The Asian Studies concentration is open to all undergraduates at Villanova University. Students will be required to take a minimum of 24 credit hours in the following areas:The program is also described in our brochure (in PDF format). If you do not have Acrobat, you can get it for free here:
- Minimum of two semesters of an Asian language at the intermediate level;
- The core course, providing an overview of the region;
- Five electives from the designated course list; study abroad options;
- Capstone: Senior research project in an area of Asia/Pacific studies.
Core Courses
PSC 4500: Japan and China (Contemporary East Asia) -OR- HIS 4320: China and Japan Since 1858
Language
Proficiency in Japanese or Chinese is required, assessed in terms of completion of at least two semesters at the intermediate level of language study, or by demonstrated proficiency at that level. Beyond the required level, students may take advanced language courses. In some instances, courses taken outside of Villanova in another Asian language, such as Korean, may be counted at the discretion of the director.
Capstone Seminar and Research
The Capstone Seminar is a 3-credit, inter-disciplinary seminar to be taken in the senior year (offered in political science). It offers an opportunity to synthesize knowledge obtained in the electives and to engage the student in a research project on an East Asian country of interest to the student. In some cases, students may complete a senior project in their own major field with the approval and oversight of the director.
