The study of Asia provides a broad understanding of civilizations that extend back thousands of years. It includes ancient and modern languages and the history, art, literature, politics, anthropology, geography, religion, and drama of China, India, Japan, Korea, and Russia. 

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Asian Languages and Literature is designed for students who want to achieve proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or in reading Sanskrit. Students will study one language for three to four years as they learn about the culture and history of China, Japan, or South Asia.