Asian Conversations (ASCON)

From politics to pop culture, economics to the environment, never has Asia been more important to the world, as we embrace an increasingly interconnected and globalized 21st century.  Asian Conversations (ASCON) seeks motivated and adventurous students who are interested in joining a high-impact learning community about Asia, along with a sequence of Chinese or Japanese language study for their first two years of college.  The program is dedicated to provide students with a comprehensive global perspective with exceptional disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches on Asia (such as art, history, linguistics, literature, political science, and religion) as well as a faculty-led experiential January Term to China and Japan during the sophomore year.  Students from all academic backgrounds and pathways are welcome, as long as they are committed to the study of Asia.  Asian Conversations highlights critical thinking, inclusive conversation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the better understanding of not only Asian languages and societies but also the development of our students to become skillful, thoughtful, and impactful global citizens.