Requirements for the Joint Major

The Asian studies major is a joint major with one of the following departments: Art (art history), History, Modern Languages and Literatures (Chinese), or Religious Studies. It provides a structured yet flexible curriculum to enable students to focus their work on Asia while acquiring a solid methodological grounding in an academic discipline. Students must fulfill all the requirements of the departmental major, in addition to the specific requirements of the Asian Studies Program as described below. The Senior Exercise will follow the requirements of the joint department and will focus on the Asian region in which the Asian studies language and study-abroad requirements were fulfilled. Double-counting of courses for the departmental major and for the Asian Studies Program is permitted.

1. Language study (1 - 2.5 units)

For Asian languages taught at Kenyon-at present Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic-two years of language study are required. Students electing a joint major with Modern Languages and Literatures (Chinese) will take more than two years of language. One semester of intensive language study in a country where the language is spoken will be considered equivalent to a full year at Kenyon. If a second year of Arabic is not available at Kenyon, one year at Kenyon plus an approved summer or semester abroad will satisfy the requirement.

For Asian languages not taught at Kenyon, one year of intensive study abroad (or an approved intensive summer program combined with a semester abroad) will fulfill the 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, both oral and written, it will waive this requirement, but only if the Senior Exercise focuses on populations that speak that language.

2. Study abroad

At least one semester or one summer (minimum six weeks) in an approved study-abroad program is required. The program must be in a country where the student's Asian language is spoken. A full year of study abroad is highly recommended.

3. Foundation courses (1 unit)

At least two foundation courses (see Courses), in two different areas and two different departments or programs. Areas are defined as East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), South/Southeast Asia (India, Vietnam, Indonesia), and Western/Central Asia (including the Islamic world). Equivalent courses taken abroad can count as foundation courses.

4. Area courses (1.5 unit)

Students must complete three additional courses in one area (see Courses) . One additional foundation course in the area of the student's focus can count as an area course (i.e. the other two must be from the list below). Courses not specifically focused on Asia will not be counted toward the joint major. Language courses beyond the intermediate level that focus specifically on literature, film, or culture may count as area courses. Equivalent courses taken abroad may also count as area courses.

5. Senior Seminar: Asia in Comparative Perspective (.5 unit)

This course is offered every spring under the direction of a selected Asian Studies faculty member and will meet in a seminar format. Topics will vary with the instructor.

6. Senior Exercise

The Senior Exercise will follow the requirements of the joint department. It will focus in a significant way on the Asian area in which the language and study-abroad requirements were fulfilled, and will be supervised by an Asian Studies faculty member in the joint department.