Asia Pacific Studies Curriculum

The nine courses in the Master's program in Asia Pacific Studies provide a broad-based curriculum combining:

- research and writing

- small group/team work

- an integrated Asian language component

- several options for those with existing language competence

Semester I
  • APS - 601 Comparative Modernization of East Asia
  • APS - 610 Core Asian Language I (Japanese) or
  • APS - 621 Core Asian Language I (Mandarin Chinese)
Semester II
  • APS - 605 Cultures of East Asia
  • APS - 611 Core Asian Language 2 (Japanese) or
  • APS - 622 Core Asian Language 2 (Mandarin Chinese)
Summer Session
  • APS - 612 Asian Language Intensive Summer Session (Japanese) or
  • APS - 623 Asian Language Intensive Summer Session (Mandarin Chinese)
Semester III
  • APS - 635 Literature of East Asia
  • APS - 636 Society and Culture in the Contemporary Asia Pacific
Semester IV
  • APS - 620 International Politics of the Asia Pacific
  • APS - 640 Economies of East Asia
Elective Courses

Prospective students with demonstrable competence in an acceptable Asian language have some flexibility in how they may complete the 12 units normally devoted to Asian language study. Qualified students may pursue one or more of the following options as appropriate:

  • Continued study of their target language beyond their current level.
  • Study of another Asian language at the beginning level.
  • Transfer up to nine units credit of acceptable Asian language study at a recognized degree-granting institution for which the student received a grade of "B" or better.
  • Asia Pacific Internship
  • Directed Research

The BA/BS-Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies (BA-MAPS) Program

The BA/BS-Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies (BA-MAPS) Program gives undergraduates the opportunity to satisfy up to 20 of the 36 units required for the Master's in Asia Pacific Studies (MAPS) degree while pursuing their Bachelor's degree at USF. Students who take full advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the BA-MAPS Program can save at least a year's time and tuition while earning both a BA and the MA in Asia Pacific Studies.

Learning Goals/Outcomes for the M.A. in Asia Pacific Studies

Graduates of the USF Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies Program should be able to demonstrate:

  • An understanding of the East Asian region from a multi-disciplinary perspective
  • An understanding of the interrelationships among the countries and cultures of East Asia in the context of the greater Pacific Rim
  • The ability to articulate the differences and similarities in individual national and cultural approaches to human rights and social justice, gender and class issues, the challenges of modernization, and the stresses of economic inter-penetration/globalization
  • A low-intermediate competence in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (or other Asia language as appropriate)