Why choose a major in Asian Studies?

Here are some compelling reasons for pursuing a course of study about one of the most important areas in the world today:

• Asia is a dominant force, comprising 57% of the world's population. In San Francisco as well, 32% of the city's population is Asian, providing numerous resources for the study of Asian culture and society.
• More than half of US global trade is with the countries of Asia (as well as over 70% of the US trade deficit!).
• Asian nations will be in the vanguard of economic, political, and especially technological changes in the coming decades. All these areas have profound implications for U.S. trade and foreign policies.
• Asia is the source for some of the world's most significant and long-lasting philosophical, religious, and spiritual ideas
• 'Asia literacy' will provide students familiarity and expertise in dealing with Asian societies, languages, political systems, economies, and cultures.
• Asia is also the source for some of the most interesting cuisine, film, anime, music, and art in our time. Numerous leading publications have termed the period we're living in as the "Asian Century!"

This major integrates many different academic disciplines and perspectives into a holistic sense of Asian culture and society. It will change the way you see the world as well as how you imagine your role in it. How many majors can promise that?

We also think this major will be fun to pursue! You can eat Asian cuisine, see Asian films, attend events / museums / lectures on Asia, dance to Asian pop music, and even travel and live there — all in the interest of your major!

Possible Careers

A major in Asian Studies helps to open career doors in a wide variety of fields.   With a strong emphasis on academic fundamentals (critical thinking, spoken and written communication skills, a mastery of research methods) coupled with expertise about specific regions, topics, and disciplinary methodologies, our majors will be competitive in the following areas:

• Business (banking, investment, real-estate, trading, tech-related)
• Non-profit (NPO) and Non-Governmental (NGO) organizations (Asia Foundation, World Affairs Council, Japan Society)
• Journalism (in conjunction with a major in Media Studies)
• Education (in conjunction with a teaching credential, as preparatory training for a Master's or Ph.D., or as staff for University institutes or centers for the study of Asia)
• Government (city, county, state, trade, public / international relations)
• A major in Asian Studies will also prepare students for advanced graduate work in a variety of academic disciplines (History, International Business, Politics, Law, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Media Studies, Linguistics, Environmental Studies, and so on).  

Students can dramatically broaden their academic and career opportunities by . . .

• majoring in Asian Studies, or combining a major with one in the Humanities, Business, or Science  
• pursuing Internships with leading companies and organizations in the Bay Area as well as mentor relationships with professionals in Asia/Pacific relations
• conducting research through the internationally known USF Ricci Institute and the The Nautilus Institute for Security & Sustainable Development
• participating in extra-curricular activities (such as student organizations, symposiums, lectures by well-known speakers, and cultural events on campus)
• joining faculty-led intensive study tours to Asian nations (beginning with a 17-day trip to Japan in June, 2006).
• combining the major with a master's degree in only five years through the BA/BS-MAPS ("4+1") Program in Asia Pacific Studies

Whatever your dreams might be, talking to an advisor is the first step in realizing them effectively.