Phone: (845) 257-3488
Location: OM 308B
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/asianstudies

Asian Studies at SUNY New Paltz is an interdisciplinary program drawing on the expertise of faculty from over 10 academic departments, with the broad mission of promoting greater awareness and understanding of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia through teaching, research, campus programs and events, and overseas programs.

The Asian Studies program offers a major and a minor in Asian Studies, which provide undergraduates with an integrated approach to the study of language and culture. In addition, a minor in Asian American Studies provides students with the opportunity to study Asian American history and culture from the perspective of different disciplines, including history, literature, sociology, cultural geography, and media studies.

The Asian Studies curriculum also provides a regional focus that complements majors and minors in a variety of fields, including anthropology, art history, world languages, geography, history, international relations, music, literature, philosophy, religions, and political science. A structured study of Asia effectively enhances the qualifications of students preparing for professions in education and international business.

Why Study Asia?

Graduates with an informed global perspective and expertise in East Asia are sought by employers in a wide range of professions, including academia, business, government and think tanks, international companies and organizations, libraries and museums, media, non-profit organizations, and language teaching abroad. The federal government projects a high demand for graduates trained in "Critical Need Languages" such as Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.

Students interested in a major or minor in Asian Studies or a minor in Asian American Studies should consult with a full-time member of the Asian Studies program faculty or with the program director, Associate Professor Nathen Clerici (clericin@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3488).

Asian Studies (BA) Program Learning Outcomes

  • Speak, read and write at least one Asian language (at the intermediate level);

  • Demonstrate an integrated, balanced understanding of the region in the humanities/arts and the social sciences (Critical Thinking and Reasoning);

  • Conduct research on Asia and exhibit a familiarity and comfort with various data sources on Asia (Information Literacy);

  • Illustrate skills in one or more disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia;

  • Acquire substantive knowledge of Asia.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ASN100. East-West Living & Learning Community. 1 Credit.

Participation in a Living & Learning community bringing together domestic students interested in cultures of Asia with students from those countries in a dorm setting where they engage in educational activities.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May be repeated for credit

ASN200. Introduction to Asia. 3 Credits.

A gateway to the Asian Studies major. The introduction exposes students to important concepts, themes and developments in Asia.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Intermediate
  • Critical Think Reason Interm
  • Information Literacy (GE3)
  • Liberal Arts
  • GE5: World History Global Aw
  • GE4: World Civilizations
  • GE3: WRLD

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May not be repeated for credit

ASN293. Asian Studies Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

May be repeated for credit

ASN295. Independent Study Asian Studie. 1-12 Credits.

May be repeated for credit

ASN300. Asian Americans. 3 Credits.

This course uses both the stories and histories of the Asian diaspora to consider the ways in which concepts such as race, ethnicity, gender, immigration, politics, social mobility, colonialism and more are both constructed and reflected in the Asian American experience.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Intermediate
  • Critical Think Reason Interm
  • GE4: DIVR
  • GE3: DIVR
  • GE5: DEISJ
  • Information Literacy (GE3)
  • Liberal Arts
May not be repeated for credit

ASN393. Selected Topics. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

ASN399. Asian Studies Modular Course. 1-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

ASN400. Asian Studies Seminar. 1 Credit.

Capstone for graduating Asian Studies majors. Students will take this course after having completed a Capstone Prerequisite Course (CPC) with a minimum grade of B-.

Attributes:

  • Critical Thinking Advanced
  • Critical Think Reasoning Adv
  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
  • Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration): Asian Studies (503)
May not be repeated for credit

ASN495. Independent Study Asian. 1-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

Faculty

Birla, Swati
Assistant Professor, Sociology
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Office: JFT 518
Phone: (845) 257-3503
E-mail: birlas@newpaltz.edu

Clerici, Nathen 
Program Director
Associate Professor, Languages, Literatures & Cultures
Ph.D., University of British Columbia
Office: OM 308B
Phone: (845) 257-3488
E-mail: clericin@newpaltz.edu

Elstein, David
Professor, Philosophy
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Office: JFT 914
Phone: (845) 257-2314
E-mail: elsteind@newpaltz.edu

Fenkl, Heinz Insu
Professor, English
M.A., University of California, Davis
Office: JFT 618
Phone: (845) 257-2743
E-mail: fenklh@newpaltz.edu

Harris, Kristine
Professor, History
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: JFT 922
Phone: (845) 257-3546
E-mail: harrisk@newpaltz.edu

Kim, Dasol
Assistant Professor, Digital Media & Journalism
MFA, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
Office: CSB 36
Phone: (845) 257-3451
E-mail: kimd@newpaltz.edu

Lee, Elizabeth
Assistant Professor, Art History
Ph.D., New York University
Office: SAB 108E
E-mail: leee23@newpaltz.edu

Mark, Lauren
Assistant Professor, Communication
Office: JFT 320
Phone: (845) 257-3438
E-mail: markl@newpaltz.edu

Meeker, Lauren
Professor, Anthropology
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: WH 333
Phone: (845) 257-2989
E-mail: meekerl@newpaltz.edu

Rock, Melissa
Associate Professor, Geography & Environmental Studies
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
Office: SH 103
Phone: (845) 257-2994
E-mail: myrock@newpaltz.edu

Schwartz, Jonathan
Professor, Political Science & International Relations
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Office: JFT 816
Phone: (845) 257-2627
E-mail: schwartj@newpaltz.edu

Shimada, Akira
Professor, History
Ph.D., University of London
Office: JFT 418
Phone: (845) 257-3538
E-mail: shimadaa@newpaltz.edu