Overview

The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers majors in Asian Studies and Chinese, minors in Arabic, Asian Studies, Chinese, and Japanese, as well as certificates in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. The department also offers instruction in Hebrew, Hindi and Korean. These programs are designed to provide the language skills and cultural knowledge needed for a number of professions and careers.

Every semester the department offers several courses on topics such as literature, film and culture that are taught in English and utilize translated materials. These courses provide rigorous academic training for those interested in pursuing graduate studies and professional degrees. The popular minor and certificate programs complement most majors at the university.

The Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies prepares students for careers that require linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge. Students are required to take at least four semesters of Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Language courses are incorporated into a program of study comprising required and elective Asia-focused content courses in several disciplines, such as literature, religion, history, political science, sociology and anthropology. Careers that require or benefit from Asia-related expertise include government, education and business. The Asian Studies degree also prepares students for graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences as well as for professional schools in areas such as law and business.

Asian Studies majors are strongly encouraged to spend a semester or academic year studying abroad in a university program that combines language classes with courses focusing on culture and history—and to participate in the daily life of the host country.

Students may not combine the Asian Studies major with any of the following curricula: minor in Chinese, minor in Japanese, and may not double-major with Global Studies Global Cultures track. Students may double-major in Asian Studies and either the Economic Development or the Security tracks in the Global Studies major.

Campus Locations: Main, Japan

Program Code: LA-ASST-BA

Distinction in Major

Asian Studies majors may graduate with distinction in the major if they have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. 

Study Abroad at Temple University Japan

Temple University's campus in Tokyo, Japan (TUJ) can provide students with experience abroad while taking their coursework. If you have an interest in studying at TUJ consult the Office of Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses and the TUJ web site.

Student Organization

The East West Club offers lectures, films, and career development programs, as well as fun and fellowship through extracurricular activities.

Contact Information

Main Campus

Department Office
332 Mazur Hall
215-204-8268
asianstudies@temple.edu

Barbara Thornbury, Chair
336 Mazur Hall
215-204-4492
bthor@temple.edu

Michelle Xu, Administrator
429 Mazur Hall
215-204-5628
xu.michelle@temple.edu

Stephen Walton, Academic Coordinator
330 Mazur Hall
215-204-8267
stephen.walton0002@temple.edu

Temple Japan Campus

Kazuyo Kubo, PhD, Chair for the Division of Liberal Arts
kazuyo.kubo@tuj.temple.edu

Michael Cucek, BA, Faculty Advisor for the Asian Studies Major
michael.cucek@tuj.temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses that will fulfill this requirement are ASST 2196 and ASST 4096.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • The language requirement of the Asian Studies major exceeds the minimum requirements of the College of Liberal Arts; no additional coursework is required.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (minimum 30 credits plus 12-14 credits of language study)

¹

Asian Language Requirement: The language requirement may be satisfied by coursework (not proficiency) in an Asian language. Heritage speakers will satisfy the four-course requirement by taking advanced courses in their language or by taking a different Asian language.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year