1999 Arts Handbook - Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies)

Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies)

General information
Objectives of the BA(Asian Studies) degree

General information

Course code: 0563
Coordinator: Dr Barbara Hatley

Objectives of the BA(Asian Studies) degree

This degree is designed for students wishing to augment the objectives of the general BA with specialised knowledge of Asia. Graduates of the BA (Asian Studies) are expected:

to have a knowledge of the general geography, history and significance of the region commonly termed 'Asia';
to be aware of cultural and historical differences within the region in terms of general areas (East, Northeast, South and Southeast Asia) and to appreciate the differentiation in broad terms between countries of the region;
to have an understanding of one of the four areas in greater detail, including the similarities, differences and interrelations between the countries of that area;
to have a closer knowledge of a particular country within the area, including a working knowledge of the language of that country;
to have obtained a working knowledge of an Asian language through having completed a major in that language;
to view the country and/or area of focus within the framework of a discipline by having completed a major in a chosen discipline with a concentration of at least two semesters on the country or area most closely related to the Asian language studied;
to have acquired the capacity to differentiate between Eurocentric views of the region and the realities which shape culture and development in contemporary Asia; and
to have achieved a basic level of language and information which could allow specialisation in the field of Asian studies at the graduate level.