Asian Studies
Convenor: Dr Lewis Mayo
The countries of Asia are Australia’s largest trading partners and are of vital importance to Australia’s economic growth and security. For Australians, Asia increasingly defines who we are and our place in the world. A knowledge of Asia is thus a crucial national asset at a time of rapid globalisation and social change. International students wishing to add an Asian competency to their qualifications will find a broad range of subjects taught by experts in the Asian region.
The Asian Studies program at the University of Melbourne is one of the largest in Australia. Asian Studies subjects are taught both within Asia Institute and across the Faculties. This enables the University to offer a comprehensive range of subjects in the rich intellectual, cultural, legal, economic, political and religious traditions of Asia, with a focus on China, Indonesia, Japan, the Middle East and Southeast Asian and Pacific societies.
Student exchange programs are additionally available to major universities within the Asian region and through the outreach unit, Asialink, the University offers a stimulating program of events and activities with an Asian focus.
Asian Studies subjects are normally taught in English and do not require language prerequisites. It is recommended that students majoring in Asian Studies also study an Asian language but this is not compulsory.
Ways to Enrol in Asian Studies
- Include one or more subjects in your Bachelor of Arts or combined Arts degree, or as an option within your non-Arts degree (see Asian Studies Subjects below).
- Include an Asian Studies major in your Bachelor of Arts or combined Arts degree.
- Enrol in a Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies) together with your other degree course. This option adds an extra year to your studies, but you will graduate with both a Bachelor’s degree and a Diploma.
- Enrol in Combined Asian Studies Honours after completion of a major in Asian Studies.
- If you are a graduate in another discipline, you can add to your qualifications by enrolling in one of a number of postgraduate coursework programs:
In order to optimise their choices in later years, students considering a major in Asian Studies are encouraged to include several subjects drawn from the following disciplines in their first year: Asia Institute subjects (code 110), History subjects (131), Politics (166), Geography (121) and Anthropology (121).
Students can undertake the study of Asian languages in addition to their major in Asian Studies. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, *Thai, *Korean and *Vietnamese. (*Subjects offered by other institutions to University of Melbourne students)
Students are encouraged to complete one or more of the first year subjects listed below and to examine carefully subject prerequisites for second/third year Asian studies subjects.
Asian Studies Subjects
A full description of all subjects that contribute to a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies major) is available on the Undergraduate Handbook summary page.
General enquiries
Please contact the Arts and Music Student Centre.
Web Resources
- East Asian Collection Chinese Studies
- Asian Studies Association of Australia
- Bibliography of Asian Studies (electronic database available from the Baillieu Library)
- Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library (ANU)