Asian Studies (AS) is a demanding but flexible program that provides students with a groundwork in Asian language, an overview of the theories and methods of a particular discipline, and a broad range of interdisciplinary course work in one of four geographical areas: China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Asian Studies also offers four minors: Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, and Southeast Asian Studies.

Development Studies (DS) addresses the problems, processes, and prospects for the development of human and material resources in less developed areas of the world. The issues of development are urgent, massive, and enormously complex. They require an analysis that draws upon many disciplines and a balanced understanding of historical and contemporary processes. The program is organized as a three-tiered framework focusing on (1) a discipline, (2) a geographic area, and (3) a set of methodological skills within which students are challenged to blend the knowledge and perspectives of political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, geography, history, and the resource and environmental sciences.

Latin American Studies (LAS) provides a broad and multi-dimensional perspective on the Latin American region for students whose interests expand beyond the offerings of a single department. After establishing a solid foundation in language, history, and literature, students then organize their programs around either a humanities or social science approach to their specific geographical or intellectual interest. The major requires the synthesis of knowledge from a number of disciplines and thus provides students with the background and intellectual skills needed for a career focussing on Latin America or for graduate school.

Middle Eastern Studies (MES) offers an opportunity to study a region of historic and cultural importance whose current development is integral to the political, economic, and cultural development of western society. Inclusive of the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, and Israel, the program allows students to pursue a wide course of study of Middle Eastern culture and history, its basic geographic, demographic, and ethnographic characteristics, as well as the recent political, economic, social, and cultural changes. Students are required to learn at least one modern Middle Eastern language.

Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) introduces students to the study of peace, conflict, and world order from social, economic, political, historical, and ecological dimensions. Integral to the study is a critical analysis of the structures and processes of change. Students are encouraged to recognize the linkage between the academic study of peace and active participation in it. Since the causes of conflict and the processes of peace are multifaceted and complex, students are expected to approach their study from the perspective of a number of disciplines. They must also define and develop a central theme or concentration to explore in depth. The major is organized into four components: core PACS courses, survey courses, the area of concentration, and a social diversity requirement.

Political Economy of Industrial Societies (PEIS) introduces students to issues relating to the relationship between politics and economics in modern societies. Special attention is given to problems of both domestic and international policy. Based on the assumption that society, culture, geography, and demographics affect the interaction between politics and economics, the curriculum is both multi- and interdisciplinary in scope. It is designed to provide a broad-based liberal arts background as well as the intellectual skills applicable to careers in either the public or private sector. Additionally, the major provides excellent background for students planning postgraduate careers in social science disciplines and professional schools.