Major/Minor Requirements

Major

This interdisciplinary major program combines language study with coursework in various disciplines. Students may choose a program which

1. gives emphasis broadly to East Asian regional studies,
2. emphasizes either China or Japan (Chinese or Japanese Studies),
3. is focused in a discipline (e.g. History, Religion), or
4. concentrates on Chinese or Japanese language and literature. Students who choose option four must complete two semesters of 400-level language courses and must take a minimum of four non-language courses, including at least two literature in translation courses.
5. Korean Studies option: This concentration may be completed through coursework at Oberlin and study abroad at an approved institution.

Major Requirements:

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 additional courses (for a minimum of 18 credit hours), including at least one upper-level seminar. No more than two language courses may count toward this requirement. All majors must take at least two non-language courses that do not focus exclusively on their country of interest.
3. A capstone project: The Capstone Project is an opportunity to bring to bear on a focused intellectual project the various elements of one's East Asian Studies training. Normally completed in the senior year, the Capstone Project may be done in one of three ways: 1) as a research project in addition to or more substantial than the regular assignments 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 separate form of registration for the Capstone Project. Students who study abroad should complete the capstone in residence at Oberlin. Successful completion of Honors fulfills the Capstone Project requirement.

Courses for which a grade lower than a C- is earned may not be counted toward the major.

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 six of the 15 hours can be from basic language courses (100- and 200-level), and a minimum of six hours must be in non-language work. At least two courses must be beyond the introductory level. 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.

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 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 oral examination will be scheduled. Both the thesis and the oral examination will figure in the awarding of Honors.

Winter Term

The following faculty are willing to sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated.  Mr. Dobbins:  East Asian Religions.  Ms. Gay:  Japanese language and culture.  Ms. Kurasawa:  Japanese language and culture.  Mr. Li:  Chinese language.  Ms. Liu:  Chinese language.  Ms. O'Dwyer:  Japanese history.  Ms. Sherif:  Japanese language and literature.

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