Gyeongbokgung palace with cherry blossom tree in spring time in Seoul, South Korea.

Bachelor of Arts

East Asian Studies

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Become an Expert in East Asian Language, Culture and History

Learn the language, history, culture, religion, politics or geography of East Asia. Whether your interest is based on uncovering centuries of art and history or understanding this extremely influential region's position in modern world affairs, you'll find your path in the East Asian Studies major at the University at Albany. An experienced faculty, made up of renowned scholars, will help you delve deeper into the subjects and topics of ancient regional practices, contemporary trade policy or anything in between. 

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin   |   Course Catalog   |   Four-Year Plan   |  Department Contact: John Person

Program of Study

With 12 separate language courses encompassing Japanese, Korean and Chinese and a host of accompanying cultural and historical topics to delve into, there is no one way to pursue an East Asian Studies degree. Across disciplines faculty that will support your efforts, using their knowledge and experience to guide you into areas of study that are most fascinating and relevant to you.

 

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Choose from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and East Asian 100 & 200-level courses (except introductory language 101 and 102 courses)

Sample courses:

  • China: Its Culture and Heritage
  • Survey of Classical Chinese Literature in Translation I & II
  • Japan: Its Culture and Heritage
  • Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
  • Japanese Pop Culture from Edo to the Present
  • Korea: Its Culture and Heritage
  • Sources of East Asian Civilizations I & II
  • Introduction to East Asian Cinema
  • Confucianism and the Samurai Ethic
  • Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy

 

Language Requirements (10 credits)

  • Intermediate Chinese I & II OR
  • Intermediate Japanese I & II OR
  • Intermediate Korean I & II

Information Literacy Course (3 credits)
East Asian Studies Research Methods

 

Upper-Level Courses (9 credits)
Choose from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and East Asian 300 & 400-level courses

Sample courses:

  • History of Modern China
  • Chinese Travel Literature
  • Fascism: Japan and Beyond
  • World War II: The Japanese View
  • History of Premodern Korea
  • North Korea History, Culture, and Politics
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Confucius and Confucianism
  • The History and Culture of Traditional Tibet
  • The Silk Road    

 

Capstone Course (3 credits)
East Asian Studies Research Capstone
 

Honors Program

Students with a 3.50 grade point average (GPA) are eligible for the Honors Program. In addition to completing the regular requirements for the major in East Asian Studies, students in the Honors Program complete a further six credits of Colloquium in East Asian Studies.

Language Courses
Chinese
  • Elementary Chinese I & II
  • Intermediate Chinese I & II
  • Advanced Chinese I & II
  • Classical Chinese I & II
Japanese
  • Elementary Japanese I & II
  • Intermediate Japanese I & II
  • Advanced Japanese I & II
  • Readings in Modern Japanese Literature
Korean
  • Elementary Korean I & II
  • Intermediate Korean I & II
  • Advanced Korean I & II
Experiential Learning

You will have the option to travel to East Asia for intensive study. Whether you go for a summer, a semester or a whole year, this immersive experience will be a valuable highlight of your collegiate education, taking your language learning to the next level and gaining firsthand knowledge.

In addition to taking courses while studying in East Asia, there are internships available at East Asian companies and the local branches of multinational firms. You will gain work experience and connections at these positions, as well as language and cultural immersion experience.

 

Traditional Chinese cultural performance
experiential
Career Outcomes

You can apply your East Asian Studies degree to a succeed in any career path that involves expertise about East Asia, including government and international business. With the multi-faceted curriculum opening opportunities across fields, you may also opt to combine your knowledge of East Asian language and culture with graduate studies in health care, education, information science or communication to seek specialized roles in those fields. 

Possible career paths include:

  • Government work for the State Department, Central Intelligence Agency  (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Banking, accounting or marketing work with an international focus 
  • Education, teaching English as a second language in East Asia
  • Cultural commentary and analysis
  • Interpreting or language expertise in the military
  • East Asian language instruction
  • Health, IT or Communications

 

 

Seoul, South Korea skyline at night
careers

"The fulfillment and enjoyment I've found in academic history has been in large part thanks to the ongoing guidance, encouragement, inspiration, and friendship of many of the EAS faculty at UAlbany."

- Jeremy Murray, ’01, Professor, CSU San Bernardino

Student Learning Objectives
Bachelor of Arts

Chinese Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Chinese to the advanced college level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of Chinese Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Chinese databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.

 
East Asian Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Chinese, Japanese, or Korean to the intermediate level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of East Asian Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Chinese, Japanese and Korean databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.

 
Japanese Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Japanese to the advanced college level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of Japanese Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Japanese databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.
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