Asian Studies at Bates

Visit the full Asian Studies site

The Program in Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to encourage students to deepen their understanding of Asian cultures through coursework and senior theses, along with rigorous training and expertise in Chinese or Japanese language. We offer majors in Chinese, Japanese, and Asian studies, as well as minors in each of these subjects.

Contact Us

Indya Childs, Academic Administrative Assistant
9 Andrews Road
Roger Williams
ichilds@bates.edu

What You Will Learn

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To develop knowledge, context, and inter-cultural competency about Asia

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Asia’s complex experiences with local, regional, and global flows of culture, history, and power

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The languages, histories, philosophies, politics, economies, literatures, arts, religions, and cultures of the many peoples of Asia and its diasporas

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To hone oral and written communication skills by presenting at student conferences

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To develop conversational skills through roundtables where you’ll connect with native speakers of your target language

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How to apply and integrate your knowledge during semester-long or full-year study abroad programs in China or Japan or “Short Term” trips to India or Vietnam

Life After Bates

Students leave the Program in Asian Studies with a deep cultural understanding and analytical skills that help them excel in a variety of fields, including finance, medicine, law, business, the arts, teaching, and beyond. Recent graduates have gone on to successful careers as public humanities and research fellows and financial managers.

94%

of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school — settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.

Selected Places of Employment/Service

Fulbright Program
Bank of America
PayPal
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
EY
Economists Incorporated
Pointe Bello
Cheng & Tsui
SOAR Immigration Legal Services
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project

Selected Graduate Schools

University of Oxford
Tufts University
Columbia University
George Washington University
MGH Institute of Health Professions
University of Pennsylvania
Boston University
University of Chicago

A student speaks to their peers during an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

Two students have a discussion during an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

A group of students have a discussion during an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

A professor speaks to a small group of students during an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

A student reacts to a discussion during an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

Two students gather around a table in Roger Williams hall, painting traditional faces of Peking Opera masks.

A professor stands at the front of the classroom teaching an Asian Studies Samurai class in Hedge Hall.

A professor stands in front of a projector teaching the basics of written Japanese during a Beginning Japanese I class.

Students launch boats built during an Apprentice Learning: Building the Japanese Boat short term course in a traditional Japanese boat launching ceremony on Lake Andrews.

A student stands in front of her peers presenting a slide titled “Accessibility of Chinese Pop Culture” during the Mount David Summit in Pettengill Hall.

Why Study Asian Studies at Bates?

Our program creates opportunities to learn from important voices and perspectives from Asia, giving students a necessary and timely alternative to U.S.-centric world views. We invite those in our classes to examine Asia from all angles, looking beyond the popular music, cinema, and literature from the region that have become mainstays on the world stage to consider how truly interconnected the U.S. and Asia are on every level.

Featured Courses

Meet the Faculty

The Asian studies faculty comes from all over the world and brings a wealth of knowledge about language study and acquisition, ancient and modern culture, and a range of methods for studying Asian societies and cultures. Faculty members have expertise in a wide range of subjects, including Chinese history, political science, Japanese digital storytelling, and more. We regularly engage with students beyond the classroom through hosting campus-wide Asian cultural events.