Asian Studies, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Asian Studies

Immerse yourself in courses spanning East and South Asian history, politics, art and literature while exploring the interactions between Asian countries and the rest of the world.
2026
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
group of students

Languages, Literatures and Cultures

The Asian studies minor at UNH offers a comprehensive exploration of Asia's diverse cultures, languages and societies. Here you'll be able to immerse yourself in courses spanning East and South Asian history, politics, art and literature while exploring the interactions between Asian countries and the rest of the world. 

Through a combination of language study, cultural coursework and study abroad experiences, the Asian studies minor helps prepare you for careers such as international business, diplomacy, education and social work.

Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Contact Cards

Professor
Horton Social Science Center, Room 314, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-1858

What is Asian studies?

The Asian studies minor will provide you with an interdisciplinary introduction to the languages, geographies, histories, politics, literatures, cultures and religions of East and South Asia. You’ll also explore contemporary topics and the interaction between Asian countries and the rest of the world. An understanding of Asian history and culture can be useful in various careers such as advertising, business, education, government, health, law and marketing. Combine this minor with a range of studies to prepare for your future career or graduate studies.

Why study Asian studies at UNH?

The interdisciplinary Asian studies minor is designed to foster teaching and learning as well as research in all areas of Asia. You’ll be able to tailor your studies to your interests, from the language of Chinese to subjects ranging from foreign policy and the environment to the Asian-American experience and cross-border movements of industry and ideas. You’ll also be able to earn credits toward the minor through a study abroad experience in China.

Potential career areas

  • Community organizing
  • Diplomacy
  • Education
  • Journalism
  • Media relations
  • Museum curation
  • Politics
  • Public relations
  • Social work

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The aim of the interdisciplinary Asian studies minor program is to foster teaching and learning as well as research in all areas of Asia. The minor offers opportunities to develop proficiency in Asian languages and to study the histories, politics, literatures, cultures and religions of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and others) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and others). Courses offered provide students the chance to explore a wide range of contemporary subjects such as foreign policy, language use, education, environment, the Asian-American experience, ethnic and religious conflict, literary and cultural production, and cross-border movements of industry and ideas.

02
Requirements for the Program
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Students must complete five courses (20 credits) for the minor.

No more than three courses can be counted from any one of the following disciplines/subject prefixes: Anthropology (ANTH), Asian American or South Asian Literature (ENGL), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (CHIN or JPN), Philosophy (PHIL), or Political Science (POLT)

Approved Courses
ANTH 500Peoples and Cultures of the World (Topic D: Asia)4
ANTH 501World Archaeological Cultures (Topic F: Asia)4
CHIN 401Elementary Chinese I4
CHIN 402Elementary Chinese II4
CHIN 425Introduction to Chinese Culture4
CHIN 503Intermediate Chinese I4
CHIN 504Intermediate Chinese II4
CHIN 632Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition II4
CHIN 795Independent Study1-4
ENGL 581Reading the Postcolonial Experience4
GEOG 530China: People, Politics and Economy4
PHIL 520Introduction to Eastern Philosophy4
POLT 546Wealth and Politics in Asia4
POLT 556Politics in China4
POLT 569The Rise of China4
POLT 742Beyond Bollywood: Politics of India & South Asia4
POLT 797ESeminar in International Politics (US/China Decision Making)4
Additional courses may count toward the minor with permission.