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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Asian Studies

Develop an understanding of the diverse cultures and peoples of Asia. Minor in Asian Studies to expand your global perspective.

Program Snapshot

Program Type

Minor

Credit Hours

20

Campus

Salem Campus

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Three young people in a classroom setting, two in a black hoodie, one in a red hoodie, with drums in the background

Our Asian Studies Minor

Learn about the rich history and culture of the Asian continent and people of Asian descent living around the world. Our minor in Asian Studies offers students the opportunity to enrich their education. Develop a deep understanding of a range of cultures and become a global citizen. 

Why choose an Asian Studies minor at Willamette? 

  • Learning beyond the classroom. Join on-campus groups like Asian Coalition for Equality to promote awareness of Asian American issues. Students can also take part in campus activities like Lunar New Year celebrations and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
  • Study abroad programs. We encourage our students to pursue study abroad opportunities to deepen their studies and immerse themselves in another culture. Consider studying in countries like China, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, or Japan.
  • Interdisciplinary studies. Examine Asian cultures through the lens of history, politics, art, and language to gain a well-rounded perspective. 

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Our Faculty
Our professors cover different disciplines, topics, and areas related to Asian Studies. They've completed extensive research projects, published works, and even worked together to help guide students. Learn more about the knowledge and skills they bring to the department.
Miho Fujiwara teaches a class.

Curriculum

Explore diverse folklore, religion, art history, and language through a comprehensive study of Asia. Courses in our Asian Studies minor delve into a wide range of aspects of Asian culture. Consider embracing language studies through our Japanese and Chinese Departments. Learn how our curriculum can help prepare you for an interconnected world.

  • ASIA 310 Asian Social Media in a Global Context

    Dive into the world of Asian social media, where you'll explore its role in digital culture and globalization. Engage critically with how social media is shaped by cultural contexts, power dynamics, and individual expression, and develop your own ethical approach to digital participation.

  • ASIA 210 Making and Playing of Traditional Musical Instruments

    Gain hands-on experience in making, practicing, and investigating various traditional art forms and music. Students will use brush pens for calligraphy, make and play flutes, and create handcrafts, while reading and discussing classic texts, researching topics, and presenting their learned skills.

Program Requirements

Students pursuing an Asian Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours of courses. These courses must include one introductory course and four courses directly related to the study of Asia. Of those four courses, two must be 300 or 400 level courses.

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Admissions Information

Our Asian Studies minor is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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FAQs

Willamette University

Asian Studies