Asian Studies

A degree program in Asian Studies opens up a wide range of possibilities for exploring the societies, languages, cultures, art, and religions of Asia and the Middle East in great depth. The growing global importance of these regions is making the subject increasingly relevant from both a societal and economic perspective.

Students select a profile to determine which region or subject methodology they will be focusing on and acquire language and linguistic skills, region-specific expertise and a fundamental understanding of the methods applied in the humanities and social sciences. The main content covered varies depending on the subject or subjects chosen: While some lean more toward historical and cultural topics such as history, art, religion and philosophy, others devote themselves to economic and social questions or international politics and cooperation.

Potential profiles include Islamic Studies/Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies/Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies/Turkish History and Society, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, Art History in Asia and the Orient, Mongolian Studies, Chinese Studies, South Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, Tibetan Studies, and Comparative Religious Studies.

Practical knowledge of an Asian language (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish or Vietnamese) is acquired through the required language minor.

Possible lines of work:

Intercultural communication, intercultural management, international development cooperation, peace and conflict research, international educational work (adult education, language courses, etc.), politics (policy consulting), culture (conservation/maintenance/management of global cultural heritage, cultural institutions, culture management, museums, etc.), tourism (long-distance, educational and cultural tourism), journalism, academia (teaching/research at universities, research institutions, etc.)