Where to Start

The first thing you need to do to get a degree in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is to choose the region in which you want to focus. You may choose to focus your major in one of two different tracks. AMES also has four different minors.

Core Course

Majors must, and minors are encouraged to, take AMES 250 - Critical Issues in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. This course will orient you to the field and give you an idea of what interdisciplinary study is like. This broad overview is especially useful if you're unsure about where to focus your studies. It also counts as a COLL 200. If you have any interest in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, start with this course.

Language Requirement

AMES concentration tracks in East Asian and Middle Eastern Studies have a language requirement that goes beyond W&M's proficiency requirement: you will either take two courses above the 300-level in one language, or take courses to the 202 level in two languages. If you do not have experience with a Middle Eastern or Asian language, get going on one of the approved languages right away. You should be aware that only six credits of language courses will count towards your major. Introductory language courses will not count towards your major, though they can count towards the 120 credits you need for graduation.

Students following the course of study for the major concentration, Comparative AMES should check the worksheet under the tab Concentration in AMES.

Looking Ahead

Look through the degree requirements listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. Look for courses you want to take in the future, and check them for prerequisites. The sooner you can take the prerequite courses, the better.

If you have questions, talk to a professor who teaches courses on the region you're interested in studying or the Director of the AMES program.