<p>My daughter’s app is still pending but she really likes the AU campus, and the interview was very positive. She’s interested in Asian Studies and TESOL. Anyone have experience with Asian Studies at American University?</p>
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<p>Hi BillHurley,</p>
<p>I have a bit of knowledge on this because I’ve dealt with both Asian Studies and TESOL at American University. Starting in Fall 2013, the Asian Studies program will be officially offered. I don’t know whether or not they put that as a major on the AU application, but it will definitely be a major. Professor Jin Park in the College of Arts and Sciences pushed for this. If you would like to receive a copy of the preliminary curriculum I suggest you email her. Clearly, Asian Studies is a new program at AU but they will have different tracks for students that want to be more policy focused in SIS or more culture focused in CAS, etc. I looked at the different concentrations/tracks and it is definitely an interesting and much needed major at AU. Jin Park’s profile/email for questions: [Profile</a> Jin Park](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/jypark.cfm]Profile”>Faculty Profile: Jin Park | American University, Washington, DC)</p>
<p>I also worked for a TESOL professor last semester named Dr. Younghee Sheen. She is one of the premier TESOL professors who does a lot of work on second language acquisition and English Language Teaching I and II. Even though it is small, it is a great program where practitioners who are already teaching English learn how to maximize their teaching skills for effectiveness. There is also a Certificate program in TESOL for undergraduate students that might be more useful to your daughter since she is more interested in Asian Studies. Younghee Sheen’s profile here for questions: [Profile</a> Younghee Sheen](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/sheen.cfm]Profile”>http://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/sheen.cfm)</p>
<p>And I’m linking you to their profiles because I think all AU professors are really open and transparent here. I have never found a professor who is not willing to assist me or anyone I know. Professor accessibility is one thing I love about AU. Hope your daughter comes here! Hope the info. I gave helped in some way!</p>
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<p>Wait - now that I look at your title… Language & Area Studies in Asia and Asian Studies are different… Please clarify? P.S. Language & Area Studies is now being officially moved out of the School of International Service to the College of Arts and Sciences.</p>
<p>I didn’t think there was a L&AS option for Asian languages anyhow?
Just French, Spanish, German, and Russian, maybe?</p>
<p>First of all, THANK YOU. When we last looked at the curriculum we saw that Asian Studies was a minor, not a major, at that time, and so the best fit seemed to be either “Bus Admin and Language and Culture” or “Language and Area Studies” as a major, either one customized to focus on East Asia, and Asian Studies as a minor. From what I read in your post, it looks like Asian Studies as a major will be easier now. We will certainly follow up on the recomended contacts!</p>
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<p>Deskpotato - There is L&AS for Japanese I believe. Also, a few students have created L&AS for Korean and Chinese as an interdisciplinary major. I’m currently doing L&AS for Korean as a minor! Really cool stuff. </p>
<p>BillHurley - No problem! Actually, I don’t know if they announced the Asian Studies major yet. When I followed up with Ms. Jin Park last semester it was about to be announced but I’m not sure if it’s on AU’s website yet. Yes, if I were you, I would definitely follow up with them. Best of luck to your daughter in choosing a major!</p>
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<p>This is so helpful. I’ll ask my daughter to be in touch with any questions she may have about the Korean minor. Have you been able to create any interning / work study / study abroad opportunities specific to your major and minor?</p>
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<p>bk4972b - Do you know if all Language and Area Studies are being moved to CAS? When we spoke to the dean of SIS during parents weekend, he said that track was being discontinued. He didn’t mention moving it to CAS. Maybe they decided to move it instead of discontinuing it?</p>
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<p>BillHurley - With any major/minor you can build in independent study/internships as long as they are relevant and substantive (AKA you’re not doing a bunch of administrative/clerical work). For example, I have a friend doing Language & Area Studies - Japanese and she added in an internship from Japan and did independent study this semester on a topic of her choice that was approved by AU. All of these opportunities are totally possible for incoming students! I suggest your daughter make an appointment with her adviser within her first semester at college.</p>
<p>SIBrook50 - Dean Goldgeier may have been talking about discontinuing the Language & Area Studies track within SIS. I know many people who are doing L&AS still and I am doing an L&AS minor. I was told the major/minor was being moved to CAS. Anyhow, just to make sure that policy didn’t change for Fall 2013, I would call one of the SIS advisers here: [Undergraduate</a> Advising](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/sis/undergradadvising/]Undergraduate”>Undergraduate Advising | School of International Service | American University, Washington, DC)</p>
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