The Asian Studies Programme is concerned with the history, culture and society of the Asian countries, primarily China, Japan and India/South Asia, with a focus on modern times. The academic staff represent different backgrounds, such as history, sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, but they all apply an area studies approach to their research. This means that a sound knowledge of the languages of the countries in question is essential in order to be able to understand the Asian perspectives on all the phenomena being investigated. It is the aim to understand these phenomena in their historical, cultural and social contexts.

Research environment

The researchers at Asian Studies are involved in networks with colleagues in Scandinavia and with environments in Europe, the United States and, not least, Asia. Many of the programme's research activities are based on fieldwork and archival work in collaboration with colleagues from Asian research institutions. In addition to strengths in the culture and society of the individual Asian countries, there is an increased focus on analyses of the interplay between the Asian countries and their relations to the rest of the world.

Degree programmes

The Asian Studies Programme offers Bachelor's degree programmes in Chinese, Japanese and South Asian studies and a Master's degree programme in Asian studies, where students specialise in one of the countries and its language, placing their work in a comparative context.