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AIS: East Asian Studies


Co-Conveners: Faculty:
Wooseon Choi
Tae Yang Kwak
Ronald H. Hayashida
Susan Hangen


About the Minor

In recent years, the center of the global economy has shifted to the Pacific Basin. The United States is on one side of this vast area, and the Asia Pacific region is on the other. East Asia, with the world's greatest concentration of population and its most volatile economies, comprise the epicenter of Asia Pacific. It has, therefore become imperative for Americans to understand an area that includes China, Japan, the two Koreas, Hong Kong, Taiwan Mongolia, Southeast Asia and Far Eastern Russia.

America's role in the world, its economic competitiveness, and its ability to meet the challenges of the new millennium – all rely on a clear perception of the history, politics, economics, sociology, culture and languages of East Asia. Learning about East Asia is in fact learning about those forces that affect our country, our jobs, our businesses, our households and indeed ourselves.

The East Asian Studies minor, totaling 20 credits, is offered by a faculty with various disciplines in anthropology/sociology, political science, business/ economics, psychology, and languages. Its two interdisciplinary foundation courses of three credits each are: East Asia: History and Politics of China, Japan, and Korea, and peoples and cultures of Asia. These basic courses provide the student with a broad historical, political and cultural background to the region as a whole. One 200-level course and two additional 300-level courses also are required from an approved list of course offerings. An East Asian language course of the appropriate level may be substituted for these requirements. Many other upper division courses on the politics and history of specific East Asian countries, courses in law, religion, immigration, business, sociology, and others, are offered each year.

The growing demand for knowledge of East Asia as well as for skills in its languages has paralleled the region's growth of importance in the global economy. Careers in international business, international studies, government, communications, journalism, education, East Asian affiliate companies all have put a premium on knowledge about East Asia. Credentials with a specialization in the area have opened up numerous options for career applicants.

Ramapo College has established study abroad programs with educational institutions in East Asia. Our students have studied in Wuhan, China, Ramapo's last summer program in China has drawn many students who wish to study in Shanghai or in Hong Kong. We regularly have visiting professors from China who teach the language and culture of their country. Visiting scholars from Japan have also enriched our courses. More individualized programs of study in conjunction with other programs in East Asia, such as the New Jersey State Consortium for International Studies, have been arranged for Ramapo students.

Requirements of the Minor


Subject & Course # Title & Course Description

Required Courses:

INTL 204 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF ASIA
SELECT ONE:  
POLI 233 EAST ASIA: HISTORY AND POLITICS
HIST 277 INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN CIVILIZATION
Elective Requirement: Three Courses*
SELECT ONE *200 Level Course:
  East Asian Language course
AMER 206 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS
INTL 235 CHINESE CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION
POLI 253 ASIA PACIFIC POLITCAL SYSTEMS
HIST 277 INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS
HIST 278 THE UNITED STATES AND EAST ASIA
HIST 279 JAPAN: EARLY CIVILIZATION TO MODERN REVOLUTION
HIST 290 TOPICS:
SELECT TWO *300/400 Level Courses:
INTL 312 CHINESE CINEMA: HISTORY AND POLITICS
POLI 301 CHINA: HISTORY, POLITICS AND CULTURE
POLI 305 JAPAN: HISTORY, POLITICS AND CULTURE
POLI 366 U.S. - CHINA RELATIONS
HIST 310 MODERN KOREA AND THE WORLD
HIST 308 KOREAN CINEMA AND MODERN SOCIETY
IBUS 321 CHINA AND OTHER BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS IN ASIA
 
*Foundations Language courses I and II together  with Intermediate Language courses I and II may be substituted for the  minor's 3 course elective requirement

Note: A school core is NOT required for completion of the minor.Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.


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