Students will learn a
variety of perspectives and disciplines to reach in-depth
understanding of Asia. Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program drawing on the expertise of faculty from over ten departments in the college, with the broad mission of promoting greater awareness and understanding of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, through:
Teaching on Asia
Each academic year, the Asia
n Studies Program faculty teach several dozen courses in over ten departments for undergraduate and graduate students, with the goals of:
enhancing the international outlook of students through General Education courses;
providing future teachers of elementary and secondary school with greater global range in the fields of Social Studies and Foreign Languages;
offering an integrated approach to the study of language and culture, through a balanced roster of courses that together form the basis for the Major in Asian Studies;
enabling students in other fields to develop an area focus through the Minor or Double Major in Asian Studies; and
training students in using library resources on Asia, in conjunction with the Sojourner Truth Library. Instruction is greatly augmented by a superb library collection of books and periodicals on Asia. The Program encourages student persistence and recognizes academic excellence through awards for students such as the Annual Asian Studies Book Award. Research on Asia
As a community of scholars, the Asian Studies Program functions a campus and community resource encouraging conversations about Asia across the disciplines. The faculty is committed to:
pursuing original research, often using Asian language sources and/or overseas archives;
communicating new research findings on Asia, through teaching, publications, presentations, and conferences locally, regionally, nationally, and overseas;
working closely with the Sojourner Truth Library on new acquisitions of Asia resources, and on providing training for students in conducting library and database research on Asia;
advising students interested in graduate study on Asia and professions involving Asia; and
serving as a base for the New York Conference on Asian Studies (NYCAS), one of eight regional conferences of the Association for Asian Studies, holding annual meetings designed to bring together all persons interested in Asia for discussion sessions and presentations of Asia's music, dance, and art. Campus Programs & Events
The Asian Studies Program brings together students, faculty, and alumni with common interests in Asia by:
organizing stimulating campus events relating to Asia, such as film screenings, roundtable discussions, and an Annual Spring Festival;
serving as a liaison with Asia-related student organizations that seek to work with faculty and students in Asian Studies;
working with the Alumni, Sponsored Programs, and Development offices to enhance opportunities for students who have an interest in Asia;
functioning as a nexus for new initiatives on Asia across the campus, involving the Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arts, Business, and Education;
coordinating with regional and area institutions on new Asia programs;
overseeing the Friends of Asian Studies Endowment, established with the generous support of alumni, faculty, and friends of the program to support Asia initiatives and reward student excellence. Overseas Programs
The Asian Studies Program strongly encourages study abroad in Asia through SUNY and other international programs, by:
providing academic advising for students interested in pursuing study and teaching in Asia; and
working with the Center for International Programs and SUNY in developing new overseas programs. For more information on the variety of Asia-related news, programs, events, and organizations on campus, current students, faculty and staff may subscribe to the Asian Studies Community list and Blackboard site. To subscribe, just contact us by email as follows.
