Asian and Pacific Studies, B.A.

Objectives

Asian and Pacific Studies (ASPA), an interdisciplinary area studies program, provides a general background to the traditions and cultures of Asia and the Pacific as well as an understanding of contemporary issues relating to that region. Furthermore, given the present shift of interest to the Pacific region, it aims to deepen the student’s knowledge of Asia and the Pacific or of a country/area through a concentrated study in one academic discipline. This academic program, therefore, seeks to develop the student’s personal interest in Asian and Pacific affairs and to prepare her or him for Asia-related career opportunities. Majors and minors in ASPA are encouraged to enroll in LMU’s Study Abroad offerings in Asia.

Asian and Pacific Studies Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will come to understand the cultures of the Asian Pacific region and their contributions to human civilization, with special attention to distinctively Asian culture and spiritual traditions that originated in this region.
• Students will enhance their competencies by doing original research on topics of concern in the Asian Pacific region, and communicate their findings in both written and oral presentations. Students will also acquire a basic knowledge and skill in an Asian language.
• Students will have the opportunity to develop self-awareness by exploring interactively the relationships between their own cultures and those of the Asian Pacific region.

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Lower Division Requirements
ASPA 2100	Asian Civilizations	4
HIST 1800	Modern Asia: China, Korea, and Japan since 1600	4
Subtotal		8
Language Requirement
Study of an Asian language (competence expected is the equivalent of a one-year study, i.e., 8 semester hours) 1		8
Subtotal		8
Upper Division Requirements
ASPA 3200	Introduction to Asian Literature	4
ASPA 3500	Economic and Political Issues in Contemporary Asia	4
ASPA 5000	Senior Integrating Seminar	4
Select twelve additional upper division semester hours from ASPA courses 2		12
Subtotal		24
Total Semester Hours		40

¹

Native speakers of an Asian language may be exempted from the language requirement but will be strongly encouraged to study another language. At LMU, course credit may be obtained for CHIN 1101 Chinese 1, CHIN 1102 Chinese 2, CHIN 2103 Chinese 3, CHIN 2104 Chinese 4; JAPN 2101 Japanese 1, JAPN 2102 Japanese 2, JAPN 2103 Japanese 3, JAPN 2104 Japanese 4.

²

or, in consultation with the Chairperson, from courses with substantial content focused on Asia and the Pacific region in other disciplines, including art, business, economics, history, philosophy, political science, and theological studies.

Asian and Pacific Studies Model Four-Year Plan

The normal course load is 16 semester hours (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as ASPA major prerequisites. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Semester Hours
HIST 1800	Modern Asia: China, Korea, and Japan since 1600	4
Asian Language		4
FFYS 1000	First Year Seminar	4
University Core		3-4
	Semester Hours	15-16
Spring
Asian Language		4
RHET 1000	Rhetorical Arts	3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Sophomore Year
Fall
ASPA 2100	Asian Civilizations	4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Spring
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	12-16
Junior Year
Fall
ASPA 3200	Introduction to Asian Literature	4
ASPA Upper Division		4
University Core		3-4
Upper Division Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
Spring
ASPA 3500	Economic and Political Issues in Contemporary Asia	4
ASPA Upper Division		4
University Core		3-4
Upper Division Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
Senior Year
Fall
ASPA Upper Division		4
ASPA Upper Division		4
Upper Division Elective		3-4
Upper Division Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
Spring
ASPA 5000	Senior Integrating Seminar	4
ASPA Upper Division		4
Upper Division Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
	Minimum Semester Hours	109-128

¹

Note: 

Courses containing substantial content related to Asia and/or the Pacific, offered by programs, departments and colleges outside of ASPA, may fulfill upper-division requirements for the ASPA major or minor. Please consult with the ASPA coordinator or Chairperson.