Majors


East Asia Concentration (a total of thirty-two to thirty-four credit hours)

1. Language. At least four semesters of Chinese or Japanese at Skidmore or approved programs. Students are encouraged to spend a year in an approved program in China or Japan, and to continue their language studies throughout the major.
   
2. 
   
3. Foundation. One course in each of two of the following categories, focusing on China or Japan. (Note: Not all AS Foundation courses fulfill all-college breadth requirements; please consult individual course descriptions.)
   
   
   1. one historical survey (HI142, 241, 247, 347, 363E, 363F, 375G, 375H);
      
   2. 
      
   3. one social science (AN245, 351C; GO344);
      
   4. 
      
   5. one humanities (AH106, 204, 210, 311, 312; FL241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 257, 258, 259, 267; PH215, PR325, WS 227.)
      
4. 
   
5. Junior Year†
   
   
   1. Study in China or Japan: continuing language instruction and practice; varying culture courses and internships, for at least three 300-level credits on China or Japan. Or
      
   2. 
      
   3. At Skidmore: At least three credits at the 300 level in Asian studies; electives will continue language study and develop comparative and disciplinary focus.
      
6. 
   
7. Senior Year. At least six credits at the 300 level, three of which are to be an independent study during the spring semester, taken in conjunction with AS375, Asian Studies Seminar, where the research paper written in the independent study and a range of issues will be discussed. Some students who have done prior research may submit the independent study research paper as a thesis.
   
8. 
   

South Asia Concentration (a total of thirty-two to thirty-four credit hours)

1. Language. Students are encouraged to participate in Skidmore's Semester in India Program or another approved program in South Asia, and to continue their language study throughout the major. Students choose one of the following two options:
   
   
   1. eight credit hours of Hindi in Skidmore's Semester-in-India Program or another approved India program, plus two courses of self-instructional Hindi at Skidmore.
      
   2. 
      
   3. eight credit hours of Hindi in Skidmore's Semester-in-India Program or another approved India program, plus two culture courses on India (in addition to courses that fulfill other requirements for the major) at Skidmore from the list of approved courses for the major.
      
2. 
   
3. Foundation. Two courses, each from a different discipline, selected from the following courses: AH105, 200, 211, 314; GO240, 319, 344; HI316, MU309, PR214, RE213, 220.
4. 
   
   
5. Junior Year†
   
   
   1. Study in India in Skidmore's Semester-in-India Program or another approved program; language study and practice; varying culture courses, for at least three 300-level credits on South Asia. Or
      
   2. 
      
   3. At Skidmore: At least three credits at the 300 level in Asian studies; electives will continue language study and develop comparative and disciplinary focus.
      
6. 
   
7. Senior Year. At least six credits at the 300 level, three of which are to be an independent study during the spring semester, taken in conjunction with AS375, where the research paper written in the independent study and a range of issues will be discussed. Some students who have done prior research may submit the independent study research paper as a thesis.
   

†Recommended for both concentrations: Completion of all-college requirements and disciplinary prerequisites for advanced courses by the end of the sophomore year.


HONORS: For honors in Asian studies, a student must earn a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA in all courses taken at Skidmore, a 3.5 or better in all courses taken for the Asian studies major, and a grade of A or A- on an approved senior thesis. With the approval of the Asian studies director and faculty, a student may write a thesis in the senior year to be directed by a member of the Asian studies faculty, with one additional reader.