Phone: (845) 257-3538
Location: JFT 418
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 that draws on the expertise of faculty from over 10 academic departments. Our major and minor in Asian Studies combine Japanese or Chinese language study with regional coverage of South, Southeast, East, and Northeast Asia. Students who major in Asian Studies often choose to pursue a minor or a second major in a different discipline to broaden their academic experience.

The minor in Asian American Studies complements the Asian Studies major and minor, offering students an opportunity to study Asian American history, culture, and society from the perspective of different disciplines. Through courses in literature, sociology, history, cultural geography, and media studies, students will increase their awareness of this important community in the U.S.

The Asian Studies program strongly encourages study abroad in Asia. Through the campus's 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
  • Critical Think Reason Interm
  • Information Literacy (GE3)
  • Liberal Arts
  • GE5: World History Global Aw
  • 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

ASN300. Asian Americans. 3 Credits.

This course uses both the stories and histories of the Asian diaspora to consider the ways in which concepts such as race, ethnicity, gender, immigration, politics, social mobility, colonialism and more are both constructed and reflected in the Asian American experience.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Intermediate
  • Critical Think Reason Interm
  • Diversity
  • GE3: DIVR
  • GE5: DEISJ
  • Information Literacy (GE3)
  • Liberal Arts
May not 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
  • Critical Think Reasoning Adv
  • 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

Faculty

Sunita Bose
Professor, Sociology
Ph.D., University at Albany
Office: JFT 514
Phone: (845) 257-2601
E-mail: boses@newpaltz.edu

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

David Elstein
Professor
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Office: JFT 422
Phone: (845) 257-2314
E-mail: elsteind@newpaltz.edu

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

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

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

Jun Lu
Lecturer, Languages, Literatures & Cultures
Office: OM 307
Phone: (845) 257-3480
E-mail: luj@newpaltz.edu

Dasol Kim
Assistant Professor, Digital Media & Journalism
MFA, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
Office: CSB 36
Phone: (845) 257-3451
E-mail: kimd@newpaltz.edu

Lauren Mark
Assistant Professor, Communication
Office: CSB 46
Phone: (845) 257-3438
E-mail: markl@newpaltz.edu

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

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

Jonathan Schwartz
Professor, Political Science & International Relations
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Office: JFT 816
Phone: (845) 257-2627
E-mail: schwartj@newpaltz.edu

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

Roderic Tierney
Lecturer, Anthropology
Office: WH 331
Phone: (845) 257-2973
E-mail: tierneyr@newpaltz.edu