The contributors place the development of Asian studies programs in small colleges in historical context, make a compelling case for the inclusion of Asian studies in the liberal arts curriculum, and consider the challenges faced in developing and sustaining Asian studies programs and ways of meeting such challenges now and in the future.

This book discusses liberal arts education and liberal arts colleges in the context of East Asia, specifically focusing on Japan, China and S. Korea where it has become an emerging issue in higher education in recent years. It first explores the development, concepts and challenges of liberal arts education and liberal arts colleges in East Asia. It then delineates the implications of the best practices of selected liberal arts colleges inside and outside East Asia, and offers policy and pedagogical guidelines for the future of liberal arts colleges and programs in East Asia and beyond.

The contributors place the development of Asian studies programs in small colleges in historical context, make a compelling case for the inclusion of Asian studies in the liberal arts curriculum, and consider the challenges faced in developing and sustaining Asian studies programs and ways of meeting such challenges now and in the future.