The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman offers the following Asian Studies courses covering Northeast Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, and West Asian Studies. The Northeast Asian Studies program of the Asian Center requires a country specialization. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester. Download the PDF listing these courses and detailing the Programs of Study, which identifies the required courses depending on track (thesis or nonthesis program) and area of specialization. Scroll below or click on the bullets:
- Core Courses
- Courses: Northeast Asia
- Courses: Southeast Asia
- Courses: South Asia
- Courses: West Asia
- Electives
All students, regardless of area of specialization or track (thesis or non thesis) are required to take these courses.
AS 201b Asia in Antiquity
An introductory survey course about the civilizations of Asia from prehistory until immediately prior to Western expansionism and/or colonization, from the 16th century onwards. 3u.
AS 201 - Ab Modern Asia
A broad multidisciplinary examination of the coming of Western colonialism/imperialism to Asia, decolonization and the rise of nation-states. 3u.
AS 210 Theories & Perspectives on Area Studies
Overview of theoretical concepts complementing & enriching the study of societies, cultures & institutions of Asian countries & regions. Prereq: AS 201. 201 – A. 3u.
AS 299 Research Methods. 3u.
Regardless of track (thesis or nonthesis), students who major in Northeast Asia must subspecialize on China, Japan OR, Korea, and take country-specific courses for their major accordingly. They must complete 12 units or 4 courses for their area of specialization, including three country-specific subjects (one each for social and economic development; politics and governance, and culture and society) and AS 230.
AS 230 Seminar on Northeast Asia
Studies on the region in general. 3u.
AS 234 Special Problems: Northeast Asia
Focused thematic approaches to the study of NEA countries. Prereq: AS 230. 3u., may be taken twice.
China
AS 220 Modern Chinese Texts
Selections from contemporary writing with emphasis on the social sciences. Reading knowledge of Chinese presupposed. 3u.
AS 235.1 Social & Economic Development in China. 3u.
AS 235.2 Politics & Governance in China. 3u.
AS 235.3 Culture & Society in China. 3u.
Japan
AS 221 Modern Japanese Texts
Selections from contemporary writing with emphasis on the social sciences. Reading knowledge of Japanese presupposed. 3u.
AS 236.1 Social & Economic Development in Japan. 3u.
AS 236.2 Politics & Governance in Japan. 3u.
AS 236.3 Culture & Society in Japan. 3u.
Korea
AS 237.1 Social & Economic Development in Korea. 3u.
AS 237.2 Politics & Governance in Korea. 3u.
AS 237.3 Culture & Society in Korea. 3u.
Regardless of track (thesis or nonthesis), students who major in Southeast Asia are not required to take courses on a particular Southeast Asian country. They must complete 15 units or 5 of these courses for their area of specialization. Four courses -- AS 255.1, AS 255.2, AS 255.3, and AS 256 -- are required for Southeast Asian majors.
AS 241 Modern Indonesian Texts
Selections from contemporary writing with emphasis on the social sciences. Reading knowledge of Malay presupposed. 3u.
AS 250 Seminar on Southeast Asia
A regional survey of the origins, development, & formation of Southeast Asian states & societies; their cultural, trade, & political linkages prior to Western colonialism; & their subsequent responses to external contact & influences. 3u.
AS 252 Readings on Southeast Asia I
Thematically-organized readings on the countries of mainland Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia). 3u.
AS 253 Readings on Southeast Asia II
Thematically-organized readings on the countries of insular Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Timor Leste). 3u.
AS 254 Special Problems: Southeast Asia. 3u.
AS 255.1 Social & Economic Development in Southeast Asia
Seminar course examining contemporary issues in the social & economic development of Southeast Asia. 3u.
AS 255.2 Politics & Governance in Southeast Asia
Seminar course examining contemporary issues in politics & governance in Southeast Asia.
AS 255.3 Culture & Society in Southeast Asia
Seminar course examining the foundations & socio-cultural characteristics of selected Southeast Asian communities, & the role that culture plays in defining contemporary society. 3u.
AS 256 International Relations of Southeast Asia & ASEAN
Seminar course examining the historical, ideological, cultural, economic, & political foundations of international relations in Southeast Asia. The course also explores contemporary issues & problems in the external linkages of Southeast Asia & ASEAN & how these may have an impact on the Philippines. 3u.
Regardless of track (thesis or nonthesis), students who major in South Asia are not required to take courses on a particular South Asian country. They must complete 12 units or 4 of these courses for their area of specialization.
AS 260 Seminar on South Asia I. Studies on the region in general. 3u.
AS 261 Seminar on South Asia II. 3u.
AS 262 Readings on South Asia I. 3u.
AS 263 Readings on South Asia II. 3u.
AS 264 Special Problems: South Asia. 3u.
Regardless of track (thesis or nonthesis), students who major in West Asia are not required to take courses on a particular West Asian country. They must complete 12 units or 4 of these courses for their area of specialization.
AS 280 Seminar on West Asia I. Studies on the region in general. 3u.
AS 281 Seminar on West Asia II. Studies on particular countries in the region. Special sections focusing on single countries may be organized & marked from A to Z. 3u.
AS 282 Readings on West Asia I. 3u.
AS 283 Readings on West Asia II. 3u.
AS 284 Special Problems: West Asia. 3u.
Electives are open to students regardless of track (thesis or non thesis) or their area of specialization. Please note that students can take only a certain number of courses apart from the core courses and subjects under their area of specialization. It is advised that before they enroll in any subjects, students should discuss the matter and seek the approval of their program adviser and the Office of the College Secretary.
AS 202 The East-West Encounter
Imperialism, neo-colonialism, intellectual and cultural developments. 3u.
AS 203 Nationalism & National Development
The connection of the rise of nationalism with the broader social, political, and economic process of modernization in Asia, using case studies, quantitative data, & research methods from various social sciences. 3u.
AS 204 Agrarian Development & Peasantry in Asia
The political & economic role of peasants & the rural population in general, the nature of traditional agrarian society; the impact of modernization, rural-urban relations, & different forms of organization in rural society. 3u.
AS 205 Industrialization & Urban Development in Asia
Social, economic, & political implications of rapid industrialization & contemporary urbanization in selected Asian countries. 3u.
AS 206 Philosophies & Religions of Asia
Development & functions of philosophies & religions in Asian societies. 3u.
AS 207 Arts of Asia
Development & functions of the arts in Asian societies. 3u.
AS 208 Socialism & Capitalism in Asia
Review & critical analysis of various types of socialistic & capitalistic theories & the manner of their implementation in Asia. 3u.
AS 211 Security Issues in the Asia Pacific
Seminar on contemporary problems in the security of the countries and peoples of the Asia Pacific since the end of the Cold War. 3 u.
AS 212 Regionalism and Community Building in Asia
Study of the growing trend towards higher forms of association surpassing nation-state boundaries, affecting both state and non-state actors. 3 u.
AS 298 Special Problems in Asian Studies
Focused thematic approaches to the multidisciplinary field of Asian Studies. Prereq: AS 201, 201 – A. 3u., may be taken twice.
Students can also take, as electives, other region- or country-specific courses as long as doing so is allowed according to their Program of Study (one each per track and area of specialization). Please consult the said document before enrolling in any course, and seek the advice of Office of the College of Secretary.
AS 300 Thesis in Asian Studies. 6u. (for thesis track only).
Download the PDF listing these courses and detailing the Programs of Study, which identifies the required courses depending on track (thesis or nonthesis program) and area of specialization. Click on the bullets below:
