30 Units
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a minor in Asian studies. Chinese, with more than 1.3 billion speakers, represents the world's largest linguistic community, while Japanese is the language of the world's third-largest economy. Besides Chinese and Japanese language courses at all levels, the program features topics in Asian culture, literature, history, religion, philosophy, anthropology, politics and development. It is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of Asia's multi-faceted role in the contemporary world and of its historical and cultural transformations.
Students are encouraged to participate in summer programs in China and Japan as well as to engage in volunteer opportunities offered through the Centre for Global and Community Engagement of the University of Ottawa.
The wide range of skills and knowledge you acquire not only gives you important academic assets, but also prepares you for interesting careers in both the public and private sectors.
All of our language courses are taught in Chinese or in Japanese. Other courses are offered in English or in French.
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2024-2025 calendar for the previous requirements.
The table below includes only discipline-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on including a minor to your degree.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| One option from the following: | 12 Units | |
Option 1: Chinese | ||
| Introduction to Chinese I | ||
| Introduction to Chinese II | ||
| Intermediate Chinese I | ||
| Intermediate Chinese II | ||
| Advanced Chinese I | ||
| Advanced Chinese II | ||
Option 2: Japanese | ||
| Introduction to Japanese I | ||
| Introduction to Japanese II | ||
| Intermediate Japanese I | ||
| Intermediate Japanese II | ||
| Advanced Japanese I | ||
| Advanced Japanese II | ||
| 6 optional course units at the 3000 or 4000 level from the list of optional courses | 6 Units | |
| 12 optional course units from the list of optional courses | 12 Units | |
| Total: | 30 Units | |
List of Optional Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 3307 | Contemporary Japanese Society | 3 Units |
| ASI 3110 | Selected Topics in East Asian Culture | 3 Units |
| ASI 3111 | East Asian Cinemas | 3 Units |
| CHN 1901 | Introduction to Chinese I 3 | 3 Units |
| CHN 1902 | Introduction to Chinese II 3 | 3 Units |
| CHN 2101 | Introduction to Chinese Culture 3 | 3 Units |
| CHN 2901 | Intermediate Chinese I 3 | 3 Units |
| CHN 2902 | Intermediate Chinese II 3 | 3 Units |
| CHN 3901 | Advanced Chinese I | 3 Units |
| CHN 3902 | Advanced Chinese II | 3 Units |
| GEG 4702 | Le développement des villes | 3 Units |
| HIS 2175 | Southeast Asian Civilizations to the 18th Century | 3 Units |
| HIS 2176 | Southeast Asian Civilizations from the 18th Century to the Present | 3 Units |
| HIS 2178 | History of East Asia from 1600 to the Present | 3 Units |
| HIS 3175 | A History of the Vietnam Wars | 3 Units |
| HIS 3180 | Selected Topics in Asian History | 3 Units |
| JPN 1901 | Introduction to Japanese I 3 | 3 Units |
| JPN 1902 | Introduction to Japanese II 3 | 3 Units |
| JPN 2101 | Introduction to Japanese Culture 3 | 3 Units |
| JPN 2901 | Intermediate Japanese I 3 | 3 Units |
| JPN 2902 | Intermediate Japanese II 3 | 3 Units |
| JPN 3901 | Advanced Japanese I | 3 Units |
| JPN 3902 | Advanced Japanese II | 3 Units |
| LCM 1101 | How to Learn Foreign Languages | 3 Units |
| LCM 1102 | Tools for Cultural Analysis | 3 Units |
| PHI 2389 | Asian Philosophy | 3 Units |
| POL 3114 | Comparative Politics: Asia | 3 Units |
| SRS 3313 | Buddhism | 3 Units |