Oberlin Course Catalog--East Asian Studies

East Asian Studies

The East Asian Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on the region that includes China, Japan, and Korea. The main purposes of the program are to provide extensive training in East Asian languages as well as to introduce students to the regional societies, cultures, and histories through course work in the disciplines of anthropology, art history, history, literature, politics and religion. Since language work is an integral part of all major programs in East Asian Studies, interested students are strongly advised to begin language work in their first or second year at Oberlin. This is especially true of students who hope to spend time studying abroad.

Major. This interdisciplinary major program combines course work in disciplines with language study. Students may choose a program which

1. gives emphasis broadly to East Asian regional studies or

2. emphasizes either China or Japan (Chinese or Japanese Studies) or

3. is focused in a discipline (e. g. History, Religion) or

4. concentrates on Chinese or Japanese language and literature. Students who choose option 4 must complete two semesters of 400-level language courses.

Korean Studies option: This concentration may be completed through course work at Oberlin and study abroad at an approved institution.

The requirements of the major with any of the above concentrations include:

1. four semesters of Chinese or Japanese language, with at least one year of language study done at Oberlin College. In the case of Korean language, the equivalent of four semesters taken at an approved institution will also meet this requirement.

2. six semester-long courses (minimum of 18 hours), including at least one seminar. No more than two upper-level language courses may count toward this requirement. All majors must take courses devoted to two or more of the three East Asian countries, China, Japan, and Korea, at least two of which must treat subjects outside the main country of interest.

3. a capstone project:
The capstone project is meant to provide an opportunity for the student to bring to bear the broad elements of his or her training in East Asian Studies in a focused intellectual project. The capstone project is to be completed in one of three ways: 1) as a research project in a scheduled upper-level colloquium or seminar taught by an EAS faculty member, 2) as a project in a 400-level Chinese or Japanese language course, or 3) as a Winter Term project overseen by an EAS faculty member. In all cases, students need to consult individually and early in the term with the EAS faculty member. There is a special, separate form of registration for the capstone project.

Students planning to study abroad should complete the capstone in residence at Oberlin. Successful completion of Honors fulfills the capstone project requirement.

Students who enter the program with previous language training are still required to take a minimum of 24 hours to complete the major, even if they place out of first- and second-year language classes. Students proficient in Chinese, Japanese or Korean language must study another East Asian language to fulfill the requirements of the major.

Minor. The minor consists of a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work. No more than 6 of the 15 hours can be from basic language courses (100- and 200-level), and a minimum of 6 hours must be in non-language work. Students interested in a minor should consult with an EAS faculty member and/or the director in order to assure that the minor program is coherent.

Placement Tests

Chinese: Consult with a Chinese faculty member regarding placement.

Japanese: All incoming students who have acquired linguistic ability in Japanese elsewhere, or who wish to qualify for advanced courses, should take the Placement Test administered during Orientation, or in consultation with a Japanese faculty member, to determine the level at which Japanese study should be continued.

Study in China. The East Asian Studies Program offers the opportunity for study in China under the auspices of the Associated Colleges in China (ACC) Program. This program, based at the Capital University of Economics and Business at Beijing, offers intensive instruction in the Chinese language. Students may participate for a summer, one or two semesters, or for a full twelve months. Students are required to have completed a full year of Chinese to participate in this program. More detailed information and applications for the program are available from the Chinese studies faculty.

Study in Japan. The East Asian Studies Program offers the opportunity for study in Japan under the auspices of the following two programs. Students on financial aid should consult the Study Away Office before planning to participate in either of these programs.

1. Associated Kyoto Program. This program, which offers the student a year abroad amidst the academic and cultural attractions of Japan's ancient imperial capital, is based at Doshisha University, one of Japan's leading private universities. Students can earn up to 30 hours of credit which are subject to the Transfer of Credit fee. Prerequisites for admission include one full year of Japanese, EAST 131, a 3.0 GPA, a B average in Japanese, and an interview.

2. GLCA-ACM Japan Study Program. This program is based at Waseda University in Tokyo, one of Japan's leading private universities, and includes language study and independent research. Students admitted to this program can earn up to 30 hours of credit. The Transfer of Credit fee is also applicable to this program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and one semester of Japanese are required for admission.

Transfer of Credit. The transfer of credit is not automatic. Students wishing to apply transfer credit to the major should be advised that a minimum of 18 hours must be completed at Oberlin, including at least one year of language study and the capstone project. For the minor, no less than half of the course work, including three hours in non-language course work, must be completed at Oberlin.

Honors. Admission to the Honors Program will be by invitation of the EAS faculty at the end of the second semester of the junior year. Students interested in being considered for Honors are encouraged to indicate their interest and discuss the details of the program with any member of the East Asian Studies faculty by early in their junior year. By May 1 of the junior year, the candidate will submit a tentative written proposal and bibliography. Students admitted to Honors will present a progress report at mid-year to the faculty. The final written project will be submitted in May of the senior year, when the senior oral examination will be scheduled, both the thesis and the oral examination will figure in the awarding of honors.

Newton Prize. The annual Newton Prize competition is open to all students in the College. Monetary prizes are awarded for the best essays, research papers, translations, etc., on Asian themes that promote better understanding between East and West. Works submitted are evaluated by the EAS faculty. Deadline for submission of entries is late March.

Asia House. Asia House is the program dormitory for students who demonstrate an interest in Asia. In an atmosphere of co-ed living, student-oriented programs about Asia are sponsored annually, including formal lectures, workshops, political discussions, films, performances, Asian cooking, martial arts, calligraphy, concerts, exhibits and entertainment of all kinds. Students play a major role in planning and coordinating these events. Chinese and Japanese language assistants live in Asia House or nearby. Chinese and Japanese language tables meet several times a week at the associated Stevenson Dining Hall.

Winter Term. The following faculty are willing to sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated. Mr. DiCenzo: Japanese history, modern Japanese literature, travel in Japan. Mr. Dobbins: Asian religion. Ms. Gay: Japanese language and culture. Ms. Jager: Modern Korean history. Ms. Kurasawa: Japanese language and culture. Mr. Li: Chinese language. Ms. Liu: Chinese language. Ms. Sherif: Japanese language and literature.

East Asian Studies

Chinese Language Courses

Chinese Literature and Culture Courses

Japanese Language Courses

Japanese Literature and Culture Courses

East Asian Studies Courses

East Asian Studies: Courses in Various Disciplines