We study the languages, societies and cultures of major civilizations that stretch from the Arab World to Japan. Students expand their knowledge and challenge assumptions about this large and vital part of the world.
Students gain a sophisticated understanding of one of the four cultural areas—Japan, China, South Asia and West Asia—that make up our department.
The Major
As part of the Five College Arabic Language Initiative, we offer a full sequence of courses in Arabic.
Arabic Language
We offer a coherent sequence of Mandarin Chinese courses from the elementary through the advanced.
Chinese Language
We teach Japanese using the “stage-step” method. Students learn to speak, read, write and listen in Japanese.
Japanese Language
Amherst has long ties with Japan’s Doshisha University, founded by Amherst graduate Joseph Hardy Neesima, the first Japanese man to earn a college degree from a Western institution.
Doshisha University
At weekly language tables, students share meals while speaking Chinese, Japanese or Arabic.
Language Tables
Roughly translated as “Garden of Friendship,” the Yūshien is a contemplative garden in the Japanese style at Amherst. It has been ranked among the nation’s top Japanese gardens.
YūshienInvestigate the long-term economic, social, and cultural transformations throughout China’s long history, including major cultural traditions from its very beginnings to the eve of modernity.
Survey the Indian commercial cinema known as Bollywood, developing historical and theoretical perspectives that locate Indian films in a critical relation to other traditions of world cinema.
Explore the major historical scholarship and debates on the state, society, and economy during the Ming-Qing era (China's last two imperial dynasties) and investigate how scholars' historical interpretations have developed over time.
We award the Doshisha Asian Studies Prize for the best undergraduate honors thesis pertaining to Asia, and The Smith Prize for Japanese Studies.