Registration Guide: Asian Studies

Your first course should fulfill one of your three Asian Studies core courses. You can find a list of these courses on the Asian Studies Bulletin. Additionally, some courses from the International Relations major’s Asian Studies track may be applicable to the Asian Studies major, but you need to consult with your academic advisor to ensure that any course of interest from this list will apply toward the major.

To view Asian Studies Core courses offered in the next semester, please review this list. 

*Many of the courses listed are upper-level courses designed for upperclassmen. Make sure you pick an appropriate level class by selecting a course with a 100- or 200-level code (e.g. CAS RN 103 or CAS IR 275). Also make sure you have met any prerequisites for the course you select.

Asian Studies Principal Course:
The Asian Studies major requires eight principal courses; at least three of these must be within the humanities, and at least three must fall under social sciences. Any principal courses taken not within these minimum humanities or social science categories are considered elective principal courses. For more information on these requirements, as well as a list of courses offered under each category described, please refer again to the Asian Studies Bulletin.

To view Asian Studies Principal courses offered in the next semester, please review this list. Make sure you pick an appropriate level class by selecting a course with a 100- or 200-level code (e.g. CAS HI 234 or CAS PH 247). Also make sure you have met any prerequisites for the course you select.

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement.

Asian Studies Language Course: You must study an Asian language (e.g., Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Urdu) through at least the fifth-semester level (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening through testing). This requirement will also fulfill your CAS language requirement.

To begin, select the Asian language you’d like to study:

• If you have advanced or external credit for the fourth-semester level of that language (such as through AP or IB scores), you may register for a 300-level course. You can find a list of 300-level courses, organized by language, on the World Languages & Literatures Course Listing.
• If you have previously studied the language but do not have advanced or external credit for it, you will need to take a placement exam to determine what course to register for.
• If you are studying that language for the first time, register for the first-semester level, typically coded as CAS L_ 111. For instance, you can take CAS LK 111 Korean 1, CAS LC 111 Chinese 1, etc.

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement.

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CAS CC 111: Core Natural Science 1: Origins—of the Big Bang, Earth, Life and Humanity (offered fall only): The origins of the physical world, a scientific parallel to CC 101. Explores how the fields of astronomy, earth science, biology, and anthropology help us to understand our place in the cosmos from a scientific perspective. Topics include the Big Bang, evolution of the stars and earth, evolution of life, and the origins of human life and society. Assignments include computer-based and experimental laboratory work as well as team-based investigation and original research.

This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Teamwork/Collaboration.

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CAS CC 212: Core Natural Science 2: Reality, Science, and the Modern World (offered spring only): Studies the paradigm-shifting scientific theories of quantum theory and relativity that created a new world view and forced the 20th century into a new understanding of our relation to reality. Students parallel these theories with current debates about science, such as those concerning climate change and the phenomenon of “junk science.” Considers the role of science in the modern world, how we know what we know, the roles of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and chaos theory, and the nature of truth in a 21st century context.

This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas:  Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking.

Your fourth course should be a writing course:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds (offered fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (offered fall only, 1 unit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit course that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. Each section is co-taught by a BU staff member alongside a BU student.  You will meet with a small community of other incoming students who will serve as conversation partners as together you learn how to leverage BU’s resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience. Through discussions, activities, class field trips and program-wide events, you will make immediate connections with the BU community. Specialty sections are available for natural science majors, social science majors, computer science and math majors, undeclared students, and first-generation college students. Check out the Pardee sections below! Is your preferred specialty section full or unavailable? Register for a general CAS section (CAS FY101 AB-IE) where you will get to meet students from across CAS!

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First-Year Career Development Seminar: FY 102 (offered spring only, 1 unit) – Optional

FY102 will help first-year students get started on utilizing the Career Development Cycle to maximize their time at BU. During this course students will create a plan of action towards choosing a major, creating a resume, finding an internship, and preparing for a career that they will love. Seminars are offered in various fields of interest and include guest speakers from different industries.