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The Center for Asian Studies is excited to announce that CU Boulder students who are interested in learning about the Tibet and Himalayan region are now able to pursue a certificate in Tibetan and Himalayan studies. Culturally and ethnically Tibetan areas constitute ¼ of the land area of the People’s Republic of China -- roughly the size of Western Europe -- as well as the country of Bhutan and parts of north India, Nepal, and Pakistan. As a focus of tension between the two Asian superpowers of India and China, this region is geopolitically crucial. The region is known as “the Third Pole'' and home to the headwaters of seven of Asia’s major rivers. It is a hotspot for global climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

CU Boulder is a leading center of research, teaching, and scholarship on Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, as well as environmental sciences, including climatology, hydrology, ecology, and geology.  Expertise on the region includes strong faculty leadership in the departments of Anthropology, Geography, and Religious Studies and the Tibet Himalaya Initiative (THI), a multidisciplinary hub for research, teaching, and public engagement on Tibet and the greater Himalaya region housed within the Center for Asian Studies. The town of Boulder, CO itself is a significant location in the history and spread of Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

Requirements for the Certificate in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies

Total Credit Hours: 18
Introductory Course (3 credits required): Choose one.
ASIA 1700: Introduction to Tibetan Civilization
ANTH 1105: Exploring a Non-Western Culture: Tibet

Language Courses (6 credits required):

Courses in Tibetan (TBTN), Chinese (CHIN), or Hindi/Urdu (HIND) language are accepted. 

Upper Division Requirements (9 credits required on campus):

One ASIA course focused on Tibet (e.g., ASIA 4300, ASIA 4600, ASIA 4700).
One additional course from ANTH, GEOG, or RLSTfocused on Tibet (e.g., ANTH 4180, GEOG 3832).

Electives (3 credits required):

Choose from additional eligible courses like RLST 3550 (Tibetan Buddhism) or RLST 3750 (Women in Buddhism).
Students may transfer up to 6 credits from lower or upper division courses, including credits from study abroad. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C- or better.

 Language courses:

Students interested in Tibet and Himalaya Studies have the opportunity to pursue study in four languages that are spoken in the region: Tibetan (TBTN), Hindi/Urdu (HIND), and Mandarin (CHIN). 

If you are interested in pursuing this certificate or have any questions you can reach out to Asian Studies program director Dr. Lauren Collins (collinlk@colorado.edu) or teaching assistant professor Dr. Dan Hirshberg (dan.hirshberg@colorado.edu)