UH Manoa Asian Studies Department

UH Manoa Asian Studies Department Interdisciplinary program for the study of Asia at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Many of these departments offer the Ph.D. with a focus on Asia.

At UH Manoa, Asian Studies covers a broad geographical arc including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The approach to the study of these interrelated regions is interdisciplinary, taught by faculty trained in the geography, history, anthropology, political science, sociology, language and literature, ethnomusicology, performing arts, and urban and regional planning of Asia. In addition to the faculty in SPAS, there are approximately 286 faculty and staff who are Asia specialists in different departments and programs throughout the campus. 600 courses on Asia (or with substantive Asia content) are taught at UH Manoa, a unique strength the Asian Studies Program utilizes in crafting its BA and MA degrees. The Asian Studies Program offers an unprecedented opportunity for students to study a wide range of topics, disciplines, and methodologies to design their individual programs to suit their particular interests. This interdisciplinary approach to the study of Asia, focused on the social sciences and humanities, is the heart of the program's mission. Finally, competency in an Asian language commensurate with the student's focus and level is considered fundamental, and is a required part of the program. The following disciplines, fields, and programs serve ASP's interdisciplinary mission: American Studies, Anthropology, Art and Art History, Business, East Asian Languages and Literatures, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Ethnomusicology, Geography, History, Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures, Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, Theater and Dance, Urban and Regional Planning, and Women's Studies. The Asian Studies Program offers a graduate certificate in Asian Studies to students taking degrees in other programs. The Asian Studies Program is also closely linked in terms of students, faculty, courses, fellowships, staff, and daily operations to all of SPAS' eight Centers, three of which are recognized as National Resource Centers: Southeast Asia, East Asia and Pacific Islands Studies. The possibilities are endless.

Music and Dances from Central Nepal: The Works of Subi Shah, Volume 1, is now available from Dr. Anna Stirr, Associate P...
09/16/2026

Music and Dances from Central Nepal: The Works of Subi Shah, Volume 1, is now available from
Dr. Anna Stirr, Associate Professor of Asian Studies, is Project Director of this multimedia project featuring translation of Subi Shah's works, transcription of his musical scores, audiovisual documentation of music and dances, and historical and ethnographic introductions and annotations.

The book is open access and available for free download at https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0246

In this book, performer, educator, and writer Subi Shah presents an essential commentary and analysis of Himalayan folk music and performance. Having documented this musical tradition since the 1960s, Shah has created in-depth analyses of song, dance, music, poetry, and drama within their local and spiritual contexts. Shah's detailed contribution to this field is invaluable reading for students, scholars, and musicians alike.

Music and Dances from Central Nepal is the first English translation of Shah's works. This collection includes three published works—Madal, "Pangdure (Maruni) Folk Dances", and Glimpses of Nepali Folk Songs—and three unpublished manuscripts— Introduction to Nepali Tunes, Sorati, and Basic Theory of Folk Dance.

This book stays true to Shah's voice and style, equipping the reader with the translated text, and tools such as audio and video examples, musical scores, and glossaries, which enrich our understanding of Himalayan performance.
In keeping with Shah's intentions to make his work available to all, and to keep these traditions of Himalayan folk music and performance alive, these highly accessible translations will be a valuable resource for a larger readership to explore this field. In doing so, this book makes an effort to decolonise ethnomusicology through the promotion of a Nepali artist's theories and analysis within a Himalayan tradition.

This summer, Assistant Professor Gillian Bogart joined UHM students as accompanying faculty for a summer field school in...
09/14/2026

This summer, Assistant Professor Gillian Bogart joined UHM students as accompanying faculty for a summer field school in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The field school is part of UHM's LuceSEA Transitions project, which explores environmental and socio-political shifts unfolding in Southeast Asia today.

Research papers and presentations are in process; research posters are currently on view in the Hamilton Library.

Join us tomorrow for a discussion featuring Dr. Adam P. Liff, Professor of East Asian International Relations at Indiana...
09/13/2026

Join us tomorrow for a discussion featuring Dr. Adam P. Liff, Professor of East Asian International Relations at Indiana University, in conversation with Dr. Shuxian Luo of Asian Studies at UHM. This webinar will discuss Dr. Liff's 2025 book "U.S. Allies and the Taiwan Strait," which analyzes Taiwan's policies of six major democratic US treaty allies (Japan, Australia, South Korea, the UK, France, and Germany) and the European Union, examining how they contribute to maintaining the status quo.

Pre-registration is required for this event; see the flyer or click the link below for details.

When: Monday, September 14th, from 1-2pm HST
Where: Online
Register here: https://go.hawaii.edu/K9R

Over the summer, MAIA student Taylah Castle represented UHM at the 2026 China Deep Dive Program sponsored by Peking Univ...
09/10/2026

Over the summer, MAIA student Taylah Castle represented UHM at the 2026 China Deep Dive Program sponsored by Peking University. She additionally spent two months of the summer studying Mandarin at National Taiwan Normal University.

Join us on Monday, September 14th for a discussion featuring Dr. Adam P. Liff, Professor of East Asian International Rel...
09/10/2026

Join us on Monday, September 14th for a discussion featuring Dr. Adam P. Liff, Professor of East Asian International Relations at Indiana University, in conversation with Dr. Shuxian Luo of Asian Studies at UHM. This webinar will discuss Dr. Liff's 2025 book "U.S. Allies and the Taiwan Strait," which analyzes Taiwan's policies of six major democratic US treaty allies (Japan, Australia, South Korea, the UK, France, and Germany) and the European Union, examining how they contribute to maintaining the status quo.

Pre-registration is required for this event; see the flyer or click the link below for details.

When: Monday, September 14th, from 1-2pm HST
Where: Online
Register here: https://go.hawaii.edu/K9R

Register now for Fall '26: ASAN 629 Asian Security Cultures!Course simulates national security debates on contemporary A...
09/01/2026

Register now for Fall '26: ASAN 629 Asian Security Cultures!

Course simulates national security debates on contemporary Asia, drawing on history, recent scholarship, & current socio-political dynamics. (3 credits)

When: T 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: MOORE 120
Instructor: Dr. Famularo

Registration for Fall 2026 ends TODAY, September 1! The Department of Asian Studies will be offering 28 classes in total...
09/01/2026

Registration for Fall 2026 ends TODAY, September 1! The Department of Asian Studies will be offering 28 classes in total: 19 undergraduate and 9 graduate courses. More information on each class is available on our socials, STAR, & the Course Catalog website. https://www.sis.hawaii.edu:9234/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/classSearch/classSearch

A select number of the classes on offer are listed below:
ASAN 150: Intro Asia Research & Writing
ASAN 202: Intro to Asian Studies: South/Southeast Asia
ASAN 303: Bollywood Dance, Music, & Film
ASAN 310: Studying Asia Culturally
ASAN 308: Chinese Political Economy
ASAN 320C: Asia Past & Present: China
ASAN 320J: Asia Past & Present: Japan
ASAN 324: Chado-The Way of Tea Practicum
ASAN 325D: Japan Film: Art and History
ASAN 320K: Asia Past & Present: Korea
ASAN 406: Modern Philippines
ASAN 600C: Approaches to Asian Studies: China
ASAN 600J: Approaches to Asian Studies: Japan
ASAN 600K: Approaches to Asian Studies: Korea
ASAN 600S: Approaches to Asian Studies: Southeast Asia
ASAN 627: Ethnic Nationalism in Asia
ASAN 629: Asian Security Cultures
ASAN 689: International Relations Asia

Register now for Fall '26: ASAN 627 Ethnic Nationalism in Asia!Contemporary theories of ethnic & cultural nationalism in...
08/31/2026

Register now for Fall '26: ASAN 627 Ethnic Nationalism in Asia!

Contemporary theories of ethnic & cultural nationalism in Asia. Includes issues of nation-state, power hierarchies, modernity, & identity. (3 credits)

When: TR 2:30-5:00 pm
Where: MOORE 228
Instructor: Dr. Clayton

Registration for Fall 2026 ends TOMMROW, September 1! The Department of Asian Studies will be offering 28 classes in tot...
08/31/2026

Registration for Fall 2026 ends TOMMROW, September 1! The Department of Asian Studies will be offering 28 classes in total: 19 undergraduate and 9 graduate courses. More information on each class is available on our socials, STAR, & the Course Catalog website. https://www.sis.hawaii.edu:9234/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/classSearch/classSearch

A select number of the classes on offer are listed below:

ASAN 150: Intro Asia Research & Writing
ASAN 202: Intro to Asian Studies: South/Southeast Asia
ASAN 303: Bollywood Dance, Music, & Film
ASAN 310: Studying Asia Culturally
ASAN 308: Chinese Political Economy
ASAN 320C: Asia Past & Present: China
ASAN 320J: Asia Past & Present: Japan
ASAN 324: Chado-The Way of Tea Practicum
ASAN 325D: Japan Film: Art and History
ASAN 320K: Asia Past & Present: Korea
ASAN 406: Modern Philippines
ASAN 600C: Approaches to Asian Studies: China
ASAN 600J: Approaches to Asian Studies: Japan
ASAN 600K: Approaches to Asian Studies: Korea
ASAN 600S: Approaches to Asian Studies: Southeast Asia
ASAN 627: Ethnic Nationalism in Asia
ASAN 629: Asian Security Cultures
ASAN 689: International Relations Asia

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