Asian Studies

Major

How We Work

1. We embrace the intersectionality of our work. Asian studies is a field that crosses paths with international relations, political science, language programs, and more. Students benefit from the freedom to investigate Asian Studies through a multitude of disciplines, which means that every Asian Studies course brings together a diversity of perspectives. 
2. We have a variety of study abroad programs. Studying abroad is exactly the kind of hands-on experiential learning that Knox values, but there's more than one way to study abroad. At Knox, we want more than the cookie cutter approach: our students blaze their own trails based off their unique interests and personalities. That's why Knox has 28 pre-approved study abroad programs throughout Asia (and why we're always adding more!). 
3. Language deepens our understanding of culture. Over the course of the major, students in Asian Studies will take either Chinese and Japanese courses at Knox, participate in a language and culture study abroad, or both. Study abroad programs extend the languages that our students can experience—they can start from scratch in Chinese and Japanese, but also in Arabic, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Nepali, Bahasa Indonesia, and various languages in the Indian Subcontinent. 
4. Our grads find success. Our students take what they learn in Asian Studies and apply it globally. Our department has produced two recent Fulbright scholars. Jessa Dahl ‘10 traveled to Japan to study the lives of women who resided there during the 1850's and 1860's. Emily Malec ‘16 traveled to South Korea to teach English during the 2017-2018 school year. Recently, Keara Crook ‘19 was awarded the Gilman Scholarship to study elephant conservation in Thailand.