2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Asian Studies
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Faculty
Director
Fan Yang
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
Constantine Vaporis
B.A., The Ohio State University, 1979; M.A., Princeton University, 1984; Ph.D., 1987
Takashi Yamashita
B.A., Tokyo Gakugei University (Japan), 2003; M.A., Ball State University, 2007; Ph.D., Miami University, 2011
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
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
Jungwon Yeo
B.A., Handong Global University (Korea), 2007; M.P.A., SungKyunKwan University (Korea), 2009; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2015
Assistant Professor
Randolph Ford
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2001; M.A., 2010; Ph.D., New York University, 2016
Joonho Lee
B.A., Yonsei University (Korea), 2016; M.A., 2018; Ph.D., University of Utah, 2024
Karin Oen-Lee
B.A., Stanford University, 2000; M.A., Christie’s Education NY, 2001; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012
Chulwoo “Charles” Park
B.S., University of Utah, 2013; M.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2015; Ph.D., The George Washington University, 2020
Julie Sayo
B.A., Loyola University Maryland, 2011; M.A., Maryland Institute College of Art, 2012; M.F.A., 2013
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
Guan Wang
B.A., Peking University (China), 2015; M.A., George Washington University, 2017; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2024
Ming Xie
B.A., Shanxi University (China), 2002; M.A., Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), 2005; Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 2010, 2020
Shuling Yang
B.A., Tianjin Normal University (China), 1998; M.A., 2002; Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 2019
Emily K. Yoon
B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2007; M.A., University of Texas, 2009; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2018
Kyung-Eun Yoon
B.A., Seoul National University (Korea), 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
Jinghong Zhang
B.A., Beijing Language and Culture University (China), 2016; M.A., University of Manchester, 2017; Ph.D., University of California, 2023
Teaching Professor
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
Associate Teaching Professor
Joseph Siu
B.Mus., University of Western Ontario (Canada), 2009; M.A., University of Rochester, 2015; Ph.D., 2020
Assistant Teaching Professor
Annie Nguyen
Trang X. Ta
M.A., University of Washington; Ph.D., 2011
Emeritus Faculty
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
Manil Suri
B.S., University of Bombay (India), 1979; M.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1980; Ph.D., 1983
Ka-che Yip
B.A., University of Hong Kong (China); M.A., Columbia University; Ph.D.
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 Education 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.
ProgramsMajorMinorCertificateCoursesAsian Studies
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