An understanding of Asian countries, cultures and economies is of critical importance to all future professionals. This area of study takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine a range of issues relating to the history, politics, society, economy and culture of Asian countries, as well as individual experiences. You’ll focus particularly on China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and South Asia.
In your first year you’ll be introduced to a relevant language (either Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Korean), together with a broad overview of major developments in Asia across the past 500 years. Throughout the major you’ll have access to a broad range of elective units in order to tailor your studies to match your personal and career interests.
During your studies you will learn how to:
Studies in global Asia can lead to a career as a:
This major is taught by academic staff who are leading researchers in their field, and recipients of a number of teaching awards as well. They represent several disciplines including history, anthropology, linguistics, literature, film studies, cultural studies, politics and gender studies.
Monash Arts has the largest number of overseas study programs of any university in Australia. There are short term programs that run for two weeks, or longer programs that run for a semester.
Examples of short term programs include:
GIG: Global Immersion Guarantee
The Monash Arts Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) is an award-winning initiative that will enable you to explore first-hand the relationships between society, technology and the environment. It’s a two- week, funded study trip for all eligible first- year Monash Arts, single or double degree students to one of six destinations – China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia or the Pacific Islands.
This area of study is offered in the following courses or can be taken where you have 8 free electives. To see if you can take this area of study within a double degree select from the course offering below.
Career options
Overseas opportunities
We encourage you to expand your horizons during your time at Monash by studying at one of our partner universities overseas. An exchange is an ideal way to advance your skills and immerse yourself in the culture of the country where you are studying.