Asian Studies

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

Program Description

Our Asian Studies Program geographically encompasses East Asia (China/Taiwan, Japan, the Koreas, and Mongolia), Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), and South Asia (Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). We offer in depth examinations of particular countries while also analyzing transnational issues that connect Asia, other regions, and the rest of the world including the United States.

The major is designed to provide students with a coherent introduction to the language, history, and culture of these Asian societies and to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the major social and political forces at work in the region, supported by appropriate language training. Graduates of the program either continue their studies at graduate institutions or utilize their knowledge and training through employment in government, business,  education, or the non-profit sector relating to this increasingly important region of the world.

The minors offer students a framework to explore one or more Asian societies from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is particularly relevant for students in various academic or applied disciplines who have a regional interest in Asia.

Degree Programs

BA in Asian Studies

BA in Asian Studies (Chinese Studies)

BA in Asian Studies (Japanese Studies)

BA in Asian Studies (Korean Studies)

Minor in Asian Studies

Minor in Korean Studies

Minor in South and Southeast Asian Studies

Special Features

  • The program comprises faculty in departments such as Anthropology, Art, Education, Ethnic Studies, History, Humanities and Religious Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and World Languages and Literatures.
  • The program strongly encourages students to expand their horizons through training in Asian languages and study abroad opportunities.
  • Our major can help you develop tangible skills: language ability, adaptability, open-mindedness, care & compassion, cultural awareness, knowledge of the region, and more. It is also a program that is well-suited to partnering with your current pathway, earning a credential with a second major, or a minor in Asian Studies, Korean Studies, or South and Southeast Asian Studies.

Contact Information

James Rae, Director
Amador Hall 452A
(916) 278-4440
rae@csus.edu

Jeffrey Dym, Vice Director
Tahoe Hall 3088
(916) 278-4425
dym@csus.edu

Rodrigo da Silva, Administrative Support Coordinator 
r.silva@csus.edu

www.csus.edu/asia

Faculty

CHIRAPRAVATI, PAT

CHO, EUNMI

DUBOIS, JOEL

DYM, JEFFREY

KIM-JU, GREG

KWON, JUNE HEE

LEE, YOUNG-IM

MASUYAMA, KAZUE

MONI, SUJATHA

QIN, AMELIA YING

RAE, JAMES DESHAW

SMITH, CURTIS

TRICHUR, RAGHURAMAN

VANN, MICHAEL

VASSIL, KRISTINA SAKAMOTO