| Convener: Ronald Hayashida |
About the Minor
In recent years, the center of the global economy has shifted to the
Pacific Basin. The United States is on one side of this vast area,
and the Asia Pacific region is on the other. East Asia, with the world's
greatest concentration of population and its most volatile economies,
comprise the epicenter of Asia Pacific. It has, therefore become imperative
for Americans to understand an area that includes China, Japan, the
two Koreas, Hong Kong, Taiwan Mongolia, Southeast Asia and Far Eastern
Russia.
America's role in the world, its economic competitiveness, and its
ability to meet the challenges of the new millennium – all rely
on a clear perception of the history, politics, economics, sociology,
culture and languages of East Asia. Learning about East Asia is in
fact learning about those forces that affect our country, our jobs,
our businesses, our households and indeed ourselves.
The East Asian Studies minor, totaling 20 credits, is offered by a
faculty with various disciplines in anthropology/sociology, political
science, business/ economics, psychology, and languages. Its two interdisciplinary
foundation courses of three credits each are: East Asia: History and
Politics of China, Japan, and Korea, and peoples and cultures of Asia. These basic courses
provide the student with a broad historical, political and cultural
background to the region as a whole. One 200-level course and two
additional 300-level courses also are required from an approved list
of course offerings. An East Asian language course of the appropriate
level may be substituted for these requirements. Many other upper
division courses on the politics and history of specific East Asian
countries, courses in law, religion, immigration, business, sociology,
and others, are offered each year.
The growing demand for knowledge of East Asia as well as for skills
in its languages has paralleled the region's growth of importance
in the global economy. Careers in international business, international
studies, government, communications, journalism, education, East Asian
affiliate companies all have put a premium on knowledge about East
Asia. Credentials with a specialization in the area have opened up
numerous options for career applicants.
Ramapo College has established study abroad programs with educational
institutions in East Asia. Our students have studied in Wuhan, China,
and almost every year, Ramapo's summer program in China draws many
students who wish to study in Shanghai or in Hong Kong. We regularly
have visiting professors from China who teach the language and culture
of their country. Visiting scholars from Japan have also enriched
our courses. More individualized programs of study in conjunction
with other programs in East Asia, such as the New Jersey State Consortium for International Studies, have been arranged for Ramapo
students.
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