The subject matter of area studies is wide. Whichever country or region of the globe you choose to focus on, you will study its history, geography, language, literature, society, government, politics, culture, philosophy, and economics. You will explore how change in many different societies sheds light on human rights, development, security, and governance. You will examine different viewpoints concerning world challenges, engage in debate, and make discoveries about the templates that frame our understanding of the world.", "display_order": 1, "created_at": "2020-01-27T17:21:48.331547-08:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-18T13:55:49.076275-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 2093, "page": 1, "title": "Program Options", "summary_markdown": "As the name of the degree implies, area studies programs focus on an *area* of the world \u2013 either on a specific country or general world region. The choices available to students, therefore, are as wide as the world is vast. Below are some typical options within the major. Some schools offer combined programs in area studies and international relations or international studies. It is very common for area studies majors to include related foreign language courses in their curriculum and to spend some time studying abroad, at a destination relevant to their chosen concentration. \r\n\r\n- African Studies \r\n- American / United States Studies / Civilization \r\n- Asian Studies/Civilization \r\n- Balkans Studies \r\n- Baltic Studies \r\n- Canadian Studies \r\n- Caribbean Studies \r\n- Central and Eastern European Studies \r\n- Chinese Studies \r\n- Commonwealth Studies \r\n- East Asian Studies \r\n- European Studies / Civilization \r\n- French Studies \r\n- German Studies \r\n- Irish Studies \r\n- Italian Studies \r\n- Japanese Studies \r\n- Korean Studies \r\n- Latin American Studies \r\n- Latin American and Caribbean Studies \r\n- Near and Middle Eastern Studies \r\n- Pacific Area / Pacific Rim Studies \r\n- Polish Studies \r\n- Regional Studies (US, Canadian, Foreign) \r\n- Russian Studies \r\n- Scandinavian Studies \r\n- Slavic Studies \r\n- South Asian Studies \r\n- Southeast Asian Studies \r\n- Spanish and Iberian Studies \r\n- Tibetan Studies \r\n- Ukraine Studies \r\n- Ural-Altaic and Central Asian Studies \r\n- Western European Studies", "content_markdown": "For the sake of example, each of the degree sections below focuses on a specific area of study, to show the kinds of courses that are usually offered at that level. \r\n\r\n**Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Four Year Duration** \r\nBachelor\u2019s degree programs in area studies are introductory in nature. They provide students with foundational knowledge through courses in history, geography, philosophy, culture, and government and politics. \r\n\r\nExample: **Asian Studies** \r\nSample Courses: \r\n- Introduction to Contemporary Japanese Society and Culture \r\n- Beyond the Middle Kingdom: Introduction to East Asian History \r\n- A Passage to South Asia: Introduction to South Asian History \r\n- Regional Geography of East Asia \r\n- Regional Geography of South Asia \r\n- Late Imperial China \r\n- Japan under the Shoguns, 1600 to 1868 \r\n- Asian Philosophy \r\n- Comparative Politics of Asia \r\n- East Asian Archaeology \r\n- China in the Twentieth Century: Reforms and Revolutions \r\n- British India 1857 to 1947 \r\n- Indian Subcontinent since 1947 \r\n- History of Modern Japan \r\n- Japanese Culture and Business \r\n- Japanese Culture through Film \r\n- Developing Intercultural Competencies in the 21st Century \r\n- Government and Politics of India \r\n- China and the West \r\n- Gandhi in History \r\n- Warriors of Japan: The Samurai \r\n- The Vietnam War in Historical Perspective \r\n- Understanding Japanese Culture through Literature \r\n\r\n**Master\u2019s Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Two Year Duration** \r\nAt the master\u2019s level, students often choose a specialization *within* their specific area of study. In a European and Eurasian Studies program, this could mean specializing in subfields such as European and European Union (EU) Studies or Russian, Eurasian, and Transition Studies. The master\u2019s program\u2019s culminating requirement is normally a thesis based on original research. Some schools may offer a non-thesis major paper or coursework track. \r\n\r\nExample: **European and Eurasian Studies** \r\nSample Courses: \r\n- Ethnography of Eurasia \r\n- Representations of the Holocaust \r\n- Gender and Nation: Women\u2019s State in Modern Central, Eastern, and Northern European Literatures and Cultures \r\n- Modern Europe: Places and Borders \r\n- Contemporary Europe: Identity and Geopolitics \r\n- Britain 1750 \u2013 1850 \r\n- Early Twentieth Century Britain \r\n- Britain, 1945 \u2013 Present \r\n- France since the Revolution \r\n- Imperial Russian History, 1800 \u2013 1917 \r\n- The Soviet Union \r\n- East Central Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries \r\n- Nineteenth-Century Germany \r\n- Twentieth-Century Germany \r\n- Europe During the Reformation \r\n- Europe in the 19th Century \r\n- Europe, 1900 \u2013 1950 \r\n- Europe since 1950 \r\n- Politics and Culture in Europe, 1890 \u2013 1914 \r\n- Italian Fascism in Interdisciplinary Perspective \r\n- European Politics: Selected Cases \r\n- European Integration \r\n\r\n**Doctoral Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Four to Six Year Duration** \r\nThe master\u2019s program in area studies typically involves a lot of taught courses. It emphasizes the transition from pure subject learning to independent research. On the other hand, the doctoral degree is like a very long dissertation project. Ph.D. students have the benefit of supervision from a faculty advisor and may complete some taught classes, but their focus is on independent research, on contributing original \u2013 new \u2013 knowledge to their field. The Doctoral Degree in Area Studies is aimed at those who want to teach the discipline at the university level. \r\n\r\nExample: **Middle Eastern Studies** \r\nHere are possible concentrations and courses available to Middle Eastern Studies doctoral candidates: \r\n\r\nHistory: \r\n- Advanced Studies in Middle Eastern History and Historiography \r\n- Kingship in Medieval Islamic Iran \r\n- Social, Cultural, and Political History of the Iranian Plateau: 7th Century \u2013 Present \r\n- Islamic Law and Society \r\n- Arab-Israeli Conflict \r\n- Turkey: Culture, Power, and History \r\n- Ottoman Empire to 1800 \r\n- Women in Middle Eastern Society \r\n- Palestinian Culture and Society \r\n\r\nIslamic Studies: \r\n- The Anthropology of Religion \r\n- Readings in Classical Arab Prose \r\n- Reading in Classical Arab Poetry \r\n- Islamic Mysticism \r\n- Women in Islamic History \r\n- The Middle Eastern City and Islamic Urbanism \r\n- History of Medieval India \r\n- Classic Persian Literature in English Translation \r\n- Nationalism and Islam \r\n\r\nLinguistics of Middle Eastern Languages: \r\n- Sociolinguistics \u2013 Language and Society of the Middle East \r\n- Survey of Middle Eastern Languages \r\n- Structure of Iranian Languages \r\n- Structure of Hebrew \r\n- Arabic Dialects \r\n- Jewish Languages \r\n- Issues in Language Politics \r\n- Language and Gender \r\n- Philosophy of Language \r\n\r\nMiddle Eastern Literary Studies: \r\n- Classical Arabic Literature \r\n- Modern Arabic Literature \r\n- Classical Persian Literature \r\n- Modern Persian Literature \r\n- Modern Hebrew Literature \r\n- Modern Turkish Literature \r\n\r\nSocio-Cultural Studies of the Contemporary Middle East: \r\n- Ethnography of the Middle East: Issues and Methods \r\n- Social Theory and Middle east Studies \r\n- Economic History of the Islamic World \r\n- Islamic Movements in the Contemporary Muslim World \r\n- North African Studies: History, Culture, and Politics \r\n- Iranian Cinema, Gender Issues, and Social Change \r\n- The Literature of Identity in the Modern Middle East", "content_html": "
For the sake of example, each of the degree sections below focuses on a specific area of study, to show the kinds of courses that are usually offered at that level.
\n
Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Four Year Duration
\nBachelor\u2019s degree programs in area studies are introductory in nature. They provide students with foundational knowledge through courses in history, geography, philosophy, culture, and government and politics.
\n
Example: Asian Studies
\nSample Courses:
\n- Introduction to Contemporary Japanese Society and Culture
\n- Beyond the Middle Kingdom: Introduction to East Asian History
\n- A Passage to South Asia: Introduction to South Asian History
\n- Regional Geography of East Asia
\n- Regional Geography of South Asia
\n- Late Imperial China
\n- Japan under the Shoguns, 1600 to 1868
\n- Asian Philosophy
\n- Comparative Politics of Asia
\n- East Asian Archaeology
\n- China in the Twentieth Century: Reforms and Revolutions
\n- British India 1857 to 1947
\n- Indian Subcontinent since 1947
\n- History of Modern Japan
\n- Japanese Culture and Business
\n- Japanese Culture through Film
\n- Developing Intercultural Competencies in the 21st Century
\n- Government and Politics of India
\n- China and the West
\n- Gandhi in History
\n- Warriors of Japan: The Samurai
\n- The Vietnam War in Historical Perspective
\n- Understanding Japanese Culture through Literature
\n
Master\u2019s Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Two Year Duration
\nAt the master\u2019s level, students often choose a specialization within their specific area of study. In a European and Eurasian Studies program, this could mean specializing in subfields such as European and European Union (EU) Studies or Russian, Eurasian, and Transition Studies. The master\u2019s program\u2019s culminating requirement is normally a thesis based on original research. Some schools may offer a non-thesis major paper or coursework track.
\n
Example: European and Eurasian Studies
\nSample Courses:
\n- Ethnography of Eurasia
\n- Representations of the Holocaust
\n- Gender and Nation: Women\u2019s State in Modern Central, Eastern, and Northern European Literatures and Cultures
\n- Modern Europe: Places and Borders
\n- Contemporary Europe: Identity and Geopolitics
\n- Britain 1750 \u2013 1850
\n- Early Twentieth Century Britain
\n- Britain, 1945 \u2013 Present
\n- France since the Revolution
\n- Imperial Russian History, 1800 \u2013 1917
\n- The Soviet Union
\n- East Central Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries
\n- Nineteenth-Century Germany
\n- Twentieth-Century Germany
\n- Europe During the Reformation
\n- Europe in the 19th Century
\n- Europe, 1900 \u2013 1950
\n- Europe since 1950
\n- Politics and Culture in Europe, 1890 \u2013 1914
\n- Italian Fascism in Interdisciplinary Perspective
\n- European Politics: Selected Cases
\n- European Integration
\n
Doctoral Degree in Area Studies \u2013 Four to Six Year Duration
\nThe master\u2019s program in area studies typically involves a lot of taught courses. It emphasizes the transition from pure subject learning to independent research. On the other hand, the doctoral degree is like a very long dissertation project. Ph.D. students have the benefit of supervision from a faculty advisor and may complete some taught classes, but their focus is on independent research, on contributing original \u2013 new \u2013 knowledge to their field. The Doctoral Degree in Area Studies is aimed at those who want to teach the discipline at the university level.
\n
Example: Middle Eastern Studies
\nHere are possible concentrations and courses available to Middle Eastern Studies doctoral candidates:
\n
History:
\n- Advanced Studies in Middle Eastern History and Historiography
\n- Kingship in Medieval Islamic Iran
\n- Social, Cultural, and Political History of the Iranian Plateau: 7th Century \u2013 Present
\n- Islamic Law and Society
\n- Arab-Israeli Conflict
\n- Turkey: Culture, Power, and History
\n- Ottoman Empire to 1800
\n- Women in Middle Eastern Society
\n- Palestinian Culture and Society
\n
Islamic Studies:
\n- The Anthropology of Religion
\n- Readings in Classical Arab Prose
\n- Reading in Classical Arab Poetry
\n- Islamic Mysticism
\n- Women in Islamic History
\n- The Middle Eastern City and Islamic Urbanism
\n- History of Medieval India
\n- Classic Persian Literature in English Translation
\n- Nationalism and Islam
\n
Linguistics of Middle Eastern Languages:
\n- Sociolinguistics \u2013 Language and Society of the Middle East
\n- Survey of Middle Eastern Languages
\n- Structure of Iranian Languages
\n- Structure of Hebrew
\n- Arabic Dialects
\n- Jewish Languages
\n- Issues in Language Politics
\n- Language and Gender
\n- Philosophy of Language
\n
Middle Eastern Literary Studies:
\n- Classical Arabic Literature
\n- Modern Arabic Literature
\n- Classical Persian Literature
\n- Modern Persian Literature
\n- Modern Hebrew Literature
\n- Modern Turkish Literature
\n
Socio-Cultural Studies of the Contemporary Middle East:
\n- Ethnography of the Middle East: Issues and Methods
\n- Social Theory and Middle east Studies
\n- Economic History of the Islamic World
\n- Islamic Movements in the Contemporary Muslim World
\n- North African Studies: History, Culture, and Politics
\n- Iranian Cinema, Gender Issues, and Social Change
\n- The Literature of Identity in the Modern Middle East
", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2020-01-27T17:21:48.335946-08:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-06T11:37:30.244600-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 2093, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Area Studies", "summary_markdown": "**[Anthropology](/degrees/anthropology-degree/)** \r\nStudents of anthropology study the evolutionary history of people, how they interact, how they adapt to various environments, how they communicate and socialize with one another, and how their bodies and cultures have changed over time. The field attempts to answer big questions on many of the fundamentals of human culture, from gender to political systems to violence, religion, race, and economics. \r\n\r\n**[Ethnic Studies](/degrees/ethnic-studies-degree/)** \r\nThis is the historical, social, and cultural study of minorities in the United States. Through coursework in history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, and art history, students examine race, racism, and forms of institutionalized violence. \r\n\r\n**[Geography](/degrees/geography-degree/)** \r\nStudents of geography study the earth\u2019s surface; its climate, soil, and water; and the relationship between people and the land. Some typical courses in a geography program are cartography, climatology, geology, political geography, statistics, and spatial analysis. \r\n\r\n**[History](/degrees/history-degree/)** \r\nHistory is the study of change over time. Degree programs in the field examine political history, diplomatic/international relations history, cultural/ideological history, social/living standards history, economic history, intellectual/philosophical history, and military/armed conflict history.", "content_markdown": "**[International Business](/degrees/international-business-degree/)** \r\nStudents of international business study business from a global perspective. They learn how to work cross-culturally, how to manage multinational businesses, and how to turn local and national companies into international corporations. Coursework often includes some foreign language studies, as well. \r\n\r\n**[International Relations](/degrees/international-relations-degree/)** \r\nStudents of international relations learn about international politics and institutions and the principles of diplomacy and foreign policy. They examine interactions between governments on several levels: political, economic, cultural, and militaristic. In the current U.S. political climate, they may deliberate questions like: How has the Donald Trump presidency affected the world view of the United States? How have allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election impacted diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Russia? \r\n\r\n**[Political Science](/degrees/political-science-degree/)** \r\nPolitical science degree programs focus on the theory and practice of government and politics. \u2018Poli sci\u2019 students learn about the structures of politics and government and issues like the nature of political power, the causes of conflict, and globalization.", "content_html": "
International Business
\nStudents of international business study business from a global perspective. They learn how to work cross-culturally, how to manage multinational businesses, and how to turn local and national companies into international corporations. Coursework often includes some foreign language studies, as well.
\n
International Relations
\nStudents of international relations learn about international politics and institutions and the principles of diplomacy and foreign policy. They examine interactions between governments on several levels: political, economic, cultural, and militaristic. In the current U.S. political climate, they may deliberate questions like: How has the Donald Trump presidency affected the world view of the United States? How have allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election impacted diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Russia?
\n
Political Science
\nPolitical science degree programs focus on the theory and practice of government and politics. \u2018Poli sci\u2019 students learn about the structures of politics and government and issues like the nature of political power, the causes of conflict, and globalization.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2020-01-27T17:21:48.339925-08:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-06T11:38:44.791461-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 2093, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "In addition to providing students with an understanding of different regions and cultures of the world, the coursework in area studies degree programs develops several transferable skills: \r\n\r\n- A Multidisciplinary Approach \u2013 the study of an area or areas of the world demands the capacity to combine various disciplines and approaches to understand situations, conditions, and issues \r\n- Analytical, Critical Thinking, and Problem-Solving \r\n- Collaboration / Group Work Dynamics \r\n- Cross-Cultural Appreciation \u2013 appreciation for different political values and cultural expectations facilitates negotiation and collaboration \r\n- Oral and Written Communication and Presentation \u2013 knowing how to convey information to different kinds of audiences \r\n- Planning \r\n- Research, Data Collection, and Interpretation \r\n- Statistical and Computing Skills", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2020-01-27T17:21:48.343814-08:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-29T14:53:04.104841-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 2093, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with an Area Studies Degree?", "summary_markdown": "An area studies degree can lay the foundation for employment in an array of sectors. However, entering some of the career fields listed below may require additional education or specialized training. \r\n\r\n**Education / Librarianship** \r\nWhile true \u2018area studies\u2019 is generally taught only at the college and university level, graduates in the field may also find positions as librarians or as teachers of history, social studies, or civics courses at the elementary and secondary school levels. Depending on the school system, teacher certification may also be required. \r\n \r\n**Foreign Service / Diplomacy** \r\nPotential US Foreign Service roles for area studies graduates include consular officers, economic officers, management officers, political officers, and public diplomacy officers. An ambassadorship is the highest level of diplomatic/foreign service. \r\n\r\n**Government / Politics** \r\nGovernment officials and legislators work at various levels of government to pass laws. They can face a vast variety of issues and problems. And while it is difficult to imagine the best way to prepare for such a job, a degree in area studies provides a solid foundation in the fundamental skills needed. \r\n\r\n**Intelligence** \r\nIntelligence specialists work for the various branches of the military, national security departments, and national government agencies. They collect and analyze intelligence data such as mission reports, maps, and charts. \r\n\r\n**International Business and Consulting** \r\nIt is not uncommon for area studies majors to end up working in the international business / and consulting world. Many sectors \u2013 banking, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, and human resources \u2013 appreciate the level of understanding of topics like geography, economics, politics, and cultural diversity that area studies graduates bring to the table. International consulting firms conduct research for clients on a wide range of topics and regions.", "content_markdown": "**International Law** \r\nAn understanding of and an appreciation for cultural diversity and different government political systems may lead area studies graduates to a career in the legal field. \r\n\r\n**Journalism / Media** \r\nThe subject matter covered in area studies programs lays a solid foundation for a potential career as a foreign / international news correspondent. \r\n\r\n**Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profits for International Aid and Development** \r\nSpecialist expertise in a particular region of the world and/or set of issues may qualify area studies graduates for roles with organizations, such as the Peace Corps, Oxfam International, World Vision International, Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity International, and WaterAid. \r\n\r\n**Political Science** \r\nPolitical scientists study political systems, how they came to be, how they grew, and how they work. They strive to identify trends, survey political opinions, and analyze election polls and elections. The field of area studies, which includes politics and political history, can be a stepping stone to working in this field.", "content_html": "
International Law
\nAn understanding of and an appreciation for cultural diversity and different government political systems may lead area studies graduates to a career in the legal field.
\n
Journalism / Media
\nThe subject matter covered in area studies programs lays a solid foundation for a potential career as a foreign / international news correspondent.
\n
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profits for International Aid and Development
\nSpecialist expertise in a particular region of the world and/or set of issues may qualify area studies graduates for roles with organizations, such as the Peace Corps, Oxfam International, World Vision International, Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity International, and WaterAid.
\n
Political Science
\nPolitical scientists study political systems, how they came to be, how they grew, and how they work. They strive to identify trends, survey political opinions, and analyze election polls and elections. The field of area studies, which includes politics and political history, can be a stepping stone to working in this field.
", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2020-01-27T17:21:48.347699-08:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-06T11:41:18.882959-08:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
