A Proposal for an Asian Studies Minor at Eastern Illinois University

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A Proposal for an Asian Studies Minor at Eastern
Illinois University

• Lilian A. Barria
• Eastern Illinois University

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Purpose of the Institute

• The Asian Studies Development Programs major
  objective is infusing Asian content and
  perspectives into the American undergraduate
  curriculum.
• Southeast Asia Indigenous Cultures and Outside
  Influences was designed to meet the needs of
  faculty from the humanities and social sciences
  who are interested in deepening the role of
  comparative cultural studies through the infusion
  of Southeast Asian materials into their teaching.

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Why a Minor?

• The Asian Studies minor is intended to supplement
  students. major concentrations, through
  systematic instruction about Asia.
• A minor in Asian Studies provides a unique
  opportunity for students to augment their
  knowledge, language skills and cross-cultural
  expertise in a region of increasing strategic and
  global importance.
• The minor may be pursued with a view to
  broadening the scope of any major, to acquiring a
  comparative perspective within any of the
  humanistic and social science disciplines, or as
  a basis for future graduate work or a career
  related to Asia.
• As an interdisciplinary program, the minor in
  Asian Studies will provide students with
  preliminary training in this vital area of
  inquiry.

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How has this Institute shaped my
conceptualization of what a Minor might look
like?

• Diversity of Topics
• Diversity of Fields of Study
• Diversity of Time Periods
• The External Influences on a Region
• The Indigenous Aspects of a Region

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Other Public Universities in the area that offer
a Minor

• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• East Asian Languages and Cultures 21 Hours
• Northern Illinois University
• Southeast Asian Studies 19 Hours
• Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
• East Asian Civilization 15 Hours
• Asian Studies 20 hours
• Western Illinois University None
• Illinois State University None

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Who is EIU?

• Eastern Illinois University is located in
  Charleston, Illinois, in east central Illinois.
  It centrally located 2 hours from St. Louis and
  Indianapolis, and 3 hours from Chicago. The city
  has a population of approximately 20,000.
• Faculty
• 600 Full-time
• 85 White/Non-Hispanic
• Students
• 11,000
• 87 White/Non-Hispanic

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What Fields at EIU cover topics relevant to an
Asian Studies Minor?

• Art
• Speech Communications
• Economics
• English
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Geography
• Health

• History
• Journalism
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physical Education
• Political Science
• Senior Seminar
• Theater
• Womens Studies

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How are Interdisciplinary Minors Structured at
EIU?

• African American Studies, Latin American Studies,
  Pre-Law Studies, Women Studies
• 18-24 Credit Hours (6-8 Courses)
• Core Courses
• Minor-specific.
• Non-minor-specific.
• Elective Courses
• At least 6 hours (2 courses) numbered 3000
  above.

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Potential Core Courses

• ART 2012G Non-Western Fine Arts.
• ART 3611 Art in India and Southeast Asia.
• ART 3612 Art in China and Japan.
• ENG 3110G - Cultural Foundations II.
• ENG 4850 - Studies in Third World Literatures.
• GEG 3055 - Geography and Culture of Asia.
• HIS 3320 - History of Modern China.
• MUS 3562G - Non-Western Music.
• PHI 2010 - Eastern Philosophies.

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Potential Core Courses (cont.)

• PHI 3310 - Indian Philosophy.
• PHI 3320 - Chinese Philosophy.
• PHI 3680 - Buddhism. 
• PLS 3363 - Government and Politics in
  Asia-Pacific Rim.
• PLS 4933 - Ideologies of the Third World
  Nations.  
• EIU 4104G - World Film Language and Culture in
  Film.
• THA 2012G - Non-Western Theatre.
• WST 4800 - Non-Western Feminisms Gender,
  Culture, and Nation.

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Potential Elective Courses

• CMN 3710 - Intercultural Communication.
• ECN 3860 - International Economics.
• ECN 4511 - Comparative Economic Systems.
• FCS 2231 - Sociology of Clothing.
• GEG 1100G - Cultural Geography.
• HST 2600 - International Health Issues.
• JOU 3952 - International Journalism and the World
  Press Processes, Issues, Functions and
  Challenges.
• PED 2900G - International Expression for Dance.  
• PLS 1003 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
• EIU 4109G - The Politics of Human Rights.

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What are we missing at EIU?

• Language Courses.
• More Region-Specific Courses.
• Minor-specific Courses.

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How can I contribute to this Minor?

• PLS 3363 - Government and Politics in
  Asia-Pacific Rim.
• PLS 1003 - Introduction to Comparative Politics.
• EIU 4109 Politics of Human Rights.

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How can Robert Petersen contribute to this Minor?

• ART 2012G Non-Western Fine Arts.
• ART 3611 Art in India and Southeast Asia.
• ART 3612 Art in China and Japan.
• THA 2012G - Non-Western Theatre.

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What are the next steps?

• Meet with faculty who teach identified courses.
• Collect syllabi.
• Begin a discussion group.
• Get Departmental support.
• Make proposal to Curriculum Committee.
• Explore ways to further infuse existing courses
  with Asian and Southeast Asian content.

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Wish Us Luck!