Guided Pathways: Asian History

Asia is the size of North and South America combined with nearly six times the population of Europe. It accounts for over one-third of the entire world's Gross Domestic Product. The study of Asian history extends from India to Japan and Indonesia to Mongolia, from the early Indus River and Yangzi River civilizations 5,000 years ago to the very present global economy. Connections between Asia and Utah and the intermountain West run deep in modern history from the railroads and mines to current businesses in cosmetics, sportswear and pharmaceuticals. The range of courses related to Asia complement those in World Languages and Literature, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Art History, International Studies, Film Studies, Social Work, Architecture, Environmental Studies, and even Medicine and the Physical Sciences. The study of Asia’s past is highly relevant to current concerns in the US, and in recent years, students of Asian history have gone on to careers in computer graphics and animation, game design, finance, international law, foreign liaison service, military intelligence, microbiology, sustainability consulting, and museum work, as well as post-graduate studies at elite institutions.