Department of Asian Studies

Equipping you for the next century

Understanding the Asian region is vital to the future. We offer insights into the traditions, modern cultures and contemporary societies of Asia.

Australia today is more deeply connected with Asia than ever before – through immigration, tourism, culture, commerce and trade, and strategic alliances. As our lives are increasingly influenced by the economies and cultures of Asia, it is important to develop cultural and social understanding of this emerging global leader.

Our wide-ranging research and teaching focuses on traditional cultures, philosophies, religion and the full span of Asian History, as well as issues in modern and contemporary Asian societies. We cover the social, political and cultural developments and trends with expertise from the Departments of Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Chinese and Indian Subcontinental Studies.

We examine ethnicity and the movement of peoples; religions and belief systems; and the economic and political relationships between Asia and other parts of the world. We also look at key movements and effects of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as nationalism, revolution, military rule, democracy and popular culture including manga and K-Pop.

Our study offering

Asian Studies

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding this region is of vital importance. Asian Studies will help you develop a critical insight into the world of Asia by exploring the most important cultural, historical, social and political trends and issues in relation to China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Undergraduate

*Available as a major and minor within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies  degrees.  

Research

Our research

Our strengths in research cover the following areas:

Mass media
Religion
Ancient philosophy
State and society
Asian languages
Literature
History

Learn more: Languages and cultures research

Exchange

Our students can also apply to study for a semester overseas at one of several universities that have exchange agreements with Sydney, with credit points gained at these universities counting towards their degree. The University of Sydney holds several agreements with universities in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Learn more: Study abroad and student exchange

Our people

Academic staff

Key academic contacts

Undergraduate Coordinator: adrian.vickers@sydney.edu.au
Honours Coordinator: sean.moores@sydney.edu.au
Postgraduate Research Coordinator: chiewhui.ho@sydney.edu.au
Exchange Coordinator: lionel.babicz@sydney.edu.au

Honorary Associates

Bob Hudson
Jacqueline Menzies
Martin Polkinghorne
Jeffrey Riegel
Peter Worsley

Events

Visit the School's Events calendar to see our full listing of upcoming events.

UPDATE: In light of COVID-19 developments, please be advised this University event will no longer take place in the short term. Some of our events are transitioning to online, and these will be advertised accordingly. Let us know what event you're interested in via our online form, and we'll update you as the situation changes.

Learn more about the University’s advice regarding COVID-19 here.

World Literatures and the Global South Conference

The third international congress of the World Literature Association on 'World Literatures and the Global South' was proudly hosted by the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney from 23–25 August 2019.

Co-convened with the Peking University Australian Studies Centre and the World Literature Association, this international conference engaged with literary production on and from the Global South in their own languages as well as in translation.

Learn more