Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Asian Studies BA


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Given that most people on this planet live in Asia, if you want to make a difference in this world, it helps tremendously to understand Asian culture, politics and economies. Whether you’re interested in an international career, want to study the relationship between Asia and the U.S., or simply want a non-Western perspective, the Asian studies major is a practical choice that prepares you to lead the way.

Visit the Asian Studies academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Asian Studies department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


Current UB students seeking admission to the Asian Studies BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements


Language Requirement (17-18 credits)


Students are required to take four semesters of an Asian language other than their native language or demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency equivalent to two years of classroom language study at UB. Students who are able to demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in an Asian language other than their native language may petition the Asian Studies Program Director of Undergraduate Studies to replace the required language study with upper-level electives, with the general principle that each year of language study will be replaced by two 3-hour courses in the upper-level elective category. At most two semesters of language study can be replaced by content courses.

Asian Studies Electives (21 credits)


Approved, 300/400-level courses from the following, of which 9 credit hours must relate to the culture or region of the language selected. Courses must include a more or less equal number of social sciences and humanities courses. A maximum of two 300/400-level language courses may be used unless they are used for a language minor. Courses offered by other academic departments with at least 50% Asian content may be approved on a semester-by-semester basis with the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Capstone Course (3 credits)


Total Credits Required for Major: 48-49


Additional Degree Requirements Include:


  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120


Academic Requirements


Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall. All courses counted toward the major or minor must be completed with a minimum grade of C -.

Transfer Credit Policy

With permission, transfer students may use up to five courses (up to a maximum of 15 credit hours) taken at other institutions in fulfillment of Asian Studies major requirements. Students must take at least three approved upper-level (300/400-level) courses and complete the senior thesis requirement at UB. Students who wish to fulfill the language requirement with courses taken at another institution must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to two years of classroom language study at UB.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

First Year Fall


Total Credits: 15 or 16


First Year Spring


Total Credits: 14 or 15


Second Year Fall


  • Language 201 Credits: 4
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Math & Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry Lab Credits :1

Total Credits: 15


Second Year Spring


Total Credits: 16


Third Year Fall


  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Third Year Spring


  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Credits: 1
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Fourth Year Fall


  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • AS 300/400 level elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Spring


Total Credits: 13


Total Credits Required: 120


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge and skills to:

  • Use primary and secondary sources to develop arguments and analysis­ including sources in a language other than their native language
  • Speak, listen, read, and write proficiently in an Asian language other than their native language at the intermediate level or higher
  • Analyze how specific historical developments, cultural norms, socioeconomic and geographic contexts, etc. have shaped perceptions, practices, and products of individuals in specific Asian cultures, including Asian diaspora in the United States
  • Compare and contrast historical developments, traditions, practices, and structures of an Asian target country with those of the United States
  • Demonstrate specialized, interdisciplinary knowledge of one Asian country or region (normally the country or region of the second language studied)
  • Understand the terminology and methodologies of different disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia

 

(HEGIS: 03.01 ASIAN STUDIES-GENERAL, CIP05.0103 Asian Studies/Civilization)

 

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