Asian studies brings together an interdisciplinary group of faculty, staff, and students devoted to the study of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The major combines the study of an Asian language (Chinese or Japanese) and non-language courses in literature, history, philosophy, political science, sociology, and art history. Asian countries account for more than half the world's population. This fact, combined with Asia's strong economic growth trends, ensures that Asian people, culture, and business will become an increasingly important world influence during students lifetimes.<br><br>All liberal arts majors prepare students with the skills identified as contributing to managerial success: communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, creative/critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to make connections across complex ideas.