This interdisciplinary minor is for students whose interests focus on the humanities and social sciences and Asia's role in global systems and the cultural mosaic of human experience.
Asia is the birthplace of many great religious and cultural traditions. It is a region in rapid and profound transformation. With half of the world's population and half of its land mass, Asia is destined to play an increasingly important role in the global economy and world politics. This minor will give students a better understanding of an important region of the world, broaden their perspective, and provide an edge in seeking jobs in various government agencies, international organizations, private businesses, law firms, and non-profit organizations that deal with Asia. It prepares students for graduate studies in the humanities or social sciences. This minor complements many majors including history, anthropology, communication, economics, and government and politics.
Faculty
Chang, Cuong, DeCaroli, Hinton, H. Nguyen, Lin, Paden, Platt, Ro, Son (director), Wan, Zhang
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and nine of the 18 credits required must be at the 300 and 400 level. Three credits of Chinese, Korean, or Japanese at the intermediate level (200-level) or above may be applied to the minor. Students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
It is recommended that students interested in this minor take language courses in Chinese, Korean, or Japanese.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
One course (3 credits) in a language relevant to the area such as Chinese, Korean, or Japanese at the 200-level (or higher) | ||
| Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Government and Politics of Asia | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Arts of China (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Chinese Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Film | ||
| Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Chinese Studies | ||
| Chinese Foreign Policy | ||
| Political Economy of East Asia | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | ||
| Buddhism (Mason Core) | ||
| Daoism | ||
| Comparative Study of Mysticism | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Any course from the list of core course options not used to fulfill that requirement may be used as an elective course. Other electives are possible, including special topics courses when focused on this region (e.g. GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core), HIST 387 Topics in Global History (Mason Core), HNRS 122 Reading the Arts (Topic Varies), and approved study abroad courses or internships, when relevant, with prior written approval of the director.