Asia is home to the majority of the world's population and to an
array of distinct cultures with ancient pasts and vibrant
presents. Among its nations, China is the world's most populous
country, followed by India. Indonesia has the largest Muslim
population in the world. The religions of Buddhism, Hinduism,
Confucianism, Taoism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Shinto all began in
Asia. It is the source of some of the most enduring works of art
and literature in history, as well as some of the most current
cultural forms, from Hindi film music to Hong Kong action
cinema. The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) is
a center for the exploration of the humanities of Asia, where
students are invited to cross the boundaries of nations
(including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea) and of
disciplines (including literature, film, language, religion, and
history) in order develop two vital qualities: a deep local
knowledge and a broad global perspective. The department offers
instruction in the cultures of S