Home to major philosophical, religious, artistic, and political traditions that have shaped global history, Asia remains critically important in understanding the contemporary transnational marketplace and international politics. The Asian Studies Program at Holy Cross offers a variety of courses and a multidisciplinary framework for the exploration and interpretation of the diverse societies, cultures, and polities of Asia and the Asian diaspora.
Led by faculty from disciplines across the curriculum with teaching and research expertise in the Asian region, we offer a major and a minor, and sponsor activities and events beyond the classroom — often in collaboration with other academic departments and divisions. You will have the flexibility to explore your interests through courses in disciplines such as anthropology, economics, history, World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, music, philosophy, political science, religious studies and theatre.
Coursework may focus on a specific area — China, India, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia or Nepal, for example — or a variety of themes from traditional and contemporary histories to social and political movements, religious foundations and transformations, economic development, philosophical approaches, artistic productions, and more. In addition to serving as a focus of a broad liberal arts education, Asian Studies majors and minors benefit from their interdisciplinary training to go on to graduate school and careers in international affairs, public policy, law, economics, journalism, and the arts.
Program Highlights
The Asian Studies program offers:
- A dynamic interdisciplinary approach that combines the humanities, social sciences, arts and culture, and language study
- Access to a robust cocurricular program of campus speakers, visiting artists, panel discussions, symposia and exhibitions in the Cantor Art Gallery
- Active engagement with the arts on campus, including opportunities to assist with gallery exhibitions, and participate in music, dance and theatre performances
- Study abroad options in China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan and opportunities to travel to Asia for short courses in May and the summer months
- The opportunity to study four years of Chinese language
Workshops introducing Buddhist meditation and an annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration are among our many cocurricular offerings.
Learn about Balinese gamelan music and dance with our own gamelan ensemble and Indonesian instructors.
Asian Studies News
