in a semester- or summer-abroad program in their relevant cultural area as such programs become available. These programs should be administered by, affiliated with, or approved by Florida State University. To encourage the achievement of language proficiency, language coursework hours taken beyond the twelve-semester hour minimum or demonstrated intermediate college-level proficiency may be counted toward the required thirty-seven credit hours for the major.
Area Specific Course Requirement
Students are to select at least twenty-four semester hours of area specific coursework from the approved area-specific courses listed below. Note that special topic area-specific courses may be approved from time to time; for the most current list, students are encouraged to view the term-specific courses posted on their International Studies Canvas site and available on the College's Office of Academic Affairs website, from a College academic advisor, and the program office in 211 Bellamy.
Concept and Theory Course Requirement
Students are to select at least nine semester hours of coursework from among the concept and theory courses listed below. Students should carefully select these courses in consultation with their academic advisor to ensure that prior coursework meets any required prerequisites for the approved courses. Up to six hours of ASN 4940 Asian Studies Internship may count towards the Concept and Theory Course requirements.
Asian Studies Major with an Emphasis in Business
The Asian Studies with an emphasis in Business program combines the regular Asian Studies major with a planned series of economics and business courses. This program has four components: (1) two required courses, (2) a language requirement, (3) an area-specific coursework requirement, and (4) a multinational business course sequence. Required courses for all students are ASN 2299 Professional Development for Asian Studies Majors (one credit hour) and ASN 4936 Asian Studies Capstone Course (three credit hours). Relevant area language coursework through the intermediate (2200) level or demonstrated proficiency to the intermediate college level in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, or another approved Asian language is required, in addition to 18 credit hours in Asian Studies area specific coursework and 15 credit hours in multinational business courses. The Asian Studies coursework is to be selected from the approved area specific courses. There is no concepts and theories course requirement for this program. Students must select between two 15 credit hour business coursework options listed below in either the international marketing/management track or the international finance track. The prerequisites for both tracks include ECO 2013 and 2023, which may be taken as part of the student's 36 hours of General Education requirements. In addition, students opting for the international finance track must complete ACG 2021 as a prerequisite. Students should seek advising from the Asian Studies program specialist in 211 Bellamy or the College's academic advising office about registering for business courses.
International Marketing/Management
MAN 3240 Organizational Behavior
MAN 3600 Multinational Business Operations (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023)
MAR 3023 Basic Marketing Concepts (Prerequisite: ECO 2023)
And six hours selected from:
MAN 4401 Management of Labor and Industrial Relations (Corequisite: MAN 3240)
MAN 4605 Cross-Cultural Management (Prerequisite: MAN 3240)
MAN 4680 Selected Topics in International Management (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023, MAN 3600)
MAN 4701 Business and Society (Prerequisite: MAN 3240 or MAN 3025)
MAR 4156 Multinational Marketing (Prerequisites: MAR 3023, MAN 3600)
Or another related course approved by the Asian Studies program director
International Finance
FIN 3244 Financial Markets, Institutions, and International Finance Systems (Prerequisites: ACG 2021, ECO 2013)
FIN 3403 Financial Management of the Firm (Prerequisites: ACG 2021, ECO 2023)
MAN 3600 Multinational Business Operations (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023)
And six hours selected from:
FIN 4424 Problems in Financial Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
FIN 4504 Investments (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
FIN 4514 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 4504)
FIN 4604 Multinational Financial Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
GEB 4455 Perspectives on Free Enterprise (Prerequisites: FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
Or another related course approved by the Asian Studies program director
Study Abroad
While it is not required, students majoring in Asian Studies are strongly encouraged to study abroad. The Summer programs in China, Indonesia, and Thailand offer relevant course work. See https://international.fsu.edu/ for more information on the various options available through Florida State International Programs.
Students should consult with the Asian Studies Director about any other study abroad programs they wish to pursue. Coursework taken in overseas locations must be approved in advance for credit toward the major.
Internship
The Asian Studies program encourages students to take advantage of internships with an area focus. Students approved for academic credit in an Asian Studies internship will be enrolled in and must satisfactorily complete ASN 4940 Asian Studies Internship. Information on possible placements can be found on the International Studies Canvas site. All internships must be approved the semester before the internship takes place. See the Asian Studies program specialist in 211 Bellamy for further information.
Honors in the Major
The program in Asian Studies offers honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original work as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Second Majors
Majors in Asian Studies may pursue a second major. When students pursue a second major, they may count six semester hours of overlapping coursework toward both majors.
Minor in Asian Studies
Students pursuing a minor in the program must complete eighteen semester hours of Asian Studies coursework beyond the Liberal Studies requirement. In this case none of the broader comparative concepts and theories courses will count toward the eighteen-semester hour minimum. Students may select freely from all area-specific courses. Modern language courses numbered above 2999 may count toward the minor. Nine of the eighteen semester hours must be numbered above 2999. A maximum combined total of six semester hours in Asian Studies internship or directed individual study may apply to the minor.
Approved Courses
Note: Descriptions of specific courses can be found under the individual departments in which they are taught. In addition to the courses listed below, special topics courses may be approved by the program director in any particular term. These courses appear on the term course lists and are available at the International Studies Canvas site, on the College's Office of Academic Affairs website at https://coss.fsu.edu/academics, and the program office in 211 Bellamy.
Area Specific Courses (twenty-four credit hours)
Note: Approved area specific coursework is organized here by department for ease of reference, but students may take any combination of courses from approved the approved list to meet the area specific requirement.
Anthropology
ANT 4363 Japanese Society and Culture (3)
Art History
ARH 3530 The Arts of Asia (3)
ARH 3572 History of Islamic Art (3)
ARH 4540 Arts of India (3)
ARH 4551 Arts of China (3)
ARH 4554 Arts of Japan (3)
ARH 4571 Islamic Art and Architecture, 7th-21st Centuries (3)
ARH 4772 Japanese Animation (3)
Asian Studies
ASN 3822 Traditions of East Asian Humanities (3)
ASN 4114 Modern China (3)
ASN 4463 Conceptualizations of the Imagination of East Asia and Beyond (3)
ASN 4940r Asian Studies Internship (3-6)
Classics
CLT 3878 Ancient Mythology, East and West (3)
Economics
ECS 3200 Economics of Asia (3) [with ECO 2013 and ECO 2023 as prerequisites]
ECS 4504 Economics of the Middle East (3)
History
Note: All courses with the ASH prefix are on the list of courses approved for the Asian Studies majors. In addition, the following courses are approved:
AMH 3544 The United States and Vietnam, 1941–1975 (3)
WOH 2202 Mortal Combat: Eurasian Worlds of War Since 1200 (3)
WOH 3212 Monsoon Empires: The Indian Ocean, 800-1800 (3)
WOH 4222 The Worlds of Captain Cook (3)
WOH 4244 World War II (3)
Modern Languages and Linguistics
Note: All courses with the following prefixes taught through the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics are on the list of courses approved for the Asian Studies majors: Arabic: ABT, ARA; Chinese: CHI, CHT; Japanese: JPN, JPT. Those credit hours earned by taking courses through the intermediate (2200) level to fulfill the modern language requirement (which must be met by all Asian Studies majors) cannot be counted toward the 40 hours of Asian Studies major coursework. Students may, however, earn credit toward the major for additional courses in modern languages. All language and literature courses are taught primarily in the foreign language with the exception of courses in literature in translation (prefix ending in "T") and in film. Other courses may not necessarily require prerequisite language course background, though the student should verify any fluency prerequisites prior to enrolling in a language course. In addition, the following courses are approved:
IDS 3450 Through an Arabic Lens: The Intersection of Film and Culture (3)
JPN 4413 Advanced Japanese B (3)
LIN 3108 Introduction to East Asian Linguistics (3)
SRK 4102 Elementary Sanskrit I (3)
SRK 4103 Elementary Sanskrit II (3)
Music
MUH 4571 Music of Indonesia (3)
MUN 2800 World Music Ensemble (1): Balinese Gamelan, Middle Eastern Ensemble
Political Science
CPO 3403 Comparative Government and Politics: The Middle East (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3520 Emerging Democracies in Northeast Asia: Korea, Taiwan, Japan (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3541 Politics of China (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3553 Politics of Japan (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
INR 4274 Studies in International Politics: The Middle East (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
Religion
IDH 3140 Freedom and Religion: Liberal, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives (3)
IDS 2420 Heretics, Rebels and Militants in the Islamic World (3)
IDS 2611 Classical Philosophy of India (3)
IDS 3466 India Through Bollywood Film (3)
REL 2315 Religions of South Asia (3)
REL 2350 Religions of East Asia (3)
REL 3171 Topics: Buddhist Ethics (3)
REL 3333 Ramayana in Indian Culture and Beyond (3)
REL 3337 Goddesses, Women and Power in Hinduism (3)
REL 3340 The Buddhist Tradition (3)
REL 3345 Chan/Zen Traditions (3)
REL 3351 Japanese Traditions (3)
REL 3358 Tibetan and Himalayan Religions (3)
REL 3363 Islamic Traditions (3)
REL 3367 Islamic Traditions II: Islam up to the Modern World (3)
REL 3370 Religion in Africa (3)
REL 3935 Topics in Buddhism (3)
REL 4335 Modern Hinduism (3)
REL 4357 Classical Tibetan (3)
REL 4359 Special Topics in Asian Religions (3)
REL 4366 Seminar in Shi'ite Islam (3)
REL 4393 Islam in North America (3)
REL 4912 Tutorial in Sanskrit Texts (3)
Note: See course descriptions for required prerequisites.
Concept and Theory Courses (nine credit hours)
Recommended Social Science Prerequisites - Concepts and Theories
CPO 2002 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics (3)
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations (3)
Note: Prerequisites listed above are recommended prior to enrolling in upper-level coursework in the respective subject areas. The listed prerequisite coursework does itself count towards the Concepts and Theories requirement.
Other Concepts and Theories
ANT 2410 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANT 2416 Childhood around the World (3)
ANT 2470 Anthropology of Globalization (3)
ANT 3141 World Prehistory (3)
ANT 3212 Peoples of the World (3)
ANT 3610 Language and Culture (3)
ANT 4241 Anthropology of Religion (3)
ARH 2000 Art, Architecture, and Artistic Vision (3)
ARH 2050 History and Criticism of Art I (3)
ARH 2051 History and Criticism of Art II (3)
CPO 3034 Politics of Developing Areas (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3055 Authoritarian Regimes (3)
CPO 3703 Comparative Democratic Institutions (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3743 States and Markets (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 4057 Political Violence and Revolution (3)
CPO 4504 Institutional Approaches to Democracies and Dictatorships (3)
ECO 3303 History of Economic Ideas (3)
ECO 4270 Economic Growth (3)
ECO 4704 International Trade (3) [with ECO 2013 and ECO 2023 as prerequisites]
ECO 4713 International Finance (3) [with ECO 2013 and ECO 2023 as prerequisites]
ECP 3113 Economics of Population (3)
ECS 3003 Comparative Economic Systems (3) [with ECO 2013 and ECO 2023 as prerequisites]
ECS 3022 Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (3)
ECS 4013 Economics of Development (3)
GEA 1000 World Geography (3)
GEO 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEO 3502 Economic Geography (3)
GEO 4412 Environment and Gender (3)
GEO 4421 Cultural Geography (3)
GEO 4450 Medical Geography (3)
GEO 4471 Political Geography (3)
HUM 3321 Multicultural Dimensions of Film and 20th-Century Culture (3)
IDS 2170 Music in the World (3)
IDS 2431 Thinking Beyond Ourselves: Global Perspectives (3)
IDS 2461 Music and International Human Rights (3)
IDS 3198 Terrorism in Historical Perspective (3)
IDS 3415 Guns, Drugs, and Slaves: The History of Trafficking in the Modern World (3)
INR 3004 Geography, History, and International Relations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 3084 Terror and Politics (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 3502 International Organization (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 3603 Theories of International Relations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4011 Politics of Globalization (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4075 International Human Rights (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4078 Confronting Human Rights Violations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4083 International Conflict (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4102 American Foreign Policy (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4124 Statecraft (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4334 American Defense Policy (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4702 Political Economy of International Relations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
MUH 2051 Music in World Cultures (3)
PAD 3003 Public Administration in American Society (3)
PAD 4301 Disaster Management Planning for Urban Poor Communities (3)
PAD 4374 Introduction to Terrorism: Preparedness and Response (3)
PAD 4375 Advanced Topics in Terrorism (3) [with PAD 4374 as a prerequisite]
PAD 4382 Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (3)
PAD 4433 Women, Disasters, and Conflict (3)
PAD 4831 International Conflicts and Terrorism (3)
PAD 4833 International and Comparative Disaster Management (3)
PHI 2010 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
PHI 2630 Ethical Issues and Life Choices (3)
PHI 3670 Ethical Theory (3)
PHI 3700 Philosophy of Religion (3)
PHI 3800 Philosophy of the Arts (3)
PHI 3882 Philosophy in Literature (3)
PHM 2300 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
PHM 3123 Philosophy of Feminism (3)
PHM 3331r Modern Political Thought (3)
PHM 3351 Philosophy of Human Rights (3)
PHM 3400 Philosophy of Law (3)
PHM 4340r Contemporary Political Thought (3)
PHP 3510 Introduction to Marxist Philosophy (3)
REL 1300 Introduction to World Religions (3)
REL 3142 Religion, The Self and Society (3)
REL 3145 Gender and Religion (3)
REL 3152 Religion, Race, and Ethnicity (3)
REL 3170 Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (3)
REL 3431 Critics of Religion (3)
REL 4044 What is Religion? (3)
SYA 4010 Sociological Theory (3)
SYD 3020 Population & Society (3)
SYG 1000 Introductory Sociology (3)
SYG 2010 Social Problems (3)
SYO 3530 Social Classes and Inequality (3)
SYP 3000 Social Psychology of Groups (3)
SYP 3350 Collective Action and Social Movements (3)
SYP 3454 The Global Justice Movement (3)
SYP 3540 Sociology of Law (3)
URP 3000 Introduction to Planning and Urban Development (3)
URS 1006 World Cities: Quality of Life (3)
WOH 3440 History of Refugees (3)
Definition of Prefix
ASH—Asian History
ASN—Asian Studies
Undergraduate Courses
ASN 2299. Professional Development for Asian Studies Majors (1). (S/U grade only.) This course introduces the Asian Studies (ASN) major and the ways in which students can enhance their experience at Florida State University. This course allows students to reflect upon their goals and to explore opportunities available to them in order to tailor their academic experience and to help them attain their professional objectives.
ASN 4114. Modern China (3). This course will familiarize students with the history of Modern China. Topics to be explored – the impact of western imperialism, China's struggle to blend tradition and reform, attempts at democracy, war, the role of Communism, and the rise of China as a global economic superpower. The course will end by looking at China's current status in the international community and discuss some of the challenges it is facing.
ASN 4905r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). May be repeated to a maximum of fifteen semester hours with departmental approval.
ASN 4930r. Special Topics in Asian Studies (1–3). May be repeated to a maximum of fifteen semester hours with departmental approval.
ASN 4936. Asian Studies Capstone Course (3). This course is designed to reflect on the value of an interdisciplinary major, to explain succinctly desired course of study, and to produce a piece of original interdisciplinary scholarship with emphasis on both written and oral communication of course work.
ASN 4940r. Asian Studies Internship (3-6). (S/U grade only). Prerequisites: 15 classroom hours beyond Liberal Studies, cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher, and instructor consent. This course is designed for students to gain real world experience through on-the-job practice. Interns can expect to gain valuable work experience, develop professional skills, cultivate valuable contacts, and investigate career options. The course allows students to received academic credit for internship placement in approved agencies and organizations.
ASN 4970r. Honors Thesis (Asian Studies) (1–6). This course requires six hours of credit that must be taken in two successive semesters and must result in the production of a thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.
For listings relating to graduate coursework, consult the Graduate Bulletin.