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Asian Studies Major Requirements
(starting in Fall 2026)

B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Preparation for the Major (6 units)
  • ASIAN 100 - State and Society in the Asia Pacific (3 units)
  • ASIAN 101 - Asian Thought and Cultures (3 units)
Major (27 units)

Required Core Courses (9 units)

  • ASIAN 395 - Research Methods in the Study of Asia (3 units)
  • ASIAN 458 - Asian Traditions (3 units)
  • ASIAN 465 - Seminar on Contemporary Asia Pacific (3 units)

Upper Division Major Electives (18 units)

Complete a minimum of 18 upper division units of Asian Studies courses numbered 300-599. Courses from other departments [or cross-listed courses] acceptable for the Asian Studies major include:

  • ASIAN 321 - Korean Civilization (also listed as KOR 321 - Korean Civilization) (3 units)
  • ASIAN 421 - Asian History since 1600 (also listed as HIST 421 - Asian History since 1600) (3 units)
  • ASIAN 430 - Contemporary Korean Culture Through Media (also listed as KOR 430 - Contemporary Korean Culture through Media) (3 units)
  • ASIAN 351 - Chinese Philosophy (also listed as PHIL 351 - Chinese Philosophy) (3 units)
  • CHIN 496 - Topics in Chinese Studies (1-4 units)
  • CHIN 499 - Special Study (1-3 units)
  • HIST 420 - Asian History to 1600 (3 units)
  • HIST 566 - Ancient and Imperial China (3 units)
  • HIST 567 - China in Revolution (3 units)
  • HIST 570 - Modern Japan: From Samurai to Sony (3 units)
  • HIST 574 - Arab-Israeli Relations, Past and Present (3 units)
  • JAPAN 421 - Japanese Literature Through Text and Film (3 units) ^
  • JAPAN 496 - Topics in Japanese Studies (1-4 units)
  • JAPAN 499 - Special Study (1-3 units)
  • PHIL 353 - Buddhist Philosophy (3 units)
  • PHIL 516 - Global Aesthetics (3 units) *
  • PHIL 565 - Asian Philosophies (3 units)
  • PHIL 575 - A Major Philosopher (3 units) *
  • POL S 362 - Governments and Politics of East Asia (3 units)
  • POL S 365 - Chinese Politics (3 units)
  • POL S 575 - International Relations of the Pacific Rim (3 units) ^
  • REL S 338 - Buddhism (3 units)
  • REL S 339 - Religions of India (3 units)
  • REL S 345 - Religions of East Asia (3 units)
  • REL S 581 - Major Theme (3 units) *
  • REL S 583 - Major Tradition (3 units) *
  • REL S 596 - Advanced Topics in Religious Studies (1-3 units) *

Other Asian-content courses may be applied to the major with written approval of the undergraduate adviser.

Note:

*Acceptable when of relevant content.

^Indicates course with prerequisites not included in requirements listed above.

Please see the SDSU Catalog for further graduation requirements.