ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Asian studies in the context of the actualities of American liberal arts colleges and liberal education. It suggests that while Asian studies programs became part of the undergraduate curriculum somewhat by the back door, they have gained a commanding place in liberal education. While many members of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) were teachers in liberal arts colleges, scholars from the graduate programs in the larger universities dominated it in its early years. Giving scholarly substance to the grand themes of historical development in Asia makes all the more essential the detailed knowledge of time and place that is the proper domain of Asian studies. Integration of Asian studies in the liberal arts curriculum was stressed in the past, but more strenuous efforts will be needed to stabilize the achievements of programs and to maintain momentum for developing innovative programs to meet new challenges.
