East Asian Languages and Literatures

专业详情

The major in East Asian Languages and Literatures provides rigorous training in the study of East Asian languages, literatures, cultures, and thought from ancient times through the present, with a strong focus on the reading and analysis of texts, theater, film, and other forms of media. Students select either the Chinese or the Japanese track but are encouraged to take courses in both tracks to become familiar with East Asian literary culture more broadly. The major is excellent preparation for careers including business, law, academia, foreign service, translation, and journalism that demand advanced linguistic proficiency and analytical sophistication. East Asian Languages and Literatures graduates have gone on to careers in law, business, medicine, academia, film, translation, teaching, and diplomacy.

Courses for Nonmajors

All courses offered by the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures are open to nonmajors.

Course Numbering

Language courses use the subject codes CHNS, JAPN, or KREN. Multiple-titled courses that include CHNS and JAPN subject codes and are numbered 200–299 are taught in English with some sections taught in Chinese or Japanese. Courses with the subject code EALL are content courses whose focus is critical and humanistic; those numbered 200–299 are introductory, and those numbered 300–399 are advanced. Courses numbered EALL 001–099 are First-Year Seminars with topics on East Asian literature, film, and humanities. 

Prerequisite

Candidates for the major must complete CHNS 140 or JAPN 140 or the equivalent.

Placement Procedures

Students who enroll in the department’s language courses for the first time but who have studied Chinese, Japanese, or Korean elsewhere, and students who have skills in one of these languages because of family background, must take a placement examination before the beginning of the academic year. These exams can be accessed via the department website and must be completed before the end of July. Students of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean who are returning from programs abroad must take a placement examination, unless the coursework was completed at an institution preapproved by the Richard U. Light Fellowship program. For questions, consult with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS).

Requirements of the Major

The major consists of at least eleven term courses beyond the prerequisite. Students must take two terms of advanced modern Chinese (CHNS 150 and 151 or equivalents) or advanced Japanese (JAPN 150 and 151 or equivalents), as well as two terms of literary Chinese or Japanese (CHNS 170 and 171, or JAPN 170 and 171). Students also take a survey course in Chinese, Japanese, or East Asian history and culture, preferably early in their studies. Three courses are required in literature in translation, taught in English, selected from EALL 200–399; one must be focused primarily on premodern content. These three may include courses on theater and film. In addition, two advanced courses with readings in literary or modern Chinese and/or Japanese are required.

Credit/D/Fail A maximum of one course taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the requirements of the major, with permission of the DUS.

Senior Requirement

Students prepare a one-term senior essay in EALL 491 or a yearlong senior essay in EALL 492 and 493. Those who elect a yearlong essay effectively commit to taking twelve term courses in the major, because the second term of the essay may not be substituted for any of the eleven required courses.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad. Interested students should consult with the DUS and with the office of the Richard U. Light Fellowship to apply for support for programs in China, Japan, and Korea.