Contemporary Asian Studies Program

Asia is home to more than half the world's population. Its cultural and historical complexity is endless, its economic growth unprecedented, and its global influence unmatched.

The Contemporary Asian Studies program (CAS) offers a thematically driven approach to understanding the complexity of issues facing today's Asia. It examines the linkages between Asia's history and culture, its emergence on the global stage, and its future in the global arena. CAS courses are distinctly pan-Asian in geographic scope, providing empirical and critical coverage of South, Southeast, and East Asia through multiple disciplinary approaches, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, religion, and sociology.

By exposing students to current issues and debates in Asia, the CAS program is designed to prepare students for careers in or about Asia. In addition, the Asian Institute is committed to facilitating overseas experiential learning opportunities, including field schools, international course modules, professional internships, and study abroad opportunities. Upper-level CAS courses are designed to be research-intensive. There is no language requirement for the CAS major or minor. However, students are strongly encouraged to study an Asian language. 1.0 credit in an approved Asian language can be credited towards the major or minor degree.

Students may also be interested in the South Asian Studies minor, which is closely connected with the Contemporary Asian Studies program.

NOTE: Students who wish to count courses towards the CAS major or minor that are not listed as CAS courses or in Group A, B, or C of the program completion requirements (including U of T courses and transfer credits) must seek pre-approval from the program advisor prior to taking the course. Asian content does not guarantee that the course will be approved for CAS program credit.

Contact Information

Katherine MacIvor, Program Advisor
Asian Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
1 Devonshire Place, room 228N
ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca  
416-946-8832

Use the University of Toronto International Application if you:

• currently reside outside of Canada, AND 
• are not currently studying, and have not previously studied in Canada, AND
• are not applying to any other Ontario university

Prospective international applicants who wish to apply to other Ontario universities in addition to the University of Toronto should use the OUAC 105 Application (see below).

If you have already applied with the OUAC 105 Application, you do not need to apply to the University of Toronto with the International Application. (If you submit both applications, your second application will be cancelled with no possibility of a refund.)

Note that you will need to pay a non-refundable fee of $180.

University of Toronto has contracted with the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) to provide application processing services. When you begin the application process, you will be transferred to the OUAC website where you will complete and submit your application. You will be required to create an OUAC Account (if you do not already have one). You may have only one OUAC Account. Direct any application process questions to the OUAC.