Our Program

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies is dedicated to the study of the civilizations of China, Japan and Korea in all their richness and diversity. Study involves not only East Asia's recent and increasingly vital role on the world scene, but also an examination of the complex and profound features of its long history.

The department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in three areas: Asian Studies, Chinese, and Japanese. All majors include course work in East Asian cultural studies (involving one or more East Asian countries). Following is a brief description of each major. For courses associated with each major, see the Catalogue.

Some careers that our East Asian Languages majors are currently working in are banking, diplomacy, international business, law, public service, research, teaching and the arts.

Asian Studies

Is an interdepartmental program administered by the East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies Department. It offers an undergraduate major leading to the B.A. degree and a graduate program leading to the M.A. Both the undergraduate and the graduate programs enable students to study East Asia (China, Japan, or Korea) through two or more academic disciplines and, at the same time, to acquire at least two years of training in a language relevant to the area of study. The disciplines that contribute most to Asian studies at UCSB are anthropology, art history, literature, history, philosophy, political science, and religious studies. The languages which may be taken at UCSB in conjunction with Asian Studies courses are Chinese (Mandarin and Classical), Japanese (Modern and Classical), and Korean. Any literary Asian language, however, can serve to fulfill the language prerequisite if the student can demonstrate competence by exam equivalent to two years of study.

Interdisciplinary study of an Asian culture, together with language training, provide an excellent basis for graduate work at the M.A. or Ph.D. level. For courses associated with this major, see the Registrar's Office.

Chinese

Provides an opportunity for extensive language training and interdisciplinary course work, concentrating on the humanistic fields of literature, history, and religious studies.

The major in Chinese begins with work in modern Mandarin, the standard speech of the Beijing area, and moves on at more advanced levels to Classical or Literary Chinese, which was the dominant literary medium until the twentieth century. For courses associated with this major, see the Catalogue.

The major in Chinese Languages and Literatures is a subject of perennial interest and value which has acquired particular importance at the present time owing to the expansion of relationships with the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan. The Chinese language in various forms is spoken by nearly a billion people in the PRC and many millions more in such places as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and elsewhere in Southeast Asia--all of them areas of increasing importance in the modern community of nations.

While there are numerous Chinese sub-languages and dialects, Mandarin is taught at UCSB, as it is the official language both of the People's Republic and of Taiwan. Classical Chinese is also taught; this was the major literary medium until modern times, although a rich vernacular literature developed in the drama and the novel beginning about 1200 A.D. Chinese majors may choose to emphasize either Mandarin or Classical; in either case all majors must take at least one year of each, in addition to meeting other requirements.

A full range of courses on the various epochs of Chinese history is offered at UCSB, and students are expected and encouraged to gain an understanding of China's long past as well as her critical present. Many other departments (e.g., Art, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies) also offer courses on China which afford insight into various special aspects of one of the world's most fascinating and enduring cultures.

Students who do well in Chinese language may apply to study for a year in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore under the University of California Education Abroad Program. Arrangements can also be made for various periods of study in the PRC through the EAP.

Students who complete the B.A. in Chinese may wish to apply for further study at UCSB in the interdisciplinary program in Asian Studies, for an M.A. degree. Asian Studies is a major in which the student may study China through two or more disciplines combined with language training. This is an alternative major to Chinese in that it provides less specialization and more general knowledge of the interactions of East Asia.

Knowledge of Chinese language can be a distinct advantage in preparation for a variety of careers such as international business, law, journalism, government service, tourism and travel, museum work and education (mainly at the university level). However, it should be noted that additional training or experience is needed to enter many of these fields.

Japanese

Like the Chinese major, the Japanese major includes extensive language training and interdisciplinary course work. This major permits a concentrated study of the standard Japanese and encourages an acquaintance with Classical Japanese and Classical Chinese (Kanbun). In addition to language training, this major focuses on the humanistic fields set within a broad social and historical context. For courses associated with this major, see the Catalogue.

The Japanese major is more geographically and culturally specific than is the Asian Studies major, and they require considerably more advanced language training in Japanese. Students should examine the different majors to determine which best suits their objectives.

Students are encouraged to complete an academic year of study abroad through the university’s Education Abroad Program in China, Japan, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. For certain EAP programs, students can go abroad after two quarters of a language depending on the program.

5-Year BA/MA Program

Is designed for students who wish to enhance their undergraduate major in Chinese or Japanese with graduate training at the masters level in the department. Students concurrently pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese or Japanese and a Master of Arts in Asian Studies. These degrees already exist as separate entities, the B.A. normally requiring four years and the M.A. normally requiring two years.

Students pursuing this dual degree should plan on taking one year of study abroad in their junior year in their desired country of specialization. While on the study abroad program students will need to apply to the graduate program. Application to the graduate program requires all the same paperwork as students who are not currently enrolled in the University.

* Submit an application online with fee of $60 and send the following documents directly to the department:
* 2 official copies grade transcripts
* 3 letters of recommendation
* GRE scores (taken while on EAP or immediately upon return)
* Statement of purpose
* Writing sample

The application is the only document that must be submitted while overseas the rest of the documents are required as soon as possible after returning to the States. A consultation with the undergraduate advisor is advised before starting this program so that class planning can be coordinated to meet the 5 year goal. Students can apply for graduate fellowships and teaching assistant positions after B.A. course work has been completed in their 4th year.