The Department of Asian Studies is celebrating its 80th year in 2026. The department has 37 faculty members, 6 visiting Teaching Associates and Post Docs and offers courses in 19 languages, including 15 modern and 5 literary languages. Initially focused on Chinese language and history, the department today supports a comprehensive curriculum that spans the breadth of the Asian continent.
Undergraduate students can major in Asian studies or minor in East Asian studies, South Asian studies, Southeast Asian studies, Global Asia studies or Sanskrit studies. The department is home to two graduate programs: Asian Studies (MA) and Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture (MA/PhD).
Academic Resources
Asian Studies Students in the News
Diverse Academic Offerings
Asian Studies encompasses the geographical areas of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, with opportunities to specialize in one of the three regions. Currently 20 Asian languages are taught at Cornell or via distance learning. The department's courses through the 4400-level are taught in English and are open to all students in the university. These courses cover topics in Culture, Religion, Film and Media, and Literature. Literature courses taught in target language will be noted under that language/literature heading (e.g. CHLIT, JPLIT, etc...)
Asian Studies has two graduate program options: a Ph.D. in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture; and an M.A. in Asian Studies. Both programs have three areas of concentration: East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.