Faculty

Ruth W. Dunnell
Director, James P. Storer Professor of Asian History

Joseph A. Adler
Professor of Asian Studies

Jianhua Bai
Professor of Chinese

Sarah Blick
Associate Professor of Art History

Nurten Kilic-Schubel
Assistant Professor of History

Maria E. Mendonca
Luce Assistant Professor of Asian Music and Culture

Vernon J. Schubel
NEH Distinguished Teaching Professor of Religious Studies

Wendy F. Singer
Roy T. Wortman Distinguished Professor in History

Anna Xiao Dong Sun
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Asian Studies

Hideo Tomita
Professor of Japanese

Yang Xiao
Associate Professor of Philosophy

Yan Zhou
Visual Resources Curator and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art History

The Asian Studies Concentration at Kenyon is an interdisciplinary program that integrates coursework in anthropology, art history, history, language, music, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology. The program also sponsors films, invites speakers to the College, and promotes other social and cultural events to stimulate campus awareness of the societies of East and Southeast Asia, India and its neighbors, and the Islamic world.

With Asia as its point of reference, the curriculum encourages students to understand Asian peoples as actors on the scene of regional and world history, rather than as objects of non-Asian peoples' enterprises and observations. An important goal of the concentration is the development of a critical understanding of the ways in which people of the interrelated regions of Asia have historically defined and expressed themselves.

The concentration in Asian studies comprises three elements: (1) at least one year of language study; (2) 1.5 units of coursework in selected areas of Asian culture, including an approved foundation course; and (3) a one-semester senior seminar. The concentration enables students to integrate their studies of the histories, cultures, and societies of Asia in a comparative and interdisciplinary format, through their participation in the senior seminar.

Beginning Asian Studies

Students hoping to spend all or part of their junior year in China or Japan should certainly begin to study the appropriate language in their first two years at Kenyon. New students interested in Asia who have not yet declared a major or a concentration are welcome to seek specific advice from any of the Asian studies faculty members.

Concentration Requirements and Curriculum

1. Language study
One year of instruction in a relevant Asian language is required. This requirement can be met by taking two semesters of Modern Chinese (CHNS), Japanese, or Sanskrit at Kenyon. The equivalent of one year of approved college-level Asian language instruction at another accredited academic institution will also meet the requirement, as will some intensive summer programs. With the prior approval of the director of the Asian Studies Concentration, a student may use a semester of intensive language study abroad to fulfill the language requirement. In the case of transfer students, credit will be accepted for a year of Asian language study with a grade of C+ or better pursued at another institution. If the program committee determines that a student possesses native proficiency in an Asian language, it will waive the requirement.

The program committee strongly recommends that students continue language study beyond the first year.

2. Area and disciplinary coursework
Students are required to take 1.5 units (three semester courses) about Asia other than language courses. These courses must be from the list of courses offered under Asian studies at Kenyon but may also include relevant courses taken in study-abroad programs. Students are strongly encouraged to build comparison into their curricular choices by taking at least one course representing a region of Asia different from that of their language study.

Courses not specifically focused on Asia will not be counted toward the concentration. Where any doubt arises, please ask a member of the Asian studies faculty. Double-counting for the major and the concentration is permitted.

3. Senior Seminar: Asia in Comparative Perspective
This .5-unit course is required for students fulfilling the requirements for the Asian Studies Concentration and is open to other students on a permission basis. The course will be offered every spring under the direction of a selected Asian studies faculty member and will meet in a seminar format.

Off-Campus Study

Off-campus study in Asia is not required, but it is highly recommended. Students should consult Asian studies faculty members and the director of international education for the numerous opportunities available to Kenyon students to study in Asia for one semester or a year. Summer language-study programs are also available for students who need to prepare for off-campus study or desire to learn an Asian language not offered at Kenyon (e.g., Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Vietnamese).