Is a double major in History + Asian Studies (Comparative Asia) at Berea feasible while completing all GSTRs?

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Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s realistic to double major in History (B.A.) and Asian Studies with the Comparative Asia concentration at Berea, while also completing all General Education (GSTR) requirements. I’m not asking about study abroad right now—just the on-campus plan and whether it fits in 4 years without overloads or summer courses.

GSTRs I know I need:

· GSTR 110 – Writing Seminar I: Critical Thinking in the Liberal Arts

· GSTR 210 – Writing Seminar II: Identity and Diversity in the United States

· GSTR 310 – Understandings of Christianity

· GSTR 332 – Scientific Origins

· GSTR 410 – Seminar in Contemporary Global Issues

Plus the perspectives/experiential requirements.

History courses I’m planning/considering:

· HIS 127 – Traces of the Global Past II

· HIS 129 – Classical Roman Civilization

· HIS 133 – History of Pre-Modern Middle East

· HIS 161 – American History to 1865

· HIS 200 – Introduction to Historical Study

· HIS 320 – Topical Seminar in Global History

· HIS 324 – [300-level History elective; exact title may vary]

· HIS 406 – Senior Research Seminar

Asian Studies courses I’m planning/considering:

· AST 100 – Introduction to Asian Studies

· AST/HIS 122 – History of China

· AST 132 – Religions of China

· AST/HIS 229 – Contesting Empires

· AST 243 – The Silk Road

· AST 249 – Topics in Asian Art

· AST 271 – South Asian Philosophy

· AST 324A – Seminar in Asian History

· AST 401 – Senior Seminar in Asian Studies

Questions:

  1. Has anyone done this double major (or something close)? How many courses per semester did you take? Did you need overloads or summer courses?

  2. Do any of these courses double-count for GSTR perspectives? Which ones?

  3. Is it better to do a major + minor instead (e.g., History major + Asian Studies minor, or vice versa) if I also want a PSJ minor?

  4. Any sequencing advice for HIS 200, HIS 406, AST 100, AST 401, and the 300-level AST requirement?

  5. Am I missing any required distribution areas (US, African American, regional, global, pre-1700)?

For context, I’m a native Spanish speaker, so I may be able to waive the History language requirement—has anyone done that?

TL;DR: Can I double major in History and Asian Studies (Comparative Asia) at Berea and still complete all GSTRs in 4 years, or should I do a major + minor? Any advice appreciated!

Posted Sep 21, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC

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