Asian Studies

Program Chair

Professor Paul D. Barclay 

The Asian Studies Program at Lafayette College engages students in the interdisciplinary study of Asia. Asia, home to over 60% of the world's population, is defined by its common religious heritages and its historical experiences as an object of Western veneration and commercial expansion. As a distinct mode of inquiry, Asian Studies emphasizes:

1. a solid grounding in the region's geography, history, social structures, political systems, fine arts, and religious traditions
2. a critical approach to information about societies often misunderstood in the West
3. a commitment to sustained language training

The Asian Studies program offers both a minor and a major in Asian Studies, with courses in the humanities and the social sciences that provide the fundamental knowledge base, linguistic skills, and analytical tools to prepare students for careers in public service, the private sector, or advanced academic training. The College also sponsors seminars, lectures, and concerts exposing the community to the varied and important traditions of Asia.

Asian Studies Courses