Global Asia Studies


Faculty List

  • R. Bai, M.A. (Beijing Foreign Studies), Ph.D. (Illinois), Associate Professor
  • L. Chen, M.A. (SUNY Buffalo), J.D.(Illinois), M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. (Columbia), Associate Professor
  • E. Elhalaby, Ph.D. (Rice), Assistant Professor
  • Y. Gu, M.A. (Fudan), Ph.D. (Brown), Assistant Professor
  • B. Raman, M.A., Ph.D. (Michigan), Associate Professor
  • J. Sharma, M.A. (Delhi), M.Phil. (Delhi), Ph.D. (Cambridge), Associate Professor 
  • S. Ye, M.A. (Cincinnati), Ph.D. (Minnesota), Assistant Professor

Undergraduate Advisor Email: gas-undergrad-advisor@utsc.utoronto.ca
For more information, visit the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies website.

Global Asia Studies (GAS) has interdisciplinary undergraduate programs that enable students to intensively study Asia as part of a dynamic global and diasporic context in the past and present. Students learn cutting-edge Humanities methods and theories from a range of different disciplines. GAS programs link the academic study of Asia to Toronto's vibrant Asian communities through exciting co- and extra-curricular programming that nurtures socially responsible and educationally rigorous experiential learning. It incorporates various thematic interests such as the study of gender, diasporas and migration, religion, development, nationalism in contexts as different as mainland China and Tamil worlds.

The Specialist Program in Global Asia Studies and Major Program in Global Asia Studies are designed for those students who wish to acquire more in-depth knowledge of Asia that spans a number of disciplines, and may help better prepare them for a variety of careers.

The curriculum combines a variety of approaches. The first-year A-level courses GASA01H3/HISA06H3 and GASA02H3 provide a general introduction to Asia in a global context through historical and cultural perspectives respectively. 

GAS students then move onto courses at the B-level which provide a comprehensive foundation of knowledge in particular areas and fields relevant to the study of Asia. For example, see courses such as GASB57H3/HISB57H3.

In C-level courses, students investigate specific areas and problems pertaining to East and South Asia in greater depth. These courses are conducted in a lecture and tutorial discussion format. For example, see courses such as GASC20H3.

All D-level courses are conducted as small-group seminars where students conduct research and analysis of particular questions or topics, actively participate in class discussions and present their findings in class and in their research essays. For example, see courses such as GASD01H3. 

Language study for the Global Asia Studies program is particularly important for those students who wish to move onto advanced studies of East or South Asia at the university level, and to acquire a specialized knowledge base for a range of professional and academic opportunities. Languages offered at the university that count towards the Global Asia Studies degree includes Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese. Students should get the Program Director's written approval before taking any language courses offered outside the University of Toronto Scarborough. The language study requirement is waived in specific cases.

Guidelines for first-year course selection

Students who intend to complete a Global Asia Studies program should include GASA01H3/HISA06H3 or GASA02H3 in their first-year course selection.
For updates and detailed information regarding Global Asia Studies please visit the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies website.

Program Combination Restrictions

The Specialist, Major and Minor programs in Global Asia Studies cannot be combined.

Experiential Learning and Outreach

For a community-based experiential learning opportunity in your academic field of interest, consider the course CTLB03H3, which can be found in the Teaching and Learning section of the Calendar.