Asian Studies

The Asian Studies major and electives

As the pace of development in Asia quickens, knowledge of the dramatic changes that are taking place there has become an essential asset in a broad spectrum of occupations. The study of Asia, its peoples, cultures, and politics is also of great relevance to academic research and a topic of general interest and fascination. Asian Studies at Monash University (which now incorporates Chinese Studies, Indonesian Studies and Japanese Studies) allows students a flexible study plan with units specific to either countries of interest or study on a regional basis. There are also units which take a broad Asian perspective bringing together a range of ideas both modern and ancient from across Asia.

Asian Studies and Asian Languages

An interest in Asian Studies can also be complimented with the study of an Asian language. This is possible as either electives within the Asian Studies major or as a double major, that is a major in Asian Studies and a major in an Asian language. Alternatively for those already studying an Asian language, one or two units at second or third year level can be taken as electives towards your language major.

Planning your undergraudate studies in Asian Studies

For a major in Asian Studies, you take two six-point units in first year, twelve or eighteen points at second-year level, and eighteen or twenty-four points at third-year level, making a total of forty-eight points.

The minor can consist of a sequence of two units at first and two at second year level, or a sequence of two units at second and a further two at third year level.

Up to three units (18 points) in an Asian language (Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Korean) may be counted towards the major or the minor, from beginners to advanced.