Asian Studies
Whether considering the dynamics of the global economy or the contours of local communities, familiarity with the languages, histories, and cultures of East Asia is essential to understanding the increasingly interconnected world in which we live. The interdisciplinary knowledge and skills students obtain in the Asian Studies minor serve as a foundation for travel, study, or work in East Asia as well as for employment with companies in the United States that do business in East Asia or for further study at the graduate level. Opportunities for graduates with an Asian Studies minor include work in the fields of business, government, health care, journalism, social work, and law.
Mission Statement
The Asian Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with the opportunities to develop a basic facility in Korean or Japanese language and an understanding of the histories, cultures, religions, politics, and economies of East Asia.
Program Objectives
The Asian Studies minor is organized around three objectives. The first is to provide students with the opportunity to develop basic conversational ability and familiarity with the writing systems of either Korean or Japanese through a minimum of one year (six hours) of Korean or Japanese language study at LaGrange College. The second is to enable students to gain a grounding in and familiarity with the general dynamics of East Asian histories and cultures through the required courses HIST 2380 Introduction to the History of East Asia and RLGN 1104 Dialogue with World Faith Traditions. The third is to provide students the space to develop further Asian Studies expertise in areas of individual interest through at least six hours of elective courses in Art and Design, Business, History, Japanese language, Korean language, Political Science, or Religion.
Program Objectives Assessment
The assessment of program objectives are evidenced by the required and elective courses offered each semester by the respective programs.
Student Learning Objectives
Students completing the Asian Studies minor will be able to 1) demonstrate basic conversational and reading ability in Korean or Japanese 2) describe and analyze the dynamics of the histories and cultures of East Asia and 3) show further Asian Studies expertise in areas of individual student interest.
Student Learning Assessment
Student learning objectives are assessed through the written assignments, oral presentations, and written and oral exams completed in required and elective courses in the minor. Successful attainment of student learning objectives shall be understood to be a minimum grade of C in all courses counting toward the satisfaction of minor requirements.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
Minor in Asian Studies