Academic Program & Requirements

Where to start?

AMES 101 “Introduction to Asian and Middle East Studies” is open to all first year students. In addition, you can begin with languages (Arabic, Chinese and Japanese) or any of the 100 level courses in our affiliated departments.

How to go deeper?

The AMES program offers three paths for a structured curriculum — 1) the Joint Major, 2) the Concentration in Asian Studies, and 3) the Concentration in Islamic Cultures and Civilizations

1. The Joint Major: Available through history, religious studies, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and art history, this program allows you to learn a discipline and go deeper in-depth in Asian or Middle East-related courses.  You will write a single Senior Exercise for both departments.
2. Asian Studies Concentration: An interdisciplinary concentration complements your major — whatever it may be — from biology to drama. It allows you to bring together a set of courses on Asia and/or the Middle East and participate in the senior seminar (AMES 490)
3. Islamic Cultures and Civilizations Concentration: This interdisciplinary Concentration is designed for students studying the Islamicate world, broadly speaking, i.e., cultures and countries that have been strongly influenced by Islam and Muslim cultures.  Whether your interests are contemporary or historical, see the following courses.

Participate in the Asian and Middle East Studies Community

Join AMES faculty and other AMES students for speakers, cultural programming, and intellectually engaged conversations. We sponsor and co-sponsor events for the whole campus, including Diwali celebrations in the Fall, Chinese New Year in the winter, and Holi in the spring. We invite speakers through the James P. Storer Fund to enrich the whole campus.

Study Abroad

The Asian and Middle East Studies program encourages study abroad and endorses a variety of programs in Asia and the Middle East. You will have a chance in our classes prepare for your Study Abroad program before you go and to incorporate your experiences when you return.

After Kenyon

See the Kenyon Career Network for internships and externships in Asia and the Middle East. Also consider applying for a Fulbright, a Critical Language Fellowship, a Luce Scholarship, the JET program teaching English in Japan, or the Schwarzman scholarship to study business in China.