BA in Asian Studies in Riverside United States | University of California, Riverside

The Asian Studies program enables students to explore diverse Asian regions through an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating courses and faculty expertise from multiple departments within the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. The curriculum emphasizes instruction in East, Southeast, and South Asian languages while also examining Asian history, literature, and cultural traditions. Additional coursework addresses the cultural heritage and experiences of Asian Americans and global diaspora
populations. Participants can specialize in any area related to Asia or Asian America, with strong recommendations to concentrate in disciplines such as Anthropology, Art History, History, Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages, Ethnic Studies, Music and Culture, Media and Cultural Studies, or Religious Studies. The program allows for examination of historical connections and cultural parallels and contrasts among East, Northeast, South, Southeast, West, and Central Asian societies, including transnational and diaspora groups worldwide. Those focusing on diaspora communities may also consider supplementing their studies with an Ethnic Studies emphasis, potentially earning a minor in Asian American Studies.
Faculty in Asian Studies maintain distinguished publication histories and engage in varied research initiatives, spanning topics from Imperial Chinese printing and Javanese gamelan to Vietnamese cinema and contemporary Indonesian writing. The program demonstrates particular strength in performance, film, and media studies, with contributing scholars from Anthropology, Comparative Literature and Languages, Ethnic Studies, History, Religious Studies, and Philosophy departments.
Graduates of the Asian Studies program acquire excellent preparation for either advanced academic study or professional careers requiring Asian expertise, including opportunities in business, government service, and international relations.