UH Manoa Asian Studies Department

10/05/2026

Over the summer, MAAS student Iroha Mochida conducted fieldwork in the island of Amami Oshima to observe the singing and dancing tradition known as Hachigatsu-odori and collect local resources.

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

In Asian Studies, you will learn how to read effectively and write well. You will develop strong analytical thinking skills, and learn how to approach issues from a variety of perspectives. These skills are useful in every major and every career. This makes Asian Studies a great major, and an excellent minor for students majoring in other fields like history, business, architecture, or engineering.

Both majors and minors.....may choose to focus on one country or region, such as China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, or South Asia, or take a comparative thematic approach..will get to learn from established, senior faculty members who teach both our core courses and many of our electives..will work with our dedicated student adviser to create a course of study that will get you where you want to go.

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

10/02/2026

Join the Center for Okinawan Studies for the first installment of a film series entitled Okinawa Through a Transnational Lens. The series features a variety of "transnational" films featuring Okinawa and/or Okinawans. The first film to be screened is Here Lies Our Tempest (この島に嵐は眠る). The screening will be followed by a brief commentary from Professor Derrick Higgenbotham of the UHM English Department and a Q&A/discussion.

When: Wednesday, October 7th, 6:30-8:30pm HST
Where: HIG 110

Find More Info Here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/events/film-series-okinawa-through-a-transnational-lens-here-lies-our-tempest.php

10/02/2026

How to Major in Asian Studies:

Step One: Take Your Core Courses (5 classes, 15 credits)
ASAN 201—Intro to Asian Studies: East Asia
ASAN 202—Intro to Asian Studies: South & Southeast Asia
ASAN 310—Studying Asia Culturally
ASAN 312—Contemporary Asia
ASAN 3###—One other ASAN course at the 300-level or above

Step Two: Learn Your Language
Fulfill the university's language requirement by completing second-year (level 202) Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Ilokano, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Pali, Sanskrit, Thai, Vietnamese, or Urdu. Or take advantage of UHM's Study Abroad or Manoa International Exchange programs during the summer or semester to study your language in-country!
If you already speak an Asian language, you can test out of this requirement.

Step Three: Choose Your Electives (15 credits)
Once you've taken your core courses, you'll have the freedom to tailor your major to your own interests and career goals.
Choose from a list of over 250 acceptable Asia-related courses offered in disciplines such as anthropology, art, business, dance, economics, film studies, geography, history, linguistics, literature and cultural studies, music, philosophy, political science, religion, sociology, and urban & regional planning.
Asian Studies majors may choose to undertake a capstone project in their final year, although it's not required.
You'd develop a project in consultation with an Asian Studies faculty mentor, and you'd be encouraged to work with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, which provides funding for travel, research and creative projects.

To learn more, visit our website at: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/academic-programs/undergraduate/

10/01/2026

The 21st Century will be the Asian Century
The politics, cultures, and economies of Asia will play important roles as people around the globe cooperate to address common challenges and opportunities.
Follow along this month as we share info about our programs and how to join our department!

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

09/29/2026

Turn your passion into a career!

What EMPLOYERS want:
Bloomberg lists six of the top skills employers look for in college graduates:
I. Communication (oral & written) skills
2. Critical & analytical thinking
3. Teamwork & collaboration
4. Creative problem- solving
5. Leadership skills
6. Technical mastery of a particular field

What you will get in ASIAN STUDIES:
I. Communication skills to outline, organize and write papers and present them to a group
2. Analytical skills to frame issues from different perspectives
3. Experience collaborating with others in English or another language
4. Research skills to find, evaluate, and synthesize sources of information
5. Appreciation of the importance of a global mindset
6. An understanding of the interrelationship of economics, politics, literature, religion, arts and history of one or more Asian countries, and intermediate college level fluency in an Asian language

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

09/28/2026

Study Abroad in Asian Studies
Since spending time in Asia is the best way to learn about Asia, we encourage you to study abroad. You can apply for funding through our department or one of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies area centers.

Since learning a language can give you insights into a culture that you can't get any other way—and since knowing an Asian language can give you a real advantage in the job market—study of an Asian language is required for our degrees.

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

09/25/2026

The Department of Comparative Literature at Tulane University invites applications for a tenure-line position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek a comparatist specializing in Asian Studies who works across languages, literatures, or media. Additional areas of interest include (but are not limited to) Global Asias, Transpacific or Indian Ocean Studies, gender and sexuality studies, science and technology studies, and the history of the book. The application deadline is November 2, 2026.

For details:
https://tulane-ibqejb.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/1974?utm_medium=jobboard&utm_source=linkedin

09/21/2026

This month, Professor Jayson Chun was interviewed and quoted in an Economist article on Chiikawa, the Japanese pop culture phenomenon behind this year's blockbuster anime film. The article, "Chiikawa, star of a Japanese blockbuster, appeals in anxious times," draws on Dr. Chun's expertise in transnational Asian popular culture. The Economist's social media post about the piece has reached over 7.3 million views, with 27K likes and 8.8K retweets.
Check out the article here: https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/09/10/chiikawa-star-of-a-japanese-blockbuster-appeals-in-anxious-times