"The minor was a great help to furthering my understanding of Asia and its complexities. It will no doubt be of great assistance when I study abroad in Seoul next year."
Lake Dodson (B.A. in Political Science, Minors in East Asian Studies and Global Security Studies, '24)
About this Program
The College of Liberal Arts offers the interdisciplinary minor in East Asian Studies. It focuses on China, Japan, and Korea, especially the interconnections between East Asian culture, history, and politics. Students gain a critical understanding of East Asia’s central role in the world, both past and present.
The minor helps prepare students for dynamic careers in multiple fields, including business, finance, law, government, policy, medicine, and academia. Students can tailor the minor to their interests and future plans through choices of coursework and unique opportunities such as study abroad and internships.
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Program Information
Program Type
Minor
Area of Study
Interdisciplinary Programs
School
Degree
Program Location
Required Credit Hours
18
Academic Requirements
Students in the East Asian Studies minor complete 18 credit hours in at least three different departments from the approved lists below, with at least one course in each category - China, Northeast Asia (Japan and Korea), and regional focus. Up to 6 hours in an East Asian language may be used towards the minor.
Courses with a focus on China
- AH 381: Art of China
- Chin 300: Envision Taiwan
- Chin 361: China through Film and Literature
- Hst 381: Late Imperial and Modern China
- Hst 382: China in Revolution
- Hst 383: China and the United States since 1784
- Inst 341: Contemporary China
- Mlll 302: China through Literature and Film
- Pol 324: Politics of China
- PPL 376: Policymaking and Governance in China
- Rel 325/Phil 325: Chinese Religions: Confucianism and Daoism
Courses with a focus on Northeast Asia (Japan and Korea)
- Anth 345/Geog 344: Korea: People, Places, and Futures
- AH 382: Art of Japan
- AH 384: Art of Korea
- Hst 389: History of Japan-U.S. Relations
- Hst 482: Samurai in Film
- Hst 387: Modern Japan
- Inst 345: Japan in the World
- Inst 346: The Two Koreas
Courses with a Regional focus
- AH 380: Asian Art
- Hst 180: Intro to East Asian History
- Hst 385/G St 364: Gender/Sexuality in East Asian History
- Inst 310: Topics in East Asian Studies
- Inst 331: Topics in East Asian Studies Abroad
- Pol 337: Asia in World Affairs
- Pol 387: Political Economy of East Asia
- Rel 102: Introduction to Asian Religions
- Rel 308: Buddhism
- Rel 325: Chinese Religions: Confucianism & Daoism
- Rel 353: Sacred Texts in East Asian Religions
- Soc 359: Sociology of Globalization
A Word from the Director
"Our students are global citizens, with a strong grasp of intercultural communication and experience in learning the unfamiliar. These are qualities that match well with any major and can help a person stand out in any career trajectory. The East Asian Studies minor signals that a student has taken a different path, that they are motivated people who have developed expertise in very difficult East Asian languages, and have wide-ranging familiarity with East Asian cultures, history, and politics."
Peter Thilly
Director of East Asian Studies and Assistant Professor of History
Enhance your Academic Experience with an Internship
According to national surveys, employers are more likely to hire college graduates who have:
- had professional internships,
- worked with people from diverse backgrounds on community service,
- collaborated with peers on projects,
- taken multiple courses with significant writing,
- produced a senior project or thesis, and
- studied abroad.
These experiences are about core liberal arts skills of thinking, communicating, interpersonal skills, and understanding the world around us. Showcase and enhance these skills in an internship opportunity for that first step into the professional world.
We encourage students in the East Asian Studies minor to combine coursework with these hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. For example, one student interned with a Tokyo newspaper. Another earned a Certificate of Chinese Studies from Beijing Capital Normal University.
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?