Phone: (845) 257-3538
Location: JFT 904
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/asianstudies

The Asian Studies program offers students the opportunity to deepen their international outlook and cultural understanding of Asia through interdisciplinary study. In conjunction with Japanese or Chinese language study, students may choose from several dozen courses offered by faculty from over ten departments. The program's regional coverage includes South, Southeast, East and Northeast Asia.

Students in Asian Studies often, though not always, combine their Asian Studies major with another major or minor in a particular discipline.

The Asian Studies program strongly encourages study abroad in Asia. Through the campus' Center for International Programs, students have access to many opportunities including, but not limited to, programs in China, Japan, Korea, and India.

Graduates with expertise in Asia are sought by employers in a wide range of professions, including academia, business, government and think tanks, international companies and organizations, libraries and museums, media, non-profit organizations, and the teaching professions at home and abroad.

Asian Studies (BA) Program Learning Outcomes

  • Speak, read and write at least one Asian language (at the intermediate level);

  • Demonstrate an integrated, balanced understanding of the region in the humanities/arts and the social sciences (General Education: Critical Thinking and Reasoning);

  • Conduct research on Asia and exhibit a familiarity and comfort with various data sources on Asia (General Education: Information Literacy);

  • Illustrate skills in one or more disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia;

  • Acquire substantive knowledge of Asia.

ASN100. East-West Living & Learning Community. 1 Credit.

Participation in a Living & Learning community bringing together domestic students interested in cultures of Asia with students from those countries in a dorm setting where they engage in educational activities.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May be repeated for credit

ASN200. Introduction to Asia. 3 Credits.

A gateway to the Asian Studies major. The introduction exposes students to important concepts, themes and developments in Asia.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Intermediate
  • Information Literacy (GE3)
  • Liberal Arts
  • GE4: World Civilizations
  • GE3: WRLD

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May not be repeated for credit

ASN293. Asian Studies Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

May be repeated for credit

ASN295. Independent Study Asian Studie. 1-12 Credits.

May be repeated for credit

ASN393. Selected Topics. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

ASN399. Asian Studies Modular Course. 1-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

ASN400. Asian Studies Seminar. 1 Credit.

Capstone for graduating Asian Studies majors. Students will take this course after having completed a Capstone Prerequisite Course (CPC) with a minimum grade of B-.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Advanced
  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
  • Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration): Asian Studies (503)
May not be repeated for credit

ASN495. Independent Study Asian. 1-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

Sunita Bose
Professor and Chair, Sociology
Ph.D., University at Albany
Office: JFT 516A
Phone: (845) 257-2601
boses@newpaltz.edu

Nathen Clerici
Associate Professor, Languages, Literatures & Cultures
Ph.D., University of British Columbia
Office: OM 308C
Phone: (845) 257-3488
clericin@newpaltz.edu

David Elstein
Professor and Chair, Philosophy
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Office: JFT 914
Phone: (845) 257-2314
elsteind@newpaltz.edu

Heinz Insu Fenkl
Professor, English
M.A., University of California-Davis
Office: JFT 618
Phone: (845) 257-2743
fenklh@newpaltz.edu

Kristine Harris
Associate Professor, History
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: JFT 922
Phone: (845) 257-3546
harrisk@newpaltz.edu

Jaclynne Kerner
Associate Professor, Art History
Ph.D., New York University
Office: SAB 108F
Phone: (845) 257-3852
kernerj@newpaltz.edu

Sun Hee Kil
Associate Professor, Theater Arts
MFA, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
Office: SAB 102A
Phone: (845) 257-3869
kils@newpaltz.edu

Lauren Meeker
Associate Professor, Anthropology
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: WH 333
Phone: (845) 257-2989
meekerl@newpaltz.edu

Melissa Rock
Associate Professor, Geography
Office: SH 103
Phone: (845) 257-2994
myrock@newpaltz.edu

Jonathan Schwartz
Professor, Political Science & International Relations
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Office: JFT 1016
Phone: (845) 257-2627
schwartj@newpaltz.edu

Akira Shimada
Professor, History; Director of Asian Studies
Ph.D., University of London
Office: JFT 418
Phone: (845) 257-3538
shimadaa@newpaltz.edu