East Asian Studies

Professors: Frost, Sugimori (Chair), Weng, White, Yang

East Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary major that introduces students to the region that includes China, Japan, and Korea. Home to some of the world’s most ancient and complex cultures, today East Asia remains a powerful locus of global trade, finance, and popular culture, as well as a region of significant geopolitical interest. East Asian Studies majors at Kalamazoo College combine required courses, study abroad experiences, and elective classes to develop extensive knowledge of a specific country (China, Japan, or Korea) and broader familiarity with the region as a whole. The major requires at least six units of either Chinese or Japanese (or demonstrated equivalency) and at least a one quarter (three-unit) study abroad in China, Japan, or Korea. In addition to language courses in Chinese or Japanese, students take courses taught in English on the literatures, histories, cultures, and societies of China, Japan, and Korea. East Asian Studies faculty members work with students to craft plans of study that suit their interests and goals. The skills and cross-cultural expertise that East Asian Studies majors acquire are applicable in a wide variety of career fields, including, but not limited to, education, business, government, law, and communications.

Students interested in the major are strongly advised to begin language study as early as possible in order to maximize their experiences abroad. Students should also consult with East Asian Studies faculty early in their time at Kalamazoo College to craft appropriate plans of study. Whether planning to attend graduate school or to seek employment in an East Asia-related occupation, students are also encouraged to pursue coursework in another specific disciplinary area in order to enrich their qualifications.

Due to the overlap in requirements, it is not possible for students to major in East Asian Studies and minor in Chinese or Japanese unless they are pursuing coursework in both languages.

Requirements for the Major

Number of Units

8 units; not including SIP or language classes through CHIN 203 or JAPN 203. Students interested in completing SIPS in EAS, or in the Japanese or Chinese programs are encouraged to undertake them in the Fall Term in conjunction with the senior seminar and should consult with potential advisors as early as possible.

Required Courses

Required courses develop language skills and expertise related to specific countries and familiarize students with the history and culture of the region as a whole. With approval of the director, courses with relevant East Asian content not currently listed here (e.g., one-time offerings by visiting faculty) can be applied to the relevant categories.

  1. Language courses (Note: these courses do not count toward the 8-unit total)
    CHIN 201, 202, 203 (or demonstrated equivalent competence at CHIN 203 or higher)
    or
    JAPN 201, 202, 203 (or demonstrated equivalent competence at JAPN 203 or higher)
  2. HIST 103 Introduction to East Asian Civilizations (1 unit)
  3. One history course taken on campus (1 unit)
    From among HIST 280, HIST 282, HIST 283, HIST 285, HIST 287
  4. One literature course taken on campus (1 unit)
    From among CHIN 224, CHIN 235, CHIN 280, JAPN-236, JAPN 238, JAPN 239, or JAPN 255
  5. One culture and society course taken on campus (1 unit)
    From among CHIN 222, CHIN 240 CHIN 245, CHIN 250, CHIN 270, JAPN 240, JAPN 245, JAPN 250, JAPN 260, RELG 270, SEMN 201, SEMN 270
  6. Senior Seminar (1 unit)
    EAST 490 East Asian Studies Senior Seminar

Electives (3 units)

Elective courses offer students the opportunity to explore East Asia through a variety of disciplinary approaches. Majors will take three courses from at least two categories listed below. Students who wish to count on-campus courses related to East Asia that are not on the list below should consult the director. With approval of the director, students may count as an elective one non-language course from a long-term (six-unit) study abroad program or two non-language courses from an extended term (nine-unit) program.

  • Advanced Language: CHIN 300, CHIN 301, JAPN 301, JAPN 302
  • Literature: CHIN 224, CHIN 235, CHIN 280, JAPN 236, JAPN 238, JAPN 239, JAPN 255
  • Culture and Society: CHIN 222, CHIN 240, CHIN 245, CHIN 250, CHIN 270, JAPN 240, JAPN 245, JAPN 250, JAPN 260, RELG 270, SEMN 201, SEMN 270
  • History: HIST 280, HIST 282, HIST 283, HIST 285, HIST 288, HIST 289, HIST 397
  • Arts: THEA 290
  • Social Sciences: ANSO 220, ANSO 288

Study Abroad:

Students must complete at least a one quarter (three-unit) study abroad in China, Japan, or Korea.

East Asian Studies Courses

EAST 490 Sr. Sem: East Asia in & Beyond Media Intended as a capstone to the East Asian Studies major, the senior seminar will offer focused interdisciplinary discussions on a variety of issues in contemporary East Asia, with particular attention to media representations of these issues and the region more generally. Specific topics will change from year to year and will be selected in consultations between the instructor and enrolled students. It is also designed to support seniors during the SIP process. Required of East Asian Studies majors; open to non-majors with instructor permission. Open to Seniors only.
EAST 593 Senior Integrated Project (sip) Each program or department sets its own requirements for Senior Individualized Projects done in that department, including the range of acceptable projects, the required background of students doing projects, the format of the SIP, and the expected scope and depth of projects. See the Kalamazoo Curriculum -> Curriculum Details and Policies section of the Academic Catalog for more details. Permission of department and SIP supervisor required.
EAST 600 Teaching Assistantship