Our Program
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers the unified major and minor in East Asian Languages and Cultures which allows students to explore three linguistic and cultural traditions: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Students may pursue a focused approach to their studies by studying one of our languages and may choose among the range of non-language courses to enhance their grounding in the East Asian nation of their choice. Students may also choose to study across disciplinary and geographic boundaries. Majors who opt to focus their requirements in one of our three East Asia civilizations may earn a specialization in Chinese/Japanese/Korean which appears on the transcript after graduation. Our language programs offer a full sequence of courses in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
The EALC major provides advanced training in the chosen language and a sound background in the relevant literature while encouraging students to enhance their cultural knowledge by enrolling in cultural-related courses offered through other departments and programs, such as Anthropology, Art History, Film and Media Studies, History, Performing Arts, and Religious Studies. A major in EALC opens up career opportunities in diplomacy, business, law, journalism, and higher education, in addition to preparation for further study in the relevant languages and cultures. Students who major in EALC will be equipped with the sort of training in East Asian languages and cultures that will best prepare them to be productive scholars and professionals, and educated global citizens.
Study Abroad
Majors are highly encouraged to participate in Washington University-approved summer, semester, or academic year study-abroad programs as an important way to develop both their practical knowledge and their cultural sensitivity.
The Languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean
The modern Chinese language curriculum is arranged in a five-year sequence of courses offering a balanced emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. EALC also offers three levels of Heritage Chinese for students who speak Chinese at home, but may not have had formal training in Chinese.
Japanese offers four years of language training in an intensive, interactive classroom experience, and aims at fostering natural fluency and cultural competence from the very beginning stages of study.
The four-year Korean language program enables students to attain a high level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, and to acquire the cultural knowledge and competency needed to communicate effectively in a Korean environment.
Each language program offers its students chances for language practice outside the classroom with extracurricular activities, including language tables, cultural events, and guest lectures.
The Literatures and Cultures of East Asia
EALC faculty teach a wide range of literature and cultural courses, offering students opportunities to discover the rich and unique cultures and literary traditions of China, Japan, and Korea. EALC students can explore the rich interconnectivity that represents the global trends that have long shaped, and continue to shape, East Asia.
