Concentrations

MASIA offers four functional concentrations and two subregional concentrations. Students simply take three courses focused upon one of these six options. It is possible for students to achieve two concentrations within their degree program. Since MASIA offers a large emphasis on the study of East Asia, students who wish to specialize in South Asia or Southeast Asia can pursue one of the two sub-regional concentrations.

Functional Concentrations

• Politics and Security of Asia focuses on the study of traditional security issues including deterrence, nuclear proliferation, arms control, and alliances. It also looks at transnational and non-state security challenges including terrorism, radicalism, religious conflict, and energy security.
• History, Society and Culture of Asia focuses on the in-depth study of the history and historiographical approaches to Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Central Asian, Southeast Asian or South Asian history and society, as well as literature, religion, philosophy, classics and other areas related to the study of the unique histories, cultures, and societies in Asia. Courses on pre-modern Asia would also count toward fulfillment of the concentration.
• International Political Economy / Business of Asia emphasizes the relationship between power and wealth in Asia, the prospects for free trade, international business, and finance in Asia.
• Energy, Environment and Transnational Issues provides for a focus on topics that transcend national boundaries and emphasizes interdisciplinary areas to include energy, climate, environment, demography, development, health, among other subjects.

Subregional Concentrations

• South Asia: a three-course concentration on the society, politics, economics, culture, and history of South Asia.
• Southeast Asia: a three-course concentration on the society, politics, economics, culture, and history of Southeast Asia.