BA in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies

Find out how to declare a BA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

We provide students with diverse opportunities for studying Asian and Middle Eastern cultures and developing advanced skills in seven languages. Our courses cover literary and performance traditions, religious thought, social and political formations, and diverse media. Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, and Urdu language courses are offered from at least the first through the third years.

The major requires students to reach the third tier of courses in their language, plus nine courses which will include upper-level AMES courses. Students may customize their selection of AMES courses. 2-3 courses may come from study abroad, language study beyond the third year, and select courses from other departments.

Students choose one of the following sub-plans:

  • China Studies
  • Japan Studies
  • Korea Studies
  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • South Asian Studies
  • Southeast Asian Studies

Declare the Major

To declare the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major, visit the AMES adviser by appointment, email (amesadvise@umn.edu), or visit the declare page.  

Full Requirements