In an increasingly interconnected world, the Asian Studies minor empowers you with knowledge that broadens your perspective and prepares you for a career in business, academia, or beyond.
Why Study Asian Culture, History, and Language at UNC Asheville?
Learn Mandarin
Learning a second language makes you a competitive candidate in the job market. In the Asian Studies program, whether you are a beginner or seeking to enhance your proficiency, our courses lay a solid linguistic foundation. You learn essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and basic conversational skills, as well as written characters, all while guided by our resident expert and Asian Studies program director, Jinhua Li.
Outside the Classroom
Here, your education expands beyond the classroom. As you deepen your knowledge and appreciation for Asian culture, stories, and perspectives, you engage in hands-on learning opportunities across campus through student clubs and events and lecture series.
Join Student Organizations
Asian Students in Asheville (A.S.I.A.), an organization that represents the increasing population of Asian/Asian-American and Pacific Islander students at UNC Asheville, promotes awareness through social, cultural, and educational events. This student-led group helps Asian/Asian-American students in their academic and social lives, working to enrich the campus through a variety of programs and activities.
Participate in Campus Events
A hub for innovation and action, UNC Asheville regularly invites guest speakers to campus to engage us in discussion on some of the most pressing topics related to academic, social, and political issues. These experiences contextualize what you learn in the classroom and build cross-disciplinary connections.
Faculty
Our faculty encourages you to reach your full potential and explore your interests in whatever exciting direction they may take you. Bringing expertise and experience to the classroom, they aim to make your time at UNC Asheville meaningful and impactful so you can do great things in the world.
Amanda Wray, Ph.D.
Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
| Office: 213 Karpen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6412 |
| Email: awray1@unca.edu |
Renuka Gusain, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary; International Studies and Humanities; HUM 214 Coordinator; CTL Faculty Fellow, 2021-24
| Office: 214 Zeis Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-3952 |
| Email: rgusain@unca.edu |
Trey Adcock, Ph.D.
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ, Cherokee Nation; Associate Professor, Director of American Indian & Indigenous Studies; International Studies
| Office: 214 Zeis Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6961 |
| Email: ladcock1@unca.edu |
Laura Bond, M.F.A.
Professor of Drama & Interdisciplinary Studies
| Office: 120 Whitesides Hall |
| Phone: (828) 232-2992 |
| Email: lbond@unca.edu |
Anne Jansen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary, International Studies and English; Director of US Ethnic Studies; Diversity Intensive Committee Chair
| Office: 212 Karpen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6582 |
| Email: ajansen@unca.edu |
Jinhua Li, Ph.D.
Professor of Chinese Studies & Language, and International, Interdisciplinary Studies; Chair of Interdisciplinary, International Studies; Faculty-Led Global Studies Program Coordinator
| Office: 213 zeis Hall |
| Phone: (828) 232-5135 |
| Email: jli@unca.edu |
Careers & Outcomes
Our comprehensive Asian Studies program opens doors to a multitude of exciting career paths and meaningful outcomes, not only equipping students with a deep understanding of the diverse cultures, histories, and languages of Asia but also preparing them for success in a globalized world. Potential careers and outcomes that await include those with nonprofit and humanitarian organizations, primary and secondary schools, journalism and media, and research and academia.
In addition to the many career paths our students may pursue, multiple opportunities exist for advanced study through a graduate program. Our students may consider master’s or doctoral programs in disciplines related to Asian studies, such as international affairs, anthropology, history, or language and literature.
Related Programs
Empower Your Future in UNC Asheville’s Asian Studies Minor
Designed to empower you with a comprehensive understanding of the rich and diverse cultures that make up Asia, the Asian Studies program introduces you to the interconnectedness of societies across the continent. From ancient civilizations to contemporary societies, you delve into the history, art, literature, and socio-political landscapes that shape this dynamic and influential region.
Contact Us
| Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Phone: 828.250.3955 |
| Email: interdisciplinary@unca.edu |
