Asian Studies

Asian studies at Augustana is a smart choice: The college has had a strong program since the mid-70s, when Augustana students and professors first started traveling together to East Asia.

Today, you can choose a major or minor in Asian studies. See also minors in Chinese and Japanese.

Like many Augustana students, you might combine Asian studies with a second major or minor such as business, economics, biology, geography, history, political science, religion, sociology, anthropology, art, art history, graphic design, computer science or another field.

Even with two or more majors you can graduate in four years with a broad understanding of traditional and modern Asia, multiple years of language study, experience in an Asian country, and valuable background for professional fields related to international trade and the world economy, environmental health, politics, education, the arts and more.

Distinctions

• Augustana is one of only a few liberal arts colleges nationwide to offer four full years of instruction in Chinese and Japanese.

• The Asian studies faculty includes professors from China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the United States in the fields of art, art history, literature, business administration, economics, history, political science and religion.

• Augustana’s study-abroad opportunities are many and varied, and students often use their $2,000 through Augie Choice to pay for travel expenses. Excellent options for students of Asian studies include:
–  the faculty-led J-term in Japan and China
–  one-semester exchange programs with partner schools in Japan, Rikkyo University or Toyo University in Tokyo, or Kobe City University of Foreign Studies in Kobe.
–  a semester of language immersion or business and social sciences at Peking University in Beijing
–  a semester or annual exchange with Lingnan University in Hong Kong

• The Norm Moline East Asian Overseas Study Scholarship is available for students applying for the China J-term or the Japan J-term.

Recent graduates

Rosalie Looijaard '22 is pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy at Boston University.

Katrina Rodriguez ‘21 is a material replenishment specialist at John Deere in Davenport, Iowa.

Courtney Veitch '21 is the international sales and marketing manager at Newmedical Technology, Inc., Chicago.

Valerie Spreeman '19 is an assistant language teacher at Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) in Appleton, Wis.

Elise Cather ‘17 is a regional sales manager at Audley Travel in Boston, Mass.

Gage Meyers '17 graduated from Drake University Law School and is a trademark attorney.