UMass Boston

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Cross-Cultural East Asian Studies Minor

Develop a Multi-Disciplinary Understanding of East Asian Cultures. 

UMass Boston’s Cross-Cultural East Asian Studies Minor is designed for students who want to develop a broad, multi-disciplinary understanding of East Asian cultures (including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan).

In this program, you’ll learn about East Asia’s diverse history, cultures, and languages. You’ll also gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a leader in a global context, preparing you to work and engage with people from different backgrounds.

After completing this minor, you can work in many different roles, including educator, community advocate, translator, diplomat, or journalist.  

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Complete an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Introductory Course (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

  • ASIAN 160L - East Asian Civilizations to 1850 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 161L - East Asian Civilizations since 1850 3 Credit(s)

Electives (18 to 20 Credits)

Take six courses from the list below. You may choose to take two semesters of an East Asian language in place of one elective otherwise all electives must be non-language courses. At least two electives must be 300-level or higher.

  • ASIAN 104L - Introduction to East Asian Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 115L - Survey of South Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 160L - East Asian Civilizations to 1850 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 161L - East Asian Civilizations since 1850 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 358L - Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 359L - Women in Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 360L - Traditional China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 361L - The History of Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 362L - Japanese Art from 16th to 20th Centuries: Japan and the West 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 363L - Modern Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 256 - The Arts of Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 258 - The Arts of China 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 202 - Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 387 - The Government and Politics of China (C) 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete at least 21 credits from seven courses, including one introductory course and six electives.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all minor courses.
Pass/fail: Only one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least four courses for the minor must be completed at UMass Boston.
Course level: Only two 100-level courses may be applied toward the minor. At least two courses applied toward the minor must be at the 300-level or higher.

Contact

Shaman Hatley, PhD, Department Chair    
Wheatley Hall, 6th Floor, Room 86
617.287.6492
Shaman.Hatley [@] umb.edu

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Asian Studies Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Asian Studies department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore the Department of Asian Studies
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College of Liberal Arts

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions