Chinese & Japanese

Chinese major and East Asian Studies Concentration: these programs support a wide range of courses on China. For majors and concentrators, who are expected to become proficient speakers and readers of Chinese, there is a comprehensive sequence of courses in modern and classical Chinese. The language sequence is Chinese 101, 102, 221, 222, 331, 332, 461 and 498. Students intending to major in Chinese should take Chinese 101-2 in their first year of college.

The program in Japanese Studiessupports a wide range of courses on Japan. For students who wish a concentration in East Asian Studies, or who simply wish to become proficient speakers and readers of Japanese, there is a comprehensive sequence of courses in modern Japanese. The basic three-year language sequence is Japanese 101, 102, 221, 222, 331, and 332.

Students are encouraged to accelerate their progress in either language by attending intensive summer programs or through a semester of off-campus study. Students should contact the Off-Campus Study Office or the Department of Chinese and Japanese for suitable programs.

Non-majors may opt to earn a Concentration in East Asian Studies. For students with no prior language training, there are substantial offerings in the departments of History, Political Science, and Religious Studies, in addition to courses in Chinese Literature and Philosophy (in translation) in the Chinese Department (cross-listed with General Literary Studies). Humanities/Social Sciences 131 ("China's Ancient World") serves as the gateway course to the offerings of the program.

The following is a possible four-year plan to complete a major in Chinese. There is no formal major offered in Japanese.