East Asian Studies Concentration in International & Area Studies

If you have particular interest in the cultures and societies of East Asia, but would like to study them from a comparative, interdisciplinary perspective, you should choose this concentration. From the ancient foundations of East Asia to its most recent transformations, this program offers a wide range of courses. Washington University is one of the oldest centers for the study of China and Japan in the United States, which now also includes selected coursework on Korea. In modern Chinese and Japanese language, we offer courses through the advanced level, in addition to classical language study. You may pursue Korean language study through the intermediate level.

Students wishing to declare a major/minor in East Asian Studies should contact Toni Loomis, McMillan 254, 935-5073.

Major in East Asian Studies/International and Area Studies

For a major in IAS with a concentration in East Asian Studies, you are required to complete:

• Crossing Borders (3 credits)
• One core civilization course (you may choose from EAS 227 Chinese Civilization, EAS 226 Japanese Civilization, or EAS 223 Korean Civilization) (3 credits)
• A world-area focused course outside of the EAS concentration (3 credits)
• 18 credits of advanced coursework with East Asian content. Within those 18 credits, you 1) may count no more than 6 credits of advanced language study; 2) must take courses offered by at least three different departments (Anthropology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Economics, Film, History, Music and Political Science); 3) must balance your area emphasis (depending on whether you emphasize Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, you must take at least one course in one of the other areas); 4) must include at least 3 credits of a 400 level course.
• No more than 6 units may be from a semester of study abroad (9 units from a year of study abroad) (400 level credits must be earned on campus or in WU courses taught abroad).
• For those who do not study abroad, an additional 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level is required.
• No more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research or internships excluding the honors thesis.
• The 18 – 21 advanced units must be unique to the IAS major.
• If your prime major is IAS, you must participate in a capstone experience. This may take the form of an honors thesis, a senior project, or a specially designated 400 level course. For more details, see the handbook section on capstone experiences.
• Total is a minimum of 27 – 30 graded credits. 

Minor in East Asian Studies/International and Area Studies

18 graded units plus 4 semesters (or its equivalent - see language requirement below) of an East Asian language.

• 3 units must be either Chinese, Japanese OR Korean Civilization.
• 3 units must be the Crossing Borders course.
• At least 12 units of advanced (300+) coursework drawn from at least two different departments, all focused on East Asia, as determined in consultation with the advisor.
• No more than 3 units may be from independent study or research.
• No more than 3 units may be from a semester of study abroad (6 units from a year of study abroad).
• Some units earned through advanced level (300 or above) language study may be applied to the minor at the discretion of the advisor unless being counted for a language major or minor.
• All advanced units must be unique to the IAS minor (i.e. not counted towards any other major or minor).

Language Requirement

All majors and minors must satisfy a foreign language requirement. You may satisfy this requirement with the successful completion of the first four semesters of language instruction in the language program of choice (other than English) or the equivalent. Entering students wishing to prove equivalency must take the Washington University Placement test for the language in question or score a 5 on the AP test. Students claiming the status of native speakers may be exempted from the placement test by the undergraduate director or by the section coordinator of the language program in question. We encourage students interested in IAS who have achieved a high level of language competency before entering Washington University to continue their language study, either in the same language or in an additional language, but it is assumed that you will satisfy your requirement by demonstrating competence in at least one language through the fourth semester.

Forms

2009 EAS Major Declaration Form
2009 EAS Minor Declaration Form