Asian Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Overview

The Faculty Group in Asian Studies administers an interdisciplinary program leading to BA, MA, and PhD degrees. Utilizing the faculty and facilities of the entire university, these degree programs cut across conventional disciplinary lines and emphasize a basic core of knowledge concerning one particular geographic area of Asia. Within this core, which requires course work in multiple departments and reading knowledge of at least one Asian language, regionally-oriented students have the freedom to plan an individual program according to their particular interests and approaches. No two programs are alike, and students work closely with the Student Affairs office and with a faculty mentor in designing their customized academic plan. The Group also offers concurrent degree programs with the Schools of Journalism and Law, and an undergraduate minor. The Group is supported in its efforts by the Institute of East Asian Studies , the International and Area Studies Teaching Program  and the Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies of the College of Letters and Science.

UC Berkeley has long been noted for its outstanding scholarship in the area of Asian Studies. A Faculty Group and an interdisciplinary graduate program on Asia was first established in 1949 under the name Asiatic Studies. The name was changed to Asian Studies in 1959. An interdisciplinary undergraduate major in Asian Studies was established in 1975. More than seventy faculty members and fifteen departments are presently engaged in teaching and research concerning Asia. These resources are supplemented by extensive library facilities and by the programs of five major area centers that offer lecture series and colloquia throughout the year. The Bay Area itself, with its Asian ethnic communities, museums, performing arts, monasteries, and trade centers provides unlimited cultural opportunities for the student interested in reaching beyond the confines of the university.

Student and Faculty Resources

The Institute of East Asian Studies , of which the Group in Asian Studies is a part, also supports other programs and affiliates related to areas of interest to students and faculty in Asian Studies. For further information, please see the Center for Chinese Studies , the Center for Japanese Studies , the Center for Korean Studies , and the Center for Buddhist Studies .

Other campus centers of interest to students and faculty include the Center for Southeast Asia Studies .

Berkeley Student Journal of Asian Studies

The Berkeley Student Journal of Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary student journal that bridges research at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Journal strives to broaden the study of Asian across disciplinary lines and to expand the Asian Studies community by promoting leadership and scholarship of Asia. For further information, please click here .

Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate programs are administered by the International and Area Studies Teaching Program .
Asian Studies: China : BA
Asian Studies: Japan : BA
Asian Studies: Multi-Area : BA
Chinese Studies : Minor
Japanese Studies : Minor
Koeran Studies : Minor

Graduate Program

Asian Studies : MA

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Courses

Asian Studies

ASIANST 10 Introduction to Asia 4 Units

This course is designed to interest students in Asian cultures early in their undergraduate studies. Topics such as trade, social and political formations, religions, food, and expressive culture that have been important in history as well as in contemporary times in East, South, and Southeast Asia will serve as unifying themes. Comparative thinking across regions of Asia and the perspectives of multiple disciplines will be brought to bear on the themes.

ASIANST 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Group discussion, research and reporting on selected topics.

ASIANST 150 Special Topics 4 Units

Advanced research in current issues or regions of Asian studies. The course will focus on specific areas or topics with appropriate comparative material included. Topics change each semester.

ASIANST H195A Senior Honors 3 Units

Supervised readings or field research on a significant problem in Asian Studies, collection and analysis of research materials, and the preparation of an honors dissertation in close consultation with two members of the faculty.

ASIANST H195B Senior Honors 3 Units

Supervised readings or field research on a significant problem in Asian Studies, collection and analysis of research materials, and the preparation of an honors dissertation in close consultation with two members of the faculty.

ASIANST 197 Field Studies 2 - 4 Units

Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of Asian studies in off-campus locations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required.

ASIANST 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Directed group study of special topics approved by the chair of the Group in Asian Studies.

ASIANST 199 Independent Study 1 - 4 Units

Directed individual study on topics approved by the chair of the Group in Asian Studies.

ASIANST 201 Asian Studies Proseminar 1 Unit

This course is required of all first-year graduate students and supervised by a regular faculty member. The seminar will familiarize students with faculty, their Asian interests, research methods, and the courses they teach. It consists of presentations by faculty on their past, present, and future research.

ASIANST 298 Directed Group Study 2 - 6 Units

Group study of selected topics that vary from term to term.

ASIANST 299 Independent Study 1 - 7 Units

Directed reading in subject matter not covered in scheduled seminar offerings.

Contact Information

Group in Asian Studies

1995 University Ave., Ste 510E

Phone: 510-642-0333

Fax: 510-643-7062

asianst@berkeley.edu

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Department Chair

Bonnie Wade (Department of Music), PhD

bcwade@berkeley.edu

Student Services Adviser

Sharmila Shinde

Undergraduate Office: 101 Stephens Hall (International and Area Studies Program Office)

Phone: 510-642-1738

Fax: 510-642-9850

Student Services Adviser

Sharmila Shinde

Graduate Office: 1995 University Ave., Ste 510E

Phone: 510-642-0333

Fax: 510-643-7062

asianst@berkeley.edu

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