Asian Studies Minor Growing

This semester the Asian studies minor grew to new heights of popularity and relevance among students, reflecting increased interest among undergraduates at universities nationwide. The minor itself, which requires a proficiency in an Asian language to the intermediate level, an introductory course, and interdisciplinary electives, is now being directed by Rebecca Nedostup, a professor in the history department, who received tenure last year. This new permanence in faculty creates a more cohesive program of study that has attracted student and administrative attention and support. "Around the country, this has been growing and Boston College has been a little slow to catch up to that but that, has been really helped by greater student interest in Asian content and language courses," Nedostup said. "A lot of this has been helped by the fact that we now have a tenured faculty to run the language program, which gives consistency to our program," Nedostup said.

Rev. Jeremey Clarke, S.J., a post-doctoral fellow in the history department who has been teaching courses in Chinese history at BC, said that it is entirely fitting for the University to be emphasizing Asian studies, especially at this time. "Not only are nations in East and South Asia becoming ever more prominent in world affairs, but the Society of Jesus' involvement in the life of these nations has also been significant over a long period of time," Clarke said. "2010, for instance, marks the 400th anniversary of the death in Beijing of the legendary Jesuit, Matteo Ricci. The increased focus on Asian studies thus not only touches on a vibrant future but also grounds students at Jesuit institutions in a rich, fascinating and inspiring past," she said.

Nedostup said that there were many factors that contributed to the rise in the Asian studies minor and the increased interest in Asian-themed classes in general. "A definite economic interest, a lot of minors come out of CSOM or economics, and that shows how Asia is now a major actor on the world stage," she said. The increase in Asian languages at the high school level has also contributed to students feeling more comfortable with taking these foreign language options at the university level, even students with no background in Asian culture or language. "Some of the interest comes from greater activism and awareness among the Asian and Asian-American students, more and more students who are interested in pursuing their language and cultural interests," Nedostup said.

In terms of raising awareness among the general student population, there is no way to discount the impact of the seven Asian culture clubs and the frequent programs and lectures that they sponsor. Jennifer Liao, the president of Asian Caucus, an organization that represents the BC Asian American community, and CSOM '10, said that one of the major goals of Asian Caucus is to educate not only those outside of the Asian community but also the younger students in the Asian culture clubs themselves. "We indoctrinate our freshmen. Focusing on education is important; if they're not aware of their own background and culture, then how can they encourage others to care?" Liao also said that the problem of inadequate education on matters of Asian culture and heritage has affected even the administration. This dearth has been shown by the difficulties the University has had in finding a namesake for the Asian American Scholarship. "It's difficult because the administration knows so little, and we feel that they should be the role models. Is it our job to educate them or is it their job to be already aware?" Liao said.

The Asian American Scholarship is one issue of Asian culture on campus that has elicited frustration from both the Asian student community and the faculty involved in the Asian Studies program. "The administration has said that they really want to solve this problem, but there hasn't been enough sustained attention paid from all sides," Nedostup said. "If you don't know your history enough then this will become a learning process for everyone, so making the people well known is actually part of the goal of finding the right person. Picking the name itself is part of a long term advocacy process." The scholarship will be under review again soon, Liao said, and the name will be selected from a list of eight or nine that were suggested by a committee to the administration. The criteria are that the namesake must have either a connection to BC or be a Christian.

The Asian studies department has begun to have more of an influence on campus life. An upcoming show in the McMullen Museum that will run from Feb. 6 to June 6 is titled "Asian Journeys" and is on loan from the collection in the Asia Society in New York, which houses the personal Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, and Nepalese art collection of John D. Rockefeller III. "This is not just a show of masterpieces; it is also surrounding a discussion of larger issues of collecting Asian Art in American history," said Nancy Netzer, director of the McMullen Museum. "The conception for the exhibition has an interdisciplinary aspect and can be related to many classes in the University which is why we have so much faculty support."

Nedostup said that in order to expand the program there needs to be a build up of faculty before any thoughts of creating a major can be seriously considered. "We have already had some very good resources on which to build here at BC: faculty who do high-level research on Asian and Asian American topics; a core of students very interested and active in culture and activities and increasingly interested in courses and study abroad," Nedostup said. "The challenge is not only to build on that (e.g. to develop faculty and course offerings in areas where we are weaker), but also to make these efforts a visible part of the BC culture overall. In other words, we need to reach more than the 'usual suspects' of people who arrive on campus with an inherent interest in Asian and Asian American studies and activism, and become an essential part of the fabric of life here."