About Us

Asian Studies is an emerging program at the University of Lethbridge. Interest in Asia, exchange programs with universities in Asia, and cultural influences from Asia have much deeper roots at the university and in the larger community. The first Buddhist temple in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains was in the nearby town of Raymond, Alberta. Lethbridge is home to the largest Bhutanese community in Canada.

The university’s oldest exchange program is with Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo, Japan. Professors have been teaching at each other’s campuses for more than 40 years and students have participated in this exchange with Japan for almost that long.

U of L students participate in study tours, exchanges, and work studies in Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, China, and many other parts of Asia. They can also learn more about Asian history, geography, literature, religion, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, gender, politics, economics, global health, and social issues right here at the U of L. There are ever-growing ties between our university (and region) and many places, institutions, and people throughout Asia.

The Asian Studies program seeks to create greater opportunity for students interested in Asia by coordinating the minor in Asian Studies and helping students to discover the rich array of courses, speakers, exchange programs, and faculty research areas connected to Asia.

In keeping with the principles of liberal education, the Asian Studies Minor is open to students across Faculties and Schools.

Examination of histories, cultures, and societies of Asia. Diversity across time and space while also emphasizing commonalities in the civilizations of South, Southeast, and East Asia. Thematic organization will make reference to history, geography, literature, religion, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, politics, economics, global health, gender, and social issues to provide a broad introduction to Asia.

Required courses:

Six courses (18.0 credit hours) in Asian Studies and related subjects, including at least one course (3.0 credit hours) at the 3000/4000 level, as follows:

Asian Studies 1000 - Introduction to Asia

Five of:

Any additional courses in Asian Studies
Geography 3605 - the Changing Geography of China
History 2290 - Main Themes in East Asian History
History 4040 - Seminars in East Asian History (Series)
Interdisciplinary Studies 2008 - Japan and the Japanese (Series)
Interdisciplinary Studies 2600 - Study Tour of Japan
Japanese 1000 - Beginners’ Japanese I
Japanese 1100 - Beginners’ Japanese II
Japanese 1500 - Intermediate Language I
Japanese 2000 - Intermediate Language II
Japanese 3001 - Advanced Language
Religious Studies 2100 - The Hindu Tradition
Religious Studies 2200 - The Buddhist Tradition
Religious Studies 2330 - Chinese Religions
Religious Studies 2360 - Japanese Religions
Religious Studies 3100 - Studies in Indian Religion (Series)
Religious Studies 3300 - Studies in East Asian Religions (Series)
Religious Studies 4110 - Seminars in Eastern Religions (Series)

Alternative courses may be counted toward the minor provided (1) they are clearly related to Asian Studies and (2) they are approved by the Dean of Arts and Science.

No more than one Independent Study (1990, 2990, 3990, 4990) or Applied Studies (2980, 3980, 4980) course may be counted toward the minor.

No more than three courses from any one related discipline may be counted among the six courses required for the Asian Studies minor. There is no limit to the number of Asian Studies courses that may be counted toward the minor; however,

Students may include up to four Management courses in the minor, subject to the following provisions:

• No more than two courses offered by the Dhillon School of Business may be completed. These may include offerings in Management 3815 - Regional Aspects of International Management (Series) and Management 4640 - Cross-Cultural Work Study provided (1) they are clearly related to Asian Studies and (2) they are approved by the Dean of Arts and Science.

• No more than two courses completed at an exchange partner institution in Asia provided (1) they are clearly related to Asian Studies and (2) they are approved by the Dean of Arts and Science.

Always refer to the current year's academic calendar for the most recent information.