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East Asian Studies

Contact

Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964

About East Asian Studies

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.



CLASSES YOU CAN TAKE:

Introduction to East Asian Civilizations, The United States and East Asia, Modern Korea and the World, East Asia: History and Politics, Peoples and Cultures of Asia, Contemporary South Asia, Music in Asia,  

See Full Program Requirements

Career Opportunities

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.

Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges

Job TitleSalary Range
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Varies - Varies
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$41,890 - $174,550
Interpreters and Translators$42,960 - $114,360
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$44,670 - $154,440
Historians$54,770 - $100,860
Human Resources Managers$92,900 - Varies

* Sources of Information: United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). For more information about careers and assistance in making your career plans, please contact Career Services (cahill@ramapo.edu) or visit www.ramapo.edu/careercenter/.

Hands-On Learning

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.