Asia’s importance in the global economy and impact on geopolitical dynamics have a direct bearing on our lives in the U.S. today. Any effort to meet the challenges of the present as we strive to create a sustainable future for all must include the peoples and countries of Asia for any solutions to succeed. Asian cultures, religions, and philosophies have long enlivened and enlightened us (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Daoism, etc. were all born in Asia after all!), while contemporary Asian popular culture – from Bollywood & Anime to Bubble Tea & K-pop – point to continuing “soft power” influence as well. This inquiry provides the context and methodological tools for you to develop your own path to a deeper understanding of some the many histories, societies, and cultures of Asia and the Asian diaspora throughout the world.
Enrolled in this Inquiry?—Click here for a requirement checklist.
The LEAD Curriculum includes both required and optional experiences in Foundational Study, Advanced Study, and LEAD Opportunities. Students begin with foundational coursework that connects to their future studies, initiates discussions of identity and difference, and links their academic and professional interests.
LEAD Foundational Study has four required elements: the LEAD Seminar, the Professional Pathway, LEAD Knowledge and Methods, and Language Study. Students have the option of fulfilling the LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirement by taking LEAD Exploration courses or completing a LEAD Inquiry.
LEAD Inquiry: Asia in the World
Students in the Asia in the World Inquiry take 4 courses, one from each of the areas listed below, and one Natural Science course. Together, these courses satisfy LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements. Where multiple courses are listed, students must take at least one course from the list.
Gateway Course: Cultural Literacy and Humanities
- Introduction to Asian Studies (ASIA 200)*
*Must be taken in fall semester of the first year
Next Level Contexts: Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
- East Asian Civilizations (HIST 206)
- Islamic Civilizations (HIST 221)
- Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 101)
- Comparative Politics (POSC 252; This course has a prerequisite)
- International Politics (POSC 269; This course has a prerequisite)
- Economics of Developing Countries (ECON 372; This course has prerequisites.)
- East Asian Philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, & Zen (PHIL 351)
- South Asian Philosophies: Hinduism, Buddhism, & Islam (PHIL 352)
- Asian Politics (POSC 333)
Creative/Interpretive Methodologies: Arts
- Introduction to Visual Thinking (ART 205)
- Portrait Photography: Identity and Social Justice (ART 211)
- Introduction to Photography (ART 212)
- Introduction to Digital Media Art (ART 214)
- Portrait Photography (ART 233)
- Painting and Drawing from Life (ART 239)
- Community Arts (ART 269)
- Creative Writing (ENGL 270)
- Idea into Performance (TDPS 130)
- Introduction to Film and Media Studies (TDPS 220)
- Film and Media Production Modes (TDPS 221)
- Media Production (TDPS 228)
Computational Methodologies: Mathematics
- Introduction to Computer Science (COSC 120)
- Economic Statistics (ECON 253; This course has a prerequisite)
- Introduction to Statistics (MATH 221)
- Social Statistics (SOCI 201; This course has a prerequisite)
*The above courses are specifically recommended for students in the Inquiry. However, any other Mathematics course that fulfills the LEAD Exploration Mathematics requirement can be used to complete the Asia-in-the-World Inquiry.
Asia in and on Earth: Natural Science with Lab
Note: this course is required to complete the Inquiry but is not included in the Integrated Learning Portfolio.
- Earth Systems (ENST 265)
- Environmental Science (ENST 250 + 250L; must include lab component to count. This course has prerequisites.)
- Introduction to Marine Science (MRNE 110 + 110L; must include lab component to count.)
The above courses are specifically recommended for students in the Inquiry. However, any other course that fulfills the LEAD Exploration Natural Science with lab requirement can be used to complete the Asia-in-the-World Inquiry.
In addition, all LEAD Inquiry students complete an Integrated Learning Portfolio (ILP) during the last semester of their Inquiry experience in LEAD 250 (formerly ILPF 200). LEAD 250 is worth 1 credit and is graded on a credit/no credit basis.
Additional recommendations
The LEAD Language Study requirement is separate from the Inquiry. However, we highly recommend that students consider studying an Asian language for this requirement. The College currently offers Chinese.
About LEAD Inquiries
LEAD Inquiries give students an opportunity to apply coursework from a range of liberal arts disciplines to a common topic or question. In an Inquiry, students satisfy their LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements by taking a set of courses– each connected to the Inquiry topic– and completing an Integrated Learning Portfolio. Through their Inquiry coursework, students can fulfill their LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements in four or five classes (the number varies depending on which Inquiry you take), rather than six.