Asian Studies Major and Minor

Explore Asia through the lenses of anthropology, gender studies, history, language and literature, sociology, religious studies, political science, music, visual and performing arts, and more.

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Skidmore boasts one of the longest-standing Asian studies programs in the US, and our Asian Studies Program Endowment Fund is dedicated to supporting student learning through visiting scholar residencies, collaborative faculty-student research, independent projects, symposia, and travel.

A legacy of support for Asian Studies

In 2024, Skidmore Life Trustee Oscar Tang, husband of the late Frances Young Tang ’61, father of Kristin Tang ’92, and president of The Tang Fund, continued his family’s legacy of transformational giving to the College with a gift to establish the Frances Young Tang ’61 Professorship in Economics and Asian Studies. The Tang Fund also furthered support for the existing Tang Family Chinese Studies Endowment Fund and established the Frances Young Tang ’61 Asian Studies Program Endowment Fund.

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What will you learn?

The Asian studies major and minor introduce students to the diverse cultures and people of Asia. Students complete a combination of foundational courses, language classes, and electives, with the option to study abroad.

Where will you go?

Our graduates go on to intellectually rigorous and socially engaged careers. Leverage your cultural and linguistic training to pursue advanced study and careers in humanities, law, intercultural dialogue, public service, and more.

Career paths	Recent internships	Graduate schools and programs
Global healthcare worker Filmmaker Financial consultant Foreign service worker Journalist Marketing/sales strategist Museum curator Policy analyst Researcher	American Enterprise Institute Asia Society (NYC and DC) Asian American Arts Alliance Brookings Institution Council on Foreign Relations FLEX Shanghai Korea Economic Institute Rubin Museum of Art Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center US-Asia Institute	Columbia University Georgetown School of Foreign Service Hong Kong University New York University University of Chicago University of Massachusetts University of Southern California

A student stands on campus in autumn, with colorful trees, a grassy lawn, and a city skyline in the background.

Runways and livestreams

Working alongside Xiaoshuo Hou, professor of sociology and Asian studies and chair of the Sociology Department, Weiqi Tao ’26 was able to research the rise of new Chinese fashion and the influence of emerging digital platforms.

Read Weiqi's story

Study abroad

Experience other cultures and engage with people from across the globe. With programs spanning across Japan, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand, finding the right fit is easy.

Find a program

A guest musician performs on a traditional stringed instrument while singing into a microphone during a campus cultural program, with artwork displayed behind the performer.

Experience Asian culture on campus

From lectures on history and modern-day issues to art exhibitions and musical performances, Skidmore students have a wide variety of opportunities to engage with Asian studies outside the classroom.

Faculty

Creative, thoughtful, and in your corner.

Meet your professors

Contact The Frances Young Tang '61 Program in Asian Studies

Office

Bolton 278
Phone: 518-580-5287

Chair

Joowon Park
Associate Professor of Anthropology
park@skidmore.edu

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Lewis
jlewis@skidmore.edu