Area studies does not merely aim to study the language of the target area or to acquire the knowledge of its society, politics, economy, and culture. Although it is certainly important to possess a deep and systematic understanding of the target area, it is even more crucial to have an in-depth, locally oriented comprehension of how its peculiar culture and society are formed from an inside perspective.
Area studies requires an interdisciplinary approach that employs methodologies from a range of academic disciplines, while relying on the methodologies from a specific academic field, such as sociology, anthropology, history, or archaeology. Consequently, evaluating the circumstances under which a particular area developed socioeconomically requires not only sociology and economics but also a historical perspective to ascertain the manner in which the region evolved over the years and the methodologies from cultural anthropology which aim to clarify the social organization and value systems of people.
It is not very easy to master foreign languages for research purposes. Nowadays, English is widely used as the standard language (the international language) for all practical purposes; however, being able to appreciate a region in a more intimate manner demands a good command over the local language, such as Spanish or Portuguese (spoken in Brazil) in the case of Latin America. Hence, students who are interested in pursuing a specialized research through our Doctoral program may be required to learn the language of a minority population or any other form of local lingua franca used in the study region. Moreover, they may be required to study abroad in the target region, conduct literature reviews in local archives, or engage in extensive fieldwork.