Asian Languages and Cultures Major
The Asian Languages and Cultures major is designed for students who wish to combine proficiency in an Asian language or languages (Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, Korean) with rigorous training in the study of an Asian culture or cultures (China, Japan, Korean, South Asia, or Comparative). In addition to developing the four core linguistic skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), students will acquire the cultural literacy necessary for effective communication and sophisticated understanding of at least one cultural sphere or region of Asia. The humanities component of the major is designed to introduce students to advanced methods of critical reading, viewing, interpretation, and academic writing through training in literary studies, film and media studies, gender studies, and cultural studies, among other approaches. While most Asian Languages and Cultures majors focus on one Asian language and area of focus, the major is also designed to accommodate students who wish to work comparatively within or between regions. For example, students may combine the study of Korean and Japanese language and culture or explore colonial and post-colonial experiences in East and South Asia. Students interested in pursuing a comparative focus will work closely with the director of undergraduate studies to develop a coherent course of study.
Students may apply for (but are not guaranteed) language credit towards the major for courses taken while studying abroad (placement testing upon return is required). Pending departmental review of relevant course materials and the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, up to 2 humanities courses taken while studying abroad may also be counted toward the major. For more information about the review process, please contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.
Prerequisites
There are no global prerequisites for this major, but depending on prior experience and area of focus some students may need to complete prerequisite coursework in a language.
Major Requirements (15 units)
Double-counting note: Weinberg College prohibits double-counting a major course toward some other major or minor, except where this is explicitly permitted in this catalog. Weinberg College does allow double-counting a major course toward a general bachelor's degree requirement (i.e. degree requirements other than majors or minors). Other programs or schools may have their own restrictions that supersede this, so check the relevant parts of this catalog for possible limits.
6 units in an Asian Language
- 3 courses in Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, or Korean at the second-year level
- 3 more units chosen from:
- courses in the same language at the third-year level
- courses in an additional Asian language at any level
Chinese
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Second-year Chinese courses | |
| Chinese II and Chinese II and Chinese II | |
| Chinese II - Accelerated and Chinese II - Accelerated and Chinese II - Accelerated | |
| Students take three courses in an additional Asian language or continue Chinese with: | |
| Chinese III and Chinese III and Chinese III | |
| Chinese III - Accelerated and Chinese III - Accelerated and Chinese III - Accelerated | |
Hindi-Urdu
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Second-year Hindi-Urdu courses | |
| Hindi-Urdu II and Hindi-Urdu II and Hindi-Urdu II | |
| Students take three courses in an additional Asian language or continue Hindi-Urdu with: | |
| Hindi-Urdu III: Topics in Intermediate Hindi-Urdu | |
Japanese
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Second-year Japanese courses | |
| Japanese II and Japanese II and Japanese II | |
| Students take three courses in an additional Asian language or continue Japanese with: | |
| Japanese III and Japanese III and Japanese III | |
Korean
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Second-year Korean courses | |
| Korean II and Korean II and Korean II | |
| Korean II - Accelerated and Korean II - Accelerated and Korean II - Accelerated | |
| Students take three courses in a second Asian language or continue Korean with: | |
| Korean III and Korean III and Korean III | |
9 Asian humanities courses
- 6 courses selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies to represent an area of focus (China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, or comparative)
- courses must be at the 200- or 300-level
- at least 3 must be at the 300-level
- at least 4 must be department courses (ASIAN_LC); at most 2 may be relevant courses from outside the department selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies
- 2 ASIAN_LC courses from outside the chosen area of focus, selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies
- 1 Research Seminar (ASIAN_LC 397-0)
Honors in Asian Languages and Cultures
Majors with a strong academic record (a GPA of 3.5 both in the major and overall) and interest in writing an honors thesis are encouraged to contact the director of undergraduate studies in the spring of their junior year. Students who are approved to write an honors thesis must take two quarters of ASIAN_LC 399-0 Independent Study in addition to the 15 courses required for the major. For more information, please contact the director of undergraduate studies, review the department's website, and see Honors in the Major.