East Asian Studies

Introduction

The East Asian Studies program is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on East Asia, particularly on China and Japan. East Asia plays an increasingly important role in international cultural, economic, and political affairs.  East Asian Studies is intended to help students put this area in proper perspective and give a truly international dimension to a liberal arts education.  A deeply rooted, and thoroughly integrated, understanding of Chinese, Japanese and other Asian civilizations and their place in the world is provided both by extensive training in language and literature and by work in other disciplines that contribute courses to the program.

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

EASN 101, Introduction to East Asian Studies

In addition, HIST 120, East Asia, and most 200 level EASN topics courses are open to first-year students and all fulfill major and Comparative Civilization requirements. Students concerned about the level of difficulty should check with the instructors of specific courses.

Each East Asian Studies major must complete either CHIN 211, 212, Intermediate Chinese or JPNS 211, 212, Intermediate Japanese.  Students interested in majoring in East Asian Studies should begin the language sequence in either Chinese or Japanese as early as possible (see Chinese and Japanese language section below).

Introductory courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Division IB:     
 EASN 201 & 203, Chinese Literature
 EASN 202 & 203, Japanese Literature
 EASN 205, Topics in East Asian Humanities

Division II:      
EASN 206, Topics in East Asian Society 

Comparative Civilizations:      
EASN 201 & 203, Chinese Literature
EASN 202 & 203, Japanese Literature 
EASN 205, Electives in East Asian Humanities
EASN 206, Electives in East Asian Society

For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: East Asian Studies. 

Chinese

 Introduction 
China’s impact throughout Asian history and now in the world at large cannot be ignored. Chinese language study is an excellent means to become acquainted with this important political, economic and cultural force.  Studying the Chinese language also offers an exciting way to meet Dickinson’s language requirement.  Chinese language courses at Dickinson are designed to be a broad introduction to the language.  The four-semester sequence covers language texts in spoken and written Chinese, computer use in writing and translation, and oral practice with recordings posted on Moodle.  Students are also exposed to Chinese culture and literature, including poetry, fiction, and Chinese films.  Students would be prepared to study abroad in our Beijing program.  A five-course minor in Chinese is available for students who major in other areas.

For Students who have studied Chinese in high school:  
First-year students who have had Chinese before should contact Professor Rae Yang to determine their levels of proficiency for enrollment in the appropriate levels of Chinese.

To begin Chinese:  
Students should select CHIN 101, Elementary Chinese.  The four-semester sequence begins in the fall only.

The introductory four-semester sequence is intended for students with limited or no prior knowledge of Chinese.  The goal is to provide the student with the essential tools for conversation, reading and writing in modern Chinese, and the foundation for further study, whether for full fluency or to use Chinese as a useful research tool in other fields of study.  Completion of the four-semester sequence (CHIN 101, 102, 211, 212) or a higher-level course will fulfill the language requirement.

The study of Chinese is open to all students. 

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements  

Language requirement:  Completion at the intermediate level, Chinese 212 or above

Writing Requirement: CHIN 380

For course  descriptions, refer to the Academic Bulletin: East Asian Studies. 

Opportunities for off-campus study  

Students may take their junior year abroad at the Dickinson Program at Peking University in Beijing, China.  In addition to regular language courses in the fall semester, the program offers a special culture course that involves more than ten field trips around Beijing to places such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and a traditional tea house.

In spring semester, continuing students who have gained language proficiency may elect to do an internship at American, joint-venture and Chinese enterprises.  Interested students should contact Professor Rae Yang for more information.

Additional remarks

Careers:  Students study Chinese for a variety of reasons.  Those who want to go into business, government, or international law, may find that proficiency in Chinese language and familiarity with Chinese culture extremely useful for their future careers.   

Japanese

Introduction
Japan's relationship with the United States and the rest of the world is so significant that it becomes increasingly helpful to acquire the linguistic skills that enable one to gain an access to this important cultural, economic, and political force.  The study of Japanese also offers an exciting way to meet the Dickinson language requirement.

To continue with the study of Japanese: 
First-year students who have had Japanese in high school should contact Professor Alex Bates to determine their levels of proficiency to enroll in the appropriate level of Japanese.

To begin Japanese:  
Students should select JPNS 101, Elementary Japanese.  The four-semester sequence begins in the fall.

The introductory four-semester sequence is intended for students with limited or no prior knowledge of Japanese.  The goal is to provide the student with the essential tools for conversation, reading and writing in modern Japanese, and the foundation for further study, whether for full fluency or to use Japanese as a useful research tool in other fields of study.  A five-course minor in Japanese is available for students who take the language to the advanced level.

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Language requirement:  Completion at the intermediate level, JPNS 212, or above

For course descriptions, refer to the Academic Bulletin: East Asian Studies.

 Opportunities for off-campus study 
Students may take their junior year abroad at the Dickinson Programs at either Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, or Akita International University in Akita, Japan. Akita is a new exchange program, which began 2010.  Interested students should contact Professor Alex Bates.