Asian Studies Program

Why pursue Asian Studies?

Pursuing Asian Studies will allow you to explore the people and culture of Asia while giving you the opportunity to learn foreign languages. All the while, you’ll develop skills in comparative reasoning, critical thinking, communications, and cultural sensitivity.

The Saint Mary’s approach

By undertaking a multidisciplinary study of Asia, you will cultivate an understanding of Asian societies. We have a particular focus on China and Japan, but also offer courses related to Vietnam, Korea and India.

The Asian Studies program at Saint Mary's is the largest program of its kind east of Montreal. With a focus on Asia-related studies, we offer courses in anthropology, geography, history, language, and religion. Through the University's many international agreements, students can study overseas in China, Japan, and Korea.

Sample courses offered:

• Introductory and Intermediate Chinese and Japanese Language: Learn to speak, write and converse in modern Chinese (Mandarin) and/or Japanese in these language courses.
• Introduction to Japanese Culture: Survey aspects of Japanese culture in their historical and social contexts. Topics will be selected by the instructor and may include folklore, literature, language, and material culture. No previous study of Japan or the Japanese language is required.
• Introduction to Asian Film: Study films in chronological order to map a history of Asian cinema, covering a section of films dating from the 1950s to the present. Students access related websites, watch selected films weekly, and read assigned texts that analyze topics including history, religion, gender, narrative, visual content, and music as they relate to the various Asian cinemas.
• Indigenous Voices in Modern Asia: Explore contemporary political, social, economic, and cultural issues apparent among the indigenous minority communities in China and Southeast Asia, through an examination of literary, cinematic, theatrical, artistic, and musical forms of expression.
• Ghosts: Discover how ghost stories and supernatural beliefs across Asia reveal cultural traditions, religious ideas and the ways people understand life, death and the unseen world.
• Interdisciplinary Study of Asia: Examine Asia through the lenses of history, culture, politics, religion and the arts while gaining a deeper understanding of the region's diverse societies and global influence.
• History of Korea: Explore the political, economic, intellectual and social issues that have shaped Korea's history through a chronological and thematic approach.

See more courses in our Academic Calendar. 

Future career opportunities:

• Cultural liaison
• Journalist
• Political analyst
• Civil servant
• Teacher
• Intelligence officer
• Foreign policy analyst
• Tourism Development Officer
• Global Marketing Specialist
• Travel Consultant
• Cultural Affairs Officer
• Immigration Officer