The 21st century has been called the “Asian Century”: indeed, many of the world's most pressing issues cannot be understood without a grasp of the histories, cultures, and languages of Asia. Asia is home to over half of the world's population. China, Japan, and India are three of the world’s top economies. For decades Asian countries have been leaders in global manufacturing, and Asian universities are renowned centers for literary studies and scientific innovation. Fifty percent of the declared nuclear-weapon states are also in the region. Simply put, Asia matters a great deal.
The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers a wide variety of courses on East, South, and Southeast Asia taught by faculty who are specialists in their regions and disciplines. Whether you are taking your first step toward learning about Asia or you bring some background experience, an Asian Languages and Cultures major will expand your ability to think and work across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Students may opt to study Asia in a transnational and transhistorical perspective or in a more focused course of study by choosing one of our named options in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
To take advantage of the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures’ many relationships with other departments and program units across campus, students may choose to double major or enhance their studies in Asian Languages and Cultures with one of the certificates offered at the university, such as the Certificate in Global Health, the Certificate in Health and the Humanities, or those offered by the area studies centers.
This major is interdisciplinary and offers a wealth of options. Careful planning and consultation with the Asian Languages and Cultures undergraduate advisor is especially important.
East Asia
The East Asian Studies named option offers a multidisciplinary range of courses that explore the diverse and vibrant cultures, arts, histories, political systems, and literatures of China, Japan, Korea and Tibet. Students in the East Asian option can study Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan language and linguistics; and explore Chinese ghost stories and classical Chinese literature or poetry; Korean cinema and pop culture; classical Japanese fiction; early modern comedic narratives, manga, anime, and counterculture.
South Asia
The South Asian Studies named option offers a multidisciplinary range of courses that explore the diverse and vibrant cultures, arts, histories, political systems, and literatures of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. Students in the South Asian option can study Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Tibetan, or Urdu language; the roots of Yoga; methods of Buddhist philosophy and meditation; South Asian religion and politics in the past and present of the Indian subcontinent; and medical history in South Asia.
Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asian Studies named option offers a multidisciplinary range of courses that explore the diverse and vibrant cultures, arts, histories, political systems, and literatures of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Students in the Southeast Asian option can study Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese language; Human rights in Thailand; literature of the region; and history and politics in Southeast Asia.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
The Asian Languages and Cultures major has three named options. Students who intend to declare a named option may not be declared in a certificate program focused on the same region. Students may not combine the following programs:
- East Asian Studies named option and the Certificate in East Asian Studies
- South Asian Studies named option and the Certificate in South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies named option and the Certificate in Southeast Asian Studies
Placement Exam
The Asian Languages and Cultures department offers placement exams for students with prior language study or experience as a speaker of Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Thai, Tibetan, Urdu, and Vietnamese. For more information, see the department’s website.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | the third unit of a language other than English |
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students must take 32 credits as follows: 1
Gateway Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required course: | ||
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
Required Language Courses
Complete Third and Fourth Semester language courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| East Asian languages | ||
| ASIALANG 201 & ASIALANG 202 | Third Semester Chinese and Fourth Semester Chinese | 8 |
| ASIALANG 203 & ASIALANG 204 | Third Semester Japanese and Fourth Semester Japanese | 8 |
| ASIALANG 205 & ASIALANG 206 | Third Semester Korean and Fourth Semester Korean | 8 |
| South Asian languages | ||
| ASIALANG 233 & ASIALANG 234 | Third Semester Hindi and Fourth Semester Hindi | 8 |
| ASIALANG 237 & ASIALANG 238 | Third Semester Persian and Fourth Semester Persian | 8 |
| ASIALANG 235 & ASIALANG 236 | Third Semester Modern Tibetan and Fourth Semester Modern Tibetan | 8 |
| ASIALANG 239 & ASIALANG 240 | Third Semester Urdu and Fourth Semester Urdu | 8 |
| ASIALANG 241 & ASIALANG 242 | Third Semester Sanskrit and Fourth Semester Sanskrit | 8 |
| Southeast Asian languages | ||
| ASIALANG 229 & ASIALANG 230 | Third Semester Thai and Fourth Semester Thai | 8 |
| ASIALANG 223 & ASIALANG 224 | Third Semester Filipino and Fourth Semester Filipino | 8 |
| ASIALANG 225 & ASIALANG 226 | Third Semester Hmong and Fourth Semester Hmong | 8 |
| ASIALANG 227 & ASIALANG 228 | Third Semester Indonesian and Fourth Semester Indonesian | 8 |
| ASIALANG 231 & ASIALANG 232 | Third Semester Vietnamese and Fourth Semester Vietnamese | 8 |
East Asian Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two courses from the following options (at least 6 credits): | ||
| ASIAN/HISTORY 103 | Introduction to East Asian History: China | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 104 | Introduction to East Asian History: Japan | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 108 | Introduction to East Asian History - Korea | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 253 | Japanese Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN 254 | Korean Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 301 | Social Science Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN/SOC 334 | Gender, Work, and Family in East Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 335 | The Koreas: Korean War to the 21st Century | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/SOC 336 | Social Change in Contemporary South Korea | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 337 | Social and Intellectual History of China, 589 AD-1919 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 340 | Study Abroad in Korean Topics | 1-6 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 341 | History of Modern China, 1800-1949 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 342 | History of the Peoples Republic of China, 1949 to the Present | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 351 | Survey of Classical Chinese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 352 | Survey of Modern Chinese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 353 | Lovers, Warriors and Monks: Survey of Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 354 | Early Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 355 | Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 357 | Japanese Ghost Stories | 3 |
| ASIAN 358 | Language in Japanese Society | 3 |
| ASIAN 361 | Love and Politics: The Tale of Genji | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 363 | China and World War II in Asia | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 367 | Haiku | 3 |
| ASIAN 371 | Topics in Chinese Literature | 2-3 |
| ASIAN 372 | Study Abroad in Chinese Topics | 1-6 |
| ASIAN 373 | Study Abroad in Japanese Topics | 1-6 |
| ASIAN 374 | Korean Cinema | 3 |
| ASIAN 375 | Survey of Chinese Film | 3 |
| ASIAN 376 | Manga | 3 |
| ASIAN 378 | Anime | 3 |
| ASIAN 432 | Introduction to Chinese Linguistics | 3 |
| ASIAN 433 | Topics in East Asian Visual Cultures | 3 |
| ASIAN 434 | Introduction to Japanese Linguistics | 3 |
| ASIAN 435 | Teaching of Japanese | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 454 | Samurai: History and Image | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 456 | Pearl Harbor & Hiroshima: Japan, the US & The Crisis in Asia | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 357 | Introduction to the Anthropology of Japan | 3-4 |
| ART HIST 307 | From Tomb to Temple: Ancient Chinese Art and Religion in Transition | 3 |
| ART HIST 308 | The Tastes of Scholars and Emperors: Chinese Art in the Later Periods | 3 |
| ECON 350 | The Chinese Economy | 3 |
| ED POL 245 | Education in East Asia | 3 |
| HISTORY 145 | America and China, 1776-Today | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/INTL ST 332 | East Asia & The U.S. Since 1899 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN 335 | The Koreas: Korean War to the 21st Century | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 336 | Chinese Economic and Business History: From Silk to iPhones | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 340 | Cultural History of Korea | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 231 | Manga | 3 |
| LITTRANS 232 | Anime | 3 |
| LITTRANS 261 | Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 263 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 264 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 373 | Topics in Japanese Literature | 3 |
| POLI SCI 324 | Chinese Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 328 | Politics of East and Southeast Asia | 3-4 |
South Asian Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two courses from the following options (at least 6 credits): | ||
| ASIAN/ART HIST 179 | Passage Through India: South Asia's Global Architectural Histories | 3 |
| ASIAN 205 | Animal Ethics in Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 206 | The Qur'an: Religious Scripture & Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN/LITTRANS 212 | Classical South Asian Literatures | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 218 | History of Medicine in South Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN 252 | Contemporary Indian Society | 3 |
| ASIAN 268 | Tibetan Cultures and Traditions | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 274 | Religion in South Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 303 | Jainism: Religion and Culture of Nonviolence | 3 |
| ASIAN/ANTHRO 305 | Anthropology of South Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 306 | Hinduism | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 307 | A Survey of Tibetan Buddhism | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/RELIG ST 308 | Introduction to Buddhism | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/AFRICAN/RELIG ST 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/ART HIST 379 | Cities of Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 405 | Gods and Goddesses of South Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/ART HIST 428 | Visual Cultures of India | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 430 | Indian Traditions in the Modern Age | 3 |
| ASIAN/COM ARTS 443 | Indian Cinema in the U.S. and Beyond | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 444 | Introduction to Sufism (Islamic Mysticism) | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 460 | The History of Yoga | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 466 | Buddhist Thought | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 473 | Meditation in Indian Buddhism and Hinduism | 3 |
| ASIAN/ENGL 478 | Indian Writers Abroad: Literature, Diaspora and Globalization | 3 |
| ART HIST 305 | History of Islamic Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ART HIST/RELIG ST 373 | Mecca, Cairo, Istanbul, Delhi: Great Cities of Islam | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN 478 | Indian Writers Abroad: Literature, Diaspora and Globalization | 3 |
| ENGL/THEATRE 577 | Postcolonial Theatre: Drama, Theory and Performance in the Global South | 3 |
| HISTORY 142 | History of South Asia to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/GNS 265 | An Introduction to Central Asia: From the Silk Route to Afghanistan | 3 |
| HISTORY 450 | Making of Modern South Asia | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 370 | Islam and Politics | 3-4 |
Southeast Asian Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two courses from the following options (at least 6 credits): | ||
| ASIAN/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 244 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | 4 |
| ASIAN/ASIAN AM/HISTORY 246 | Southeast Asian Refugees of the "Cold" War | 4 |
| ASIAN/AFRICAN/RELIG ST 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 403 | Southeast Asian Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 458 | History of Southeast Asia Since 1800 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM 170 | Hmong American Experiences in the United States | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 441 | Hmong American Social Movements in the 20th and 21st Centuries | 3 |
| GEOG 358 | Human Geography of Southeast Asia | 3 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST 557 | Development and Environment in Southeast Asia | 3 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN 319 | The Vietnam Wars | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN 458 | History of Southeast Asia Since 1800 | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 323 | Islam and World Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 328 | Politics of East and Southeast Asia | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 370 | Islam and Politics | 3-4 |
Capstone Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one course (at least 3 credits): | ||
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 505 | The Perfectible Body in Religions, Medicines, and Politics | 3 |
| ASIAN 600 | Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities | 3 |
| ASIAN/ART HIST 621 | Mapping, Making, and Representing Colonial Spaces | 3 |
| ASIAN 630 | Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 650 | Proseminar in Buddhist Thought | 2-3 |
| ASIAN 655 | Ethnography in Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN 682 | Senior Honors Thesis (must be enrolled in Honors in the Major) | 3 |
| ASIAN 692 | Senior Thesis (must have permission from faculty) | 3 |
| ASIAN 699 | Directed Study (must have permission from faculty) | 3 |
Named Options
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all ASIAN, ASIALANG, and approved courses for the major
- 2.000 GPA in 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence2
- 15 credits in the major, taken in residence
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the Asian Languages & Cultures undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 for all courses accepted in the major
- Complete the following coursework, with a grade of B or better:
- ASIAN 699 or any course from the list below when taken for at least 3 credits. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681 .
Course List Code Title Credits ASIAN/RELIG ST 505 The Perfectible Body in Religions, Medicines, and Politics 3 ASIAN 533 Readings in Early Modern Japanese Literature 3 ASIAN 563 Readings in Modern Japanese Literature 3 ASIAN 573 Readings in Classical Japanese Literature 3 ASIAN 600 Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities 3 ASIAN/ART HIST 621 Mapping, Making, and Representing Colonial Spaces 3 ASIAN 630 Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia 3 ASIAN 631 History of the Chinese Language 3 ASIAN 632 Studies in Chinese Linguistics 3 ASIAN 633 Chinese Applied Linguistics 3 ASIAN 641 History of Chinese Literature I 3 ASIAN 642 History of Chinese Literature II 3 ASIAN/RELIG ST 650 Proseminar in Buddhist Thought 2-3 ASIAN 655 Ethnography in Asia 3 ASIAN 672 Studies in Chinese Fiction 3 - A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in ASIAN 681 and ASIAN 682 , for a total of 6 credits.
- ASIAN 699 or any course from the list below when taken for at least 3 credits. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681 .
Footnotes
- 1
Students who test above 4th semester language must still complete a minimum of 32 credits in the major. These students may complete another language sequence or other coursework as approved by the advisor.
- 2
Intermediate and Advanced level major courses are upper-level.
Learning Outcomes
- Broad regional grounding: Understand the variation within and similarities across Asia with reference to historical and contemporary cultural connections (people, societies, languages, literatures, religions, and cultural genres).
- Multidisciplinarity: Become familiar and proficient with multiple perspectives scholars use to study Asia and use them as resources in their own self-reflective thinking.
- Depth of knowledge: Employ relevant theoretical and methodological approaches to arrive at informed understandings of key issues involving the environment, human rights, cultural practices, structures of power, etc. based on an understanding of the social and cultural ties within Asia as well as between Asia and the rest of the globe.
- Analytical skills: Critically examine taken-for-granted notions and stereotypes and to inquire into the process of their construction. They will also be able to read, analyze and explain the significance of Asian texts and artifacts (literary, cultural, historical, and popular culture).
- Language and cultural competence: Manage basic everyday communication needs in at least one Asian language; understand the relationship between language and culture; and understand how to study a new language and culture and how to advance their proficiency as life-long learners.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A | 4 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 4 |
| Language Course | 4 | Biological Science Breadth | 4 |
| ASIAN 100 (Required Introductory Course) | 4 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN/COUN PSY/ED PSYCH/PSYCH 120 | 3 | Language Course | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 4 | Science Breadth | 4 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 3 | Communication B | 3 |
| Language Course | 4 | Language Course | 4 |
| South Asian Studies Course | 3 | Southeast Asian Studies Course | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | INTL ST 275 | 1 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Literature Breadth | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | South Asian Studies Course | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 4 | Southeast Asian Studies Course | 3 |
| East Asian Studies Course | 3 | Directed Study (optional, may be required for Honors in the Major) | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | INTER-LS 215 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| East Asian Studies Course | 3 | Asian Studies Capstone Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | ASIAN 682 or 692 (Optional) | 3 |
| Advanced Language Course (Optional) | 3 | Electives | 8 |
| ASIAN 681 or 691 (Optional) | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Program
Please follow the process described on the Asian Languages and Cultures website.
Advising
Seeing your advisor is very important for choosing courses that fit your interests and graduating on schedule. Many students also try to complete more than one major or certificate, and discussing how you might be able to reach this goal is another primary role of your major advisor. Advisors can speak to you about course content, which courses fit best with your interest areas, and what kinds of courses might work best with your learning style. Any and all of these discussions can occur during your advising appointment.
The advisor is happy to meet with students as they explore the degree options, prepare for study abroad, or advance through their four-year plans. Schedule an appointment in Starfish.
Exploring Classes before Declaring
Students interested in the Asian Languages and Culture major can start exploring through any of these courses, or focus on courses that introduce one of the major’s three named options. The courses in these lists are open to first-year/freshmen students and have no prerequisites.
Students may declare the Asian Languages and Cultures major at any time. Those students who have studied an Asian language prior to coming to UW–Madison will have to take a placement test for a language offered during the academic year to determine the best class to enroll in on campus.
Interested in the East Asian Studies named option for this major? Try these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 103 | Introduction to East Asian History: China | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 104 | Introduction to East Asian History: Japan | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 108 | Introduction to East Asian History - Korea | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 205 | Animal Ethics in Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 | Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters | 3 |
| ASIAN 253 | Japanese Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN 254 | Korean Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 268 | Tibetan Cultures and Traditions | 3 |
| LITTRANS 231 | Manga | 3 |
| LITTRANS 232 | Anime | 3 |
| LITTRANS 261 | Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 263 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 264 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 373 | Topics in Japanese Literature | 3 |
| The language courses below are open to first-year/freshman students and have no prerequisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 101 | First Semester Chinese | 4 |
| ASIALANG 103 | First Semester Japanese | 4 |
| ASIALANG 105 | First Semester Korean | 4 |
Interested in the South Asian Studies named option for this major? Try these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/ART HIST 179 | Passage Through India: South Asia's Global Architectural Histories | 3 |
| ASIAN 205 | Animal Ethics in Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 206 | The Qur'an: Religious Scripture & Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN/LITTRANS 212 | Classical South Asian Literatures | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 218 | History of Medicine in South Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 | Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters | 3 |
| ASIAN 252 | Contemporary Indian Society | 3 |
| ASIAN 268 | Tibetan Cultures and Traditions | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 274 | Religion in South Asia | 3 |
| The language courses below are open to first-year/freshman students and have no prerequisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 133 | First Semester Hindi | 4 |
| ASIALANG 135 | First Semester Modern Tibetan | 4 |
| ASIALANG 137 | First Semester Persian | 4 |
Interested in the Southest Asian Studies named option for this major? Try these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 205 | Animal Ethics in Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 206 | The Qur'an: Religious Scripture & Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 | Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters | 3 |
| ASIAN/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 244 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | 4 |
| ASIAN/ASIAN AM/HISTORY 246 | Southeast Asian Refugees of the "Cold" War | 4 |
| The language courses below are open to first-year/freshman students and have no prerequisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 125 | First Semester Hmong | 4 |
| ASIALANG 127 | First Semester Indonesian | 4 |
| ASIALANG 129 | First Semester Thai | 4 |
| ASIALANG 131 | First Semester Vietnamese | 4 |
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Resources and Scholarships
Campus Resources
Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
FLAS fellowships are funded by the US Department of Education and administered by UW–Madison's National Resource Centers to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies. FLAS awards are only available for specific languages and are contingent on federal funding. Please direct any questions to the FLAS Coordinator of your chosen language.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applications by students in professional fields are encouraged. Preference will be given to applicants with a high level of academic ability and with previous language training. Academic Year and Summer FLAS awards are two separate competitions requiring two separate and complete applications.
Wisconsin Scholarship Hub
This is the primary campus-wide portal for applicants, current students, and everyone looking for scholarship opportunities on campus.
Undergraduate Academic Awards Office
We help UW–Madison undergraduates and recent graduates pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service, and leadership—activities at the heart of the Wisconsin Experience. We can help you:
- Find scholarship opportunities that match your goals and interests
- Navigate the scholarship application process
- Review scholarship essays
- Prepare for national scholarship interviews
Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss which opportunities are right for you.
National Scholarships
Boren Scholarships
Campus Representative: Undergraduates with questions should contact Matt Geisler, Associate Director of International Academic Programs
These scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. (Full list of preferred countries) Additionally, all programs must include formal study of an appropriate foreign language. (Full list of preferred languages). Undergraduates with questions about the Boren Scholarship should contact Matt Geisler, Associate Director of International Academic Programs.
Critical Language Scholarship Program
Campus Representative: Mark Lilleleht, Assistant Director for Awards, at awards@iris.wisc.edu
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is part of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a fully-funded overseas intensive language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and building relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, CLS provides opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning.
The fourteen CLS languages are: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.
The CLS Program seeks participants with diverse interests, from a wide variety of fields of study, backgrounds, and career paths, with the purpose of representing the full diversity of the United States. Thus, students from all academic disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts and humanities, are encouraged to apply.
Gilman Scholarship Program
Campus Representative: Andy Quackenbush, Advisor, International Academic Programs
The Gilman Scholarship Program is an undergraduate grant program for U.S. citizens of limited financial means to enable them to study abroad, thereby internationalizing their outlook and better preparing them to assume significant roles in the increasingly global economy.
Wisconsin Summer Language Institutes
Each summer around 200 undergraduate students, graduate students, professionals, and others come to UW–Madison to study a language at the Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI). These programs offer high-quality courses in 30 less-commonly taught languages:
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Language Institute (MEDLI)
Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI)
South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI)
Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI)
Summer Intensive Portuguese Institute (SIPI)
Undergraduate Research
Students are encouraged to become engaged in undergraduate research. There are numerous programs that provide research opportunities for undergraduates at UW–Madison, including: