Asian Studies

Asian Studies: Major, Minor

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
students in cantor art gallery
Cocurricular Programming

Workshops introducing Buddhist meditation and an annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration are among our many cocurricular offerings.

Balinese
Balinese Arts Program

Learn about Balinese gamelan music and dance with our own gamelan ensemble and Indonesian instructors.

group photos of students studying abroad
Study Abroad

Study abroad in China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam or Japan.

Asian Studies News

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Spring Semester Brings Another Full Slate of Arts Events
This semester, the College of the Holy Cross is offering a dynamic series of arts events aimed to excite, engage and challenge audiences. From the staging of renowned theatre productions and installations of multimedia gallery exhibitions, to world premieres of …
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Blog: Castillo ’19 Embraces New Academic Opportunities at Holy Cross
NAME Emily Castillo ’19 HOMETOWN Lawrence, Mass. STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING English major with a concentration in Asian Studies WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “When I visited Holy Cross for Visions weekend I immediately felt a sense of closeness and community …
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Holy Cross Honors Five Alumni for Professional Achievement and Commitment to Service, Faith and Justice
The College of the Holy Cross has honored five alumni with the Sanctae Crucis Awards. The highest non-degree recognition bestowed by the College on a graduate, the annual awards are presented to alumni who are leaders in business, professional or …