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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University is now offering a minor in Asian studies to meet a growing demand for interdisciplinary studies that address the importance of being able to work in a global economy.

According to Bryan Tilt, an assistant professor of anthropology and co-chair of the new program, an Asian studies minor will provide an opportunity for students majoring in fields such as business, engineering, or sciences who will be working in Asia or with Asian populations to gain a significant degree of cultural literacy that will be critical for their professional success.

"Increasingly, it is critical in almost any field to have Asian cultural literacy," Tilt said. "Knowledge of other cultures and traditions is not just for liberal arts students. It should be essential for all OSU students."

Course offerings are drawn from a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including anthropology, ethnic studies, foreign languages, history, philosophy, and political science. Faculty members Tilt, Hua-yu Li in political science, Jim Blumenthal in philosophy, Hung-Yok Ip in history, and Jun Xing in ethnic studies were all part of the team that put the new program together.

Tilt said the program is also a supplement to a traditional liberal arts major for students with particular interests in Asia, who want to study abroad, or who plan to go on to do graduate work in areas with concentrations in aspects of Asia.

More information is available online at http://oregonstate.edu/cla/asian-studies-program