Best School for East and/or Near Asian studies?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm thinking about majoring (or double majoring) in East Asian Studies or Near Asian Studies. What are the best schools for it? From what I researched, only some of the top universities and colleges offer both, and I'm not sure which is better than the other.</p>

2

<p>From what I've heard Wesleyan is top of the line for these programs. The UCs probably have solid programs in these areas as well, but thats more of a guess, where as Wesleyan is a definite.</p>

3

<p>Berkeley has a top program. In fact, Berkeley just opened a dedicated East Asian library on campus today:
03.14.2008</a> - C.V. Starr East Asian Library to open March 17

[quote]
The University of California, Berkeley's new C.V. Starr East Asian Library - the first freestanding structure at a United States university erected solely for East Asian collections

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[quote]
"We're looking forward to assisting an ever-increasing number of students and scholars exploring the rich histories and cultures of East Asia," said Zhou. He noted that approximately 700 visiting faculty members and other scholars studying Asia are hosted by UC Berkeley throughout the year and that UC Berkeley's programs in East Asian studies have been ranked first in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education.

[/quote]
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4

<p>If you're looking into premier schools, Columbia's ethnic/cultural/regional studies programs are excellent as well. Otherwise, UCB all the way.</p>

5

<p>Not to say that UCB isn't an elite school; I'm sure you catch my drift.</p>

6

<p>What about Near Asian, a.k.a Middle Eastern Studies? Does UCB also have a top program in that too? If not, what other schools?</p>

7

<p>Look at University of Chicago, for sure.</p>

8

<p>stanford...</p>

9

<p>Look at Occidental. I'm not sure if they have the exact program, but I know they have a strong international focus (specifically in Asia).</p>

10

<p>Check out Univ. Michigan.</p>

11

<p>Hmm... there seems to be a lack of consensus here. Is there any source I could check that has a ranking of undergrad programs in this area?</p>

12

<p>We're not claiming absolute facts, we're just giving suggestions.</p>

13

<p>U of Chicago most def.</p>

<p>East</a> Asian Languages & Civilizations ( EALC ) | The University of Chicago</p>

14

<p>Wisconsin has a deep selection of Asian studies majors breaking it into three subareas under the Int Studies Center</p>

<p>International</a> Institute</p>

<p>Home</a> Page of the Center for East Asian Studies</p>

<p>Welcome</a> to the Center for South Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>

<p>UW-Madison's</a> Center for Southeast Asian Studies</p>

<p>It also has strong depth in languages</p>

<p>[Languages[/url</a>]</p>

<p>And Asian related library resources</p>

<p><a href="http://www.library.wisc.edu/guides/SoAsia/annual%20reports/collection%20overview%202007.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.library.wisc.edu/guides/SoAsia/annual%20reports/collection%20overview%202007.pdf](&lt;a href="http://www.international.wisc.edu/languages/default.asp%5DLanguages%5B/url"&gt;http://www.international.wisc.edu/languages/default.asp)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

15

<p>Penn has one of the oldest, best, and most highly regarded East Asian Studies departments in the country:</p>

<p>
[quote]
The University of Pennsylvania was one of the first universities in the United States to offer the study of East Asia. The formation of the world-famous collection of Chinese and Japanese art at the University Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology in the late 19th century was followed in the 1920s by courses in language and civilization. After World War II, Penn spearheaded the study of modern East Asia, adding strength in social science, business, and professional curricula.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Center</a> for East Asian Studies</p>

<p>In addition, Penn also has these somewhat related departments:</p>

<p>East</a> Asian Languages and Civilizations</p>

<p>The</a> Middle East Center (MEC) :: Major and Minor in Modern Middle East Studies</p>

<p>Near</a> Eastern Languages and Civilizations</p>

<p>South</a> Asia Studies</p>

<p>Penn has a long and eminent tradition of breadth and depth in these types of interdisciplinary area studies.</p>

16

<p>As soon as I saw this I thought Stanford, which is a powerhouse for Asian studies. (I participated in the Reischauer Scholars Program from there).</p>

<p>University of Pittsburgh also has an amazing program, though it might not be well-known. They have an entire East Asian languages library, if that's any indicator.</p>

17

<p>I am going to Major in Middle East studies at UCSB (incoming freshman). They have one of the top Middle East Studies programs there. If thats not for you, then Columbia University has I think the top MES program in the country. You just have to get in...</p>

18

<p>My D is interested in East Asia Studies with a focus on the role of arts in influencing past, present and future socio-economic aspects in that region. She’s a keen/critical sense of arts but doesn’t think that she has the talents to practice arts and is totally interested in the culture of East Asia. Plans to take AP Chinese exam in junior year and then learn Japanese. Any insights on how to go about her college years to fulfill this interest?</p>

19

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<p>There is a lack of consensus for several reasons. First, you are not asking about a single, clearly defined field. Second, in picking a college, the question of which is best can’t be reduced entirely to which is best in a single academic area or two. Are you looking for example for the best small liberal arts colleges for Asian Studies? Or do you want a large research university?</p>

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<p>As far as I know, there is no reliable, up-to-date ranking of undergraduate academic departments at all. The Gourman Report may be the closest thing (and I believe it does cover Asian Studies) but it is over a decade old and controversial. There are several rankings of graduate departments (including US News) but they do not exactly cover your areas, certainly not as a unified field.</p>

<p>Several posters have mentioned the University of Chicago. Depending on what you really want, this could indeed be your one best choice (although as a college environment it’s not everybody’s cup of tea). Go to the Chicago web site and look up the information (course descriptions, etc.) on Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and on East Asian Languages and Civilizations. If the areas described are what you have in mind, then there probably is no better choice, academically, for an undergraduate wavering between the two. But eventually you’d have to choose because it would not be practical to do a double major in these two areas at this school.</p>

<p>The University of Pennsylvania, Wesleyan, and Brown are other good possibilities (or better ones, depending on what you really have in mind and on personal fit). These are all very selective schools. Especially if you are a California resident and cost is a concern, then Berkeley belongs on your candidate list too.</p>

20

<p>Johns Hopkins is good. They have a grad campus in China and a 5 year BS/MS with their highly ranked School of International Studies.</p>