2008 Woodie Awards
Asian studies expands to major
Charles Wester '08
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
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Thanks to a $1 million gift from a Saint Joseph's University alumnus, the Asian Studies Program will expand to include a major, two new tenure-track faculty members, increased travel and study abroad opportunities, and more on-campus programming.
The expanded program, which will begin in the 2008-2009 academic year and will complement the current Asian Studies minor offering, was made possible by a $1 million gift from Bernadette P. and James J. Nealis, '69.
Mr. Nealis, retired Vice President for Human Resources at Lafarge North America, announced his contribution to the University last fall, but left development of the new program to current Asian Studies faculty members.
David Carpenter, Ph.D., Director of Asian Studies, Ian Petrie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History, and James Carter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, have assembled a description for the Asian Studies major, which promotes "understanding Asian cultures on their own terms through an emphasis on language study, immersion experiences, and the study of core cultural values."
In addition to intermediate competency in an Asian language, Asian Studies majors will be required to take two foundational history courses, seven Asian Studies electives, and one Asian Studies senior seminar. All Asian Studies majors will also be expected to spend at least one term in an Asia-based study abroad program.
"This is an expensive proposition," admitted Carpenter, referring to sending students to study in Asia. But Nealis' grant is designed to assist Saint Joseph's students finance their term abroad.
"A significant portion of the program's annual operating budget will support students studying in Asia," Carpenter added.
To support the expanded class offerings, Saint Joseph's will acquire two new tenure-track Asian Studies professors, one in 2008 and the other in 2009. Next fall, a political scientist specializing in Japanese politics will join the Asian Studies Program.
The expanded program, which will begin in the 2008-2009 academic year and will complement the current Asian Studies minor offering, was made possible by a $1 million gift from Bernadette P. and James J. Nealis, '69.
Mr. Nealis, retired Vice President for Human Resources at Lafarge North America, announced his contribution to the University last fall, but left development of the new program to current Asian Studies faculty members.
David Carpenter, Ph.D., Director of Asian Studies, Ian Petrie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History, and James Carter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, have assembled a description for the Asian Studies major, which promotes "understanding Asian cultures on their own terms through an emphasis on language study, immersion experiences, and the study of core cultural values."
In addition to intermediate competency in an Asian language, Asian Studies majors will be required to take two foundational history courses, seven Asian Studies electives, and one Asian Studies senior seminar. All Asian Studies majors will also be expected to spend at least one term in an Asia-based study abroad program.
"This is an expensive proposition," admitted Carpenter, referring to sending students to study in Asia. But Nealis' grant is designed to assist Saint Joseph's students finance their term abroad.
"A significant portion of the program's annual operating budget will support students studying in Asia," Carpenter added.
To support the expanded class offerings, Saint Joseph's will acquire two new tenure-track Asian Studies professors, one in 2008 and the other in 2009. Next fall, a political scientist specializing in Japanese politics will join the Asian Studies Program.
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