Upcoming Semester Asian Studies Courses

Fall 2026 registration begins March 31! Please refer to advising (and registration clearance) for more info.

Upcoming Semester Courses that apply to the Asian Studies program (BA, Minor, Certificate)

The following Fall 2026 classes count towards the requirements for the Asian Studies major, minor, and certificate. Where applicable, a class’s GEP attributes (“Arts and Humanities,” “Writing Intensive,” etc) have been indicated. If you have questions, please email us, and we’ll be happy to assist you!

  • ASIA 100 (GEP: Culture), Mika Thornburg, In Person, M/W 1-2:15pm
  • HIST 103 (GEP: Culture, Social Sciences), Constantine Vaporis, Online, T/Th 10-11:15
  • PHIL 230 (GEP: Culture, Arts & Humanities), Joonho Lee, In Person, M/W 1-2:15

For available language courses, please refer to the schedule of classes below for a full list from the search bar.

  • AMST 375 (Studies in Asian American Culture), Tamara Bhalla, In Person, M/W 1-2:15
  • ASIA 330 / ART 335 (The Dao of Intermedia), Irene Chan, In Person, M/W 10-11:50
  • ASIA 399 (Internship in Asian Studies), Fan Yang (TBD)
  • ECON 382 (Asian Economic History), David Mitch, In Person, T/Th 5:30-6:45
  • ENGL 315 (Studies in World Literature), Emily Yoon, In Person, M/W 1-2:15
  • ENGL 369 (Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Literature), Emily Yoon, In Person, M/W 2:30-3:45
  • HIST 202 (Islamic Empires: Gunpowder, Merchants, and Miniatures), Noorzehra Zaidi, In Person, T/Th 10-11:15
  • HIST 380 (Women and Gender in Asia), Jinghong Zhang, In Person, T/Th 4-5:15
  • HIST 368 (Hindus, Muslims, and their Others: The Construction of Identities in India and Pakistan), Noorzehra Zaidi In Person, T/Th 12:30-3:45
  • HIST 434 (The Vietnam Wars in International Context; GEP: Social Sciences), Meredith Oyen, In Person, F 1-3:30
  • HIST 479 (China’s Long Revolution), Jinghong Zhang, In Person T/Th 11:30-12:45
  • MLL 311 (Introduction to Korean Culture), Kyung-Eun Yoon, In Person M/W 10-11:15
  • MLL 317 (Images of Society in Contemporary Japanese Films), TBA, In Person T/Th 1-2:15
  • MUSC 230 (Musics of the World; GEP: Culture, Arts & Humanities), Michelle Purdy, In Person, T/Th 11:30-12:45
  • MUSC 310 (Gamelan Ensemble), Michelle Purdy, In Person, T/Th 2:30-3:45
  • PHIL 460 (Virtue Ethics East and West), Joonho Lee, In Person, M/W 4-5:15

 

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Otakon 2026 with Dr. Constantine Vaporis!

Our very own Dr. Constantine Vaporis (Founder & Former Director of Asian Studies) spoke on Samurai: Anime, Manga, and Historical Realities during this year's Otakon 2026! Check out his photos and highlights below!

What an experience! 50,000 young people (and some not so young...) lining up for three city blocks to get in; many of them in full anime/manga attire. It was such a positive, supportive environment--people enjoying each others' costumes, taking photos of each other in various poses (including one whole floor for staged photos for social media), workshops on armor making, costume making, language acquisition. A huge floor where vendors and artists displayed their wares (photo included).

There was standing room only for my talk (sponsored by the Embassy of Japan), with over 300 in attendance. There actually was a line to get in after I started (as reported to me). Rousing applause BEFORE I even spoke. Great questions. Too many for the allotted time. A number of former students were there representing UMBC and I've included a photo of two of them Peri Johnson and Randy Duran (both Asian Studies, both gave their permission to use the photo on social media). They allowed me to sell my samurai encyclopedia afterwards and I sold all the copies I brought (too bad the new book isn't out yet but I had a display with the discount code).

All in all, a great experience.

Best,

Constantine

Otakon 2026 highlight photos

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Posted: August 6, 2026, 1:59 PM

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