Asian Studies – Major

Asian Studies – China Concentration – Major and Minor

The China concentration in Asian Studies provides students with a sound foundation in one or more aspects of the study of China. The faculty has particular strength in history, both modern and pre-modern, as well as the social sciences. In addition, an extensive range of outstanding courses is available in the areas of language and literature. Students in the China Program are encouraged to take advantage of intensive overseas language training offered by the Inter-University Program in Taipei or the Beijing Chinese Language Program available through Beijing University.

Learn more:


Major in China Studies

Course # Title Credits Quarter
JSIS 203 or
JSIS A 207
Rise of Asia or
Asian Traditions
5 Autumn
(Winter)
JSIS 201 The Making of the Twenty-first Century 5 Winter or Spring
HSTAS 211 or
JSIS A 254
History of Chinese Civilization or
China in the Twentieth Century
5 Varies
2nd Asian Civilization Course One Asian Civilization course chosen from:HSTAS 201, 202, 211; JSIS A 206, 212, 221, 241, 242 5 Varies
China Electives
3-400 level
(a max. of 5 cr.
of 200-level may be applied w/
adviser approval)
Choose (3-400 level) to include:

30 Varies
Research Paper Asian Research Paper written with Jackson School Professor 15 pgs.
Minimum Grade Minimum grade 2.0 in all courses applied to major.
Chinese Language Chinese Language proficiency through 2nd year college level or 3rd quarter of 2nd year college level.(For first- and second-year language courses, grades must average 2.00)
Total Credits (not including language)               50
Click here for an online checklist of course requirements

Minor in China Studies

30 credits, to include the following:

  1. HSTAS 211 and either RELIG 202 or one additional introductory Asian civilization course from those listed above (10 credits)
  2. 10 credits of electives taken at the UW, chosen from the China history/social science electives list*
  3. 5 credits of electives taken at the UW, chosen from the China history/social science list or the China arts/literature electives list*
  4. 5 additional credits in Chinese language beyond second-year level, or in upper-division transfer courses on China, or in additional electives chosen from the China history/social science electives list*
  5. Minimum grade of 2.0 required in each course applied toward the minor.

JSIS & Affiliate China Studies Faculty


China Studies Courses

Quarterly Course Lists


China Studies Electives

Modern China

Premodern China

  • JSIS A/HSTAS 456 Topics in Chinese Social History (depending on theme) 
  • ECON 466 Economic History of China: 1840-1949 
  • JSIS 484 Special Topics East Asia (depending on theme) 1-5, max. 15 
  • HSTAS 451 Chinese History: Earliest Times to 221 B.C. 
  • HSTAS 452 Chinese History: to 1368 A.D. 
  • HSTAS 453 Chinese History from 1276-1895 5
  • HSTAS/WOMEN 457 Women in China to 1800 
  • CHIN 370 Ancient China 

China Arts and Literature

  • ART H 212* Chinese Art and Visual Culture 
  • ART H 310 Chinese Art and Archaeology Neolithic to Han Dynasty
  • ART H 311 Arts of Imperial China 5
  • ART H 315 Buddhist Art of East Asia 
  • ART H 411 Chinese Painting Experiences 
  • ART H 412 Chinese Bronzes 
  • ART H 413 Selected Topics in Chinese Art 3, max 9 
  • ASIAN 201* Literature and Culture of China: Ancient and Classical 
  • ASIAN 204* Literature and Culture of China from Tradition to Modernity 
  • ASIAN 207* Special Topics in Literature and Culture of Asia (if China) 
  • ASIAN 211* Languages and Cultures of China 
  • ASIAN 223* Buddhist Literature 
  • ASIAN 263* Great Works of Asian Literature (if China) 
  • CHIN 370 Ancient China 
  • CHIN 373 Chinese Poetry 5
  • CHIN 374 Chinese Prose 
  • CHIN 380 Premodern Chinese Narrative in Translation 
  • CHIN 381 Literature in Modern China 
  • CHIN 385 Popular Culture in Twentieth-Century China 
  • CHIN 461 History of Chinese Literature 
  • CHIN 462 History of Chinese Literature 
  • CHIN 463 History of Chinese Literature 
  • CHIN 482 Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese 
  • CHIN 496 Special Studies in Chinese (depending on theme) 

* A maximum of 5 credits of lower-division coursework (200-level) may be counted in the 30 credits constituting the distribution and specialization requirements.