The Asian and Asian American Studies program provides undergraduates in any college within Lehigh an opportunity to acquire a systematic knowledge of Asia. Study the dynamic and rich shared and individual cultural heritages of Asian societies. Understand their impact on the past, present, and future world. A wide range of courses provides students the tools to negotiate our modern global society.
The core program focuses on three Asian cultural regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The program explores the histories, languages, religions, societies, politics, literature, and media as they impact Asian societies, the world at large, and the United States. Students are encouraged to expand their own experiences of Asia through the many Study Abroad opportunities. Courses offered at other LVAIC institutions and approved in the Study Abroad Programs may be taken for credit by Lehigh students. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities that are offered in Asian and Asian American Studies, such as special lectures and seminars, films, performances, and exhibits.
The overall program is administered by the Asian and Asian American Studies Program Faculty, an interdisciplinary body of faculty with experience in the region. The Program Faculty oversees both the formal academic work within the program as well as the extracurricular activities sponsored at the university. It also cooperates with the Asian Cultural Society and other campus organizations involved in aspects of Asian and Asian American Studies.