Faculty

Director

Meredith Oyen

Professor

Charissa Cheah
B.A., University of Waterloo (Canada), 1995; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 2000

Brian K. Grodsky
B.A., University of Colorado, 1996; M.A., University of Michigan, 2002; Ph.D., 2006

Devin T. Hagerty
B.A., Rutgers University, 1984; M.A.L.D., Tufts University, 1987; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1995

David Mitch
B.A., The University of Chicago, 1973; M.A., 1974; Ph.D., 1982

Manil Suri
B.S., University of Bombay (India), 1979; M.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1980; Ph.D., 1983

Constantine Vaporis
B.A., The Ohio State University, 1979; M.A., Princeton University, 1984; Ph.D., 1987

Associate Professor

Tamara Bhalla
B.A., Boston University, 2000; M.A., University of Michigan, 2003; Ph.D., 2008

Irene Chan
B.Arch., California Polytechnic State University, 1989; M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute, 1997

Bambi L. Chapin
B.A., University of Virginia, 1988; M.A., University of California, San Diego, 1998; Ph.D., 2003

Preminda Jacob
B.A., Stella Maris College (India), 1979; M.A., Majaraja Sayaji Rao University (India), 1981; M.A., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1988; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1994

Meredith Oyen
B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1998; M.A., Georgetown University, 2004; Ph.D., 2007

Fan Yang
B.A., Fudan University (China), 2000; M.A., The Ohio State University, 2003; Ph.D., George Mason University, 2011

Chunming Yuan
B.A., Central University of Finance and Economics (China), 1998; M.A., 2001; M.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2005; C. Phil., 2005; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 2008

Assistant Professor

Christopher K. Tong
B.S., Stanford University, 2001; M.F.A., San Francisco State University, 2006; Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2014

Sharon Tran
B.A., Queens College, 2010; M.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2013; Ph.D., 2017

Kyung-Eun Yoon
B.A., Seoul National University, 1992; M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999; Ph.D., 2006

Noor Zaidi
B.A., Columbia University, 2007; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2015

Lecturer

William Brown
B.A., The City College of New York, 1971; M.A., University of Oregon, 1973; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1981

Tomoko Hoogenboom
B.A., Tsurumi University (Japan), 1986; M.A., University of Minnesota, 1995; Ph.D., 2007

Julie Christ Oakes
B.A., Boston University, 1985; M.A., 1986; M.A., Stanford University, 1997; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2009

The Asian Studies program (Asian Studies, B.A. , Asian Studies Minor , Asian Studies Certificate ) enables students to explore the history, culture, languages and literatures, societies, politics, economics, philosophy, art and music of Asia. The combination of foreign language and area studies across a number of disciplines (American Studies , Dance , Economics , English , History , Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication , Music , Philosophy , and Political Science ) introduces undergraduates to the knowledge, language skills, and research methods specific to those disciplines and help to prepare them for various professional paths related to Asia. Asian Studies is an increasingly relevant academic program for the 21st century, particularly given Asia’s considerable economic, political, military, and cultural impact across the globe.

The UMBC Asian Studies Program draws upon a faculty of approximately twenty specialists, from a dozen different departments. These include internationally recognized scholars who take teaching as seriously as they do research as well as skilled language instructors. The program’s faculty also help students learn how to apply the knowledge and analytical skills gained through the study of Asia to satisfying careers and life-long learning.

Career and Academic Paths

The Asian Studies major program equips students with the knowledge and skills to help prepare them for various professional paths related to Asia, such as advanced academic research, education, international relations, international business and trade, governmental service, and international law. The minor and upper-level certificate programs enable them to gain a solid understanding of Asia that provide an important international perspective on whatever field they may choose to pursue.

Academic Advising

Students are assigned a principal advisor when declaring Asian Studies as a major, a minor, or when selecting the certificate program to discuss their options in the program. Advisees are urged to utilize information on the Asian Studies website, to consult with the program director and program faculty, and take part in program activities, including its annual lecture series and the Asian Studies Council of Majors.

Study Abroad

The Asian Studies program encourages students to study abroad in Asia, but it does not require it. Asian Studies works closely with the Study Abroad office to help students select the program most suited to them, one that will offer them the type of overseas experience they are seeking as well as advance their progress through the Asian Studies major, minor or certificate program.

Special Opportunities: Internships

Students can enhance their classroom experience by participating in internships in the US Department of State, Smithsonian Institution, Walters Art Museum, and other national and local government departments, NGO’s and non-profit organizations. In addition, internships abroad have, in recent years, become a significant way of combining study abroad with work experience. Further information about internship opportunities is available from the Asian Studies program director or the Internship and Jobs section of the Asian Studies website.

Student Organizations

All students are encouraged to participate in the student-run Asian Studies Council of Majors (ASCOM). The council meets weekly for lectures and informal discussions on historical topics and careers in addition to hosting a language hour for share practice and study in Asian languages. The council also sponsors guest speakers and field trips to museums and historic sites.

Students are also encouraged to participate in any of the activities of a wide variety of student organizations related to Asia, cultural/ethnic organizations (e.g., Asian Students Connection, Japanese Culture Club) and those involving hobbies, sport, or general interest (e.g., Anime Society, Jujitsu Club, etc.). A list of student organizations is available on the Campus Life website.

Programs

• Asian Studies, B.A.

• Asian Studies Minor

• Asian Studies Certificate

Courses

• ASIA 100 - Introduction to Asian Studies (3)
• ASIA 207 - Asian Diasporas (3)
• ASIA 214 - Focused Cultural Study: South Asia (3)
• ASIA 300 - Topics in Asian Studies (3)
• ASIA 318 - Visual Culture of City and Cinema in South Asia (3)
• ASIA 329 - Early and Medieval Chinese Literature (3)
• ASIA 330 - The Dao of Intermedia (3)
• ASIA 333 - International Relations in East Asia (3)
• ASIA 353 - Contemporary Society in Two Koreas (3)
• ASIA 392 - Art and Power in Japan: 1600 to the Present (3)
• ASIA 399 - Internship in Asian Studies (1-3)
• ASIA 400 - Special Projects in Asian Studies (1-3)