Concentrations
Concentrations
China
China is one of the world’s largest and most powerful countries, and historically its language, literature, and culture shaped much of East Asia. Students in the China concentration of Asian Studies will have the opportunity to develop specific knowledge about Chinese language, culture, history, art, society, politics, and geography, as well as the ability to contextualize China within the broader Asian region. Understanding China is critical for being an informed global citizen in the 21st century, and students in the Asian Studies China concentration will have a competitive advantage.
Click here for the Fall 2025 major requirements
Japan
Japan is a cultural and economic powerhouse. Its global influence extends deep into Tennessee, where it is the largest foreign investor in the state. Students in the Japan concentration of Asian Studies will have the opportunity to develop specific knowledge about Japanese language, culture, history, art, society, politics, and geography, as well as the ability to contextualize Japan within the broader Asian region. Whether in the realms of popular culture, technology, or politics, understanding Japan is a critical part of being an informed global citizen in the 21st century.
Click here for the Fall 2025 major requirements
South and Southeast Asia
South and Southeast Asia are home to a third of the world’s population, including the world’s most populous country, India. In addition to India, these regions include such countries as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Indonesia. The South and Southeast Asia concentration of Asian Studies offers students the only option for majoring in South and Southeast Asian studies at the University of Tennessee. Students in this concentration will develop specific knowledge of South and Southeast Asian cultures, histories, arts, societies, politics, and geographies, as well as the ability to contextualize South and Southeast Asia within the broader Asian region.
Click here for the Fall 2025 major requirements
Islamic World
Many people think that the Islamic World only refers to the Middle East, but in fact the four countries with the largest Muslim populations—Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—are all located in South and Southeast Asia. The Islamic World concentration of Asian Studies is a good fit for students who are interested in Islam throughout Asia, beyond and including the Middle East (which is largely part of Asia as well). Students in this concentration will have the opportunity to develop specific knowledge of languages, cultures, histories, arts, societies, politics, and geographies of the Islamic World in Asia, as well as the ability to contextualize the Islamic World within the broader Asian region.
Click here for the Fall 2025 major requirements
General Asian Studies
Asia extends west-east from the Middle East to Japan, and north-south from Russia to Sri Lanka. It is the world’s largest and most populous continent. Students in the Asian Studies concentration will have an opportunity to develop knowledge of Asian languages, cultures, histories, arts, societies, politics, and geographies. The general Asian Studies concentration helps students build a strong foundation of cross-cultural competence that can support careers in law, technology, business, NGOs, graduate study in the humanities or social sciences, and more.
Click here for the Fall 2025 major requirements
