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Introduction

The Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies welcomes students who wish to combine concentrated study in a traditional academic discipline with an interdisciplinary major program that focuses on contemporary developments in this rapidly changing region. A broad survey course offered by the Department of Political Science provides students with a solid understanding of the complex political, economic, social and cultural life of the region. An additional range of optional courses that span the humanities and the social sciences allow students to develop more specialized knowledge of the region. Finally, a fourth-year capstone course allows students in the program to synthesize what they have learned in various optional courses while undertaking independent research on a topic of special interest.

Study of a major language of the region is an important component of the program. In many cases, this can be achieved by taking two courses in one of the three main languages taught in the Department of East Asian Studies: Chinese, Japanese or Korean. All possible efforts will also be made to assist and support students who wish to achieve basic fluency in another language of the region, such as Indonesian, Vietnamese, Malay, Tagalog or Thai.. Students who are already fluent in a language of the region are allowed to substitute optional courses for the language course requirements.

Students may consult the Director of the Program at the Munk Centre for International Studies, Room 265S. For general inquiries contact the Program Administrator at 416-946-8996, Munk Centre for International Studies, Room 227N or munk.aps@artsci.utoronto.ca. For current developments, please check the Program’s University web site (www.utoronto.ca/davidchu).

Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies

Enrolment in the Dr. David Chu Program in Asia-Pacific Studies is open to students who have successfully completed four full courses. A minimum CGPA of 2.5 is required. Those who seek advanced language standing must receive permission from the Program Director, and will be required to complete recommended substitute courses. Formal admission to the program is achieved by completing a required enrolment form. The required form is available from the Director, the Program Administrator, or the Program’s web site.

Major program:

(7 full courses or their equivalent, including at least two 300+series courses)

1. POL215Y1; ASI400Y1. These courses must be taken in sequential order.
2. Two sequential Y1 courses in an East Asian or Southeast Asian language. Students may choose to study one of three languages - Chinese, Japanese, Korean - offered by the Department of East Asian Studies. For other languages, such as Thai, Vietnamese, Malay and Indonesian, students should consult with the Program Director. Generally two sequential courses are required for these languages as well but the Program will consider other ar-rangements including study abroad and intensive summer courses at other universities.
3. Three additional full course equivalents on appropriate Asia-Pacific topics from offerings in the following departments: ANT, EAS, GGR, HIS, PHL, POL, RLG, SOC. Students are invited to select any courses on the Asia Pacific region that are offered by the above departments (or by other departments not listed here). Please consult with the Program Director if you have any questions about your course selection.