The department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in three areas:
Asian Studies
Chinese
Japanese
All majors include coursework in East Asian cultural studies (involving one or more East Asian countries). For courses associated with each major, see the Course Catalog.
All majors and minors in the department are required to take:
- A minimum of 6 quarters of lower division language (can be waived through placement exam)
- Both of our core courses: EACS 4A and EACS 4B. Both courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Graduates of the East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies majors have gone on to pursue successful careers as Chinese and Japanese language instructors, as English instructors in East Asia, in education administration and teaching, and in fields as diverse as the tourist industry, media industry, global marketing, banking, diplomacy, international business, law, public service, research, film or television subtitles, and the arts.
Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, the department will recognize achievement in language study, regardless of a student’s major or minor, with departmental “certificates of language proficiency” and “certificates of advanced language proficiency.” The former will be awarded to students who complete the final quarter of second-year Chinese, Japanese, or Korean with a grade of B or higher. The latter will be awarded to students who receive a B or higher in the final quarter of third-year Chinese or Japanese, or who receive a B or higher in two fourth-year Chinese or Japanese courses (including courses in classical Chinese and Japanese).
To declare the Major in Chinese, Japanese or Asian Studies, or a Minor in Chinese or Japanese, or for more information, please contact the EALCS undergraduate Advisor, Ariella Lassiter.
One way to reach Ariella Lassiter is to send an email to: alassiter@hfa.ucsb.edu with your name and perm number, or, feel free to stop by the office: HSSB 4038. Advising hours can be found here.
