Asian Studies
(*** As of February 2016, the admission of new students into the Asian Studies program has been suspended until further notice. Current students will be able to continue their progression in this program.***)
Introduction
Asia is one of the world’s most interesting and diverse regions. The continent is home to approximately sixty percent of the world’s population. It houses some of the world’s major religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Asian countries are major players in world politics. Three of its countries are nuclear states, namely China, India, and Pakistan. One of the world’s most authoritarian states, North Korea, and the world’s largest democracy, India, are both Asian countries. And despite its flourishing democracies and booming economies, Asia is home to a number of ongoing conflicts – for example, in Afghanistan; North-West Frontier and Balochistan in Pakistan; Kurdish-Turkey conflict in Kurdistan; Myanmar; Thailand; Philippines; and Kashmir, separatist movements in Northeast India, and Naxalite-Maoist insurgencies in India.
Asia captured the world’s attention with the miraculous growth of its economic “tigers” – Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The region is a major player in the development scene. It is home to massive antipoverty initiatives. For example, BRAC, the world’s largest development organization, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the worlds’ premier research organization dedicated to reducing hunger through rice science, are located in Bangladesh and the Philippines respectively. It is therefore not surprising that the region continues to draw new college graduates into both the private as well as non-profit sectors.
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Optional Minors
Students can choose to major or minor in Asian Studies
Career Ideas
International Organization, Foreign Correspondent, Non-Profit, International Business, Market Research, Journalist, Anthropologist, Anti-terrorism Intelligence, Agent, Archaeologist, Professor, Foreign Language Translator, Foreign Services Officer, Historical Archivist, Museum Curator, Peace Corps Worker, Travel Agent, Travel Writer
Program Administrator
Nayma Qayum, Department Chair, (914) 323-1273, nayma.qayum@mville.edu
Overview
Because Manhattanville believes a liberal arts education today should afford students the opportunity to explore and understand the non-western world, it has developed a program emphasizing the politics, economies, and cultures of Asia. The Asian Studies Department introduces students to the historical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of Asia. It provides students with the opportunity to complete an interdisciplinary major or minor, drawing on the expertise of faculty members across various departments. Students may choose from courses that include languages, Asia-specific content courses across the disciplines, and thematic courses that introduce students to non-Western discourses that are crucial to understanding the region. The department draws on courses across the disciplines offered by faculty members in other departments, such as art history, political science, religion, and sociology. Many of our majors and minors have studied abroad in Japan or China and welcome opportunities to return to these countries after graduating from college.
The college has several direct exchange programs for students wishing to study in Asia; please speak with the department chair and the study abroad office to learn more about these opportunities.
Faculty and Staff
Full-Time Faculty
Nayma Qayum
Adjunct Faculty
Ann Imai Tarumoto, Japanese language
Faculty and Professional Interests
Nayma Qayum (Chair) – South Asia, Collective Action, Conflict, Institutions
Adjunct Faculty
Ann Imai Tarumoto – Japanese language