East Asian Studies, BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

What Is the East Asian Studies Major? 

The course of study is designed to attain three major objectives. First, it offers students an opportunity to acquire accurate, detailed and comprehensive knowledge of a region that is becoming increasingly important in world affairs. Second, it prepares students who are attracted by job opportunities related to East Asia in business and government. For those who wish to teach about East Asia, the Program provides appropriate preparation. Third, it provides solid undergraduate training for students who plan to enter East Asian programs in their graduate studies.

Why Should I Consider this Major?

The Program in East Asian Studies offers interdisciplinary study of the area, primarily the countries of China and Japan. Under special advisement, Korea and Mongolia are also subjects for study. The major offers students an opportunity to prepare for positions in cultural organizations, diplomatic offices, companies engaged in international business, and in educational institutions.

How to Declare:

To declare the major, schedule an appointment with the Director, Massimiliano Tomasi. He will review with you the complete process for designing your major by showing you options of core courses, language courses, and electives in the area of Asian Studies that is of particular interest to you.

Coursework

  • Two years of Chinese or Japanese language (Mongolian or Korean by special arrangement) from the following. A maximum of thirty language credits may apply.
    • CHIN 101 - First-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 102 - First-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 103 - First-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 201 - Second-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 202 - Second-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 203 - Second-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 301 - Third-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 302 - Third-Year Chinese
    • CHIN 303 - Third-Year Chinese
  • OR
    • JAPN 101 - First-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 102 - First-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 103 - First-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 201 - Second-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 202 - Second-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 203 - Second-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 301 - Third-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 302 - Third-Year Japanese
    • JAPN 303 - Third-Year Japanese
  • EAST 201 - Introduction to East Asian Civilizations
  • EAST 202 - East Asian History in the Early-Modern and Modern Eras
  • EAST 302 - Methods and Materials in East Asian Studies
  • One course from:
    • EAST 367 - Chinese Literature in Translation
    • EAST 368 - Japanese Literature in Translation
  • Additional credits from courses approved by the Center for East Asian Studies as listed below: (At least 8 credits must be at the 400 level)
    • A/HI 370 - Islamic Visual Cultures
    • ANTH 362 - Peoples of Asia
    • ANTH 460 - Culture and Society of Japan
    • CHIN 330 - Chinese Culture Through Film and Literature
    • CHIN 390 - Introduction to Chinese Language and Linguistics
    • EAST 313 - Early Inner Asia
    • EAST 314 - The Mongols
    • EAST 367 - Chinese Literature in Translation
    • EAST 368 - Japanese Literature in Translation
    • ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment
    • ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim
    • HIST 362 - Asian-American History
    • HIST 370 - Chinese History to 600 Ad
    • HIST 372 - Chinese History: 1800 to Present
    • HIST 374 - Premodern Japanese History
    • HIST 375 - Modern Japanese History
    • HIST 480 - Modern Chinese Social History
    • HIST 481 - The Chinese Revolution
    • HIST 483 - Early Modern Japan
    • HIST 484 - Women in Japanese History
    • HIST 485 - Japanese Military History: Samurai Fact and Fiction
    • HIST 486 - Religion in Japanese History
    • IBUS 370 - Introduction to International Business
    • IBUS 474 - Topics in International Business
    • JAPN 330 - Japanese Culture Through Film
    • JAPN 401 - Advanced Japanese
    • PLSC 307 - East Asia
    • PLSC 430 - Modern Chinese Politics

GURs:

These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.

  • BCOM: CHIN 103, 201; JAPN 103, 201
  • ACGM: CHIN 202, 203, 301, 302, 303; JAPN 202, 203, 301 302, 303, 401; EAST 201, 202; ANTH 362; ENVS 333
  • BCGM: HIST 362
"The East Asian Studies provides an institutional focus on the histories, cultures, languages, and politics of China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia, serving students in their diverse educational goals as well as the broader campus and regional communities in their interactions with the growing economies of East Asia."

- Edward Vajda, Faculty

Notable Alumni

Charles Schenking

University professor, Australia

Graduate with a degree in History and in EAS.

Michael Hill

Teacher and Columbia University Ph.D. graduate

Sample Careers

  • International Consultant
  • International Business Manager
  • International Sales
  • Foreign News Correspondent
  • Tour Guide/Agent
  • Museum Administrator
  • Librarian/Information Specialist
  • Foreign Service Worker
  • FBI/CIA Agent
  • Intelligence Researcher
  • Cultural Officer
  • Foreign Diplomat
  • Immigration Agent
  • College Professor
  • Secondary Education Teacher

Department

Contact

Director: 

Massimiliano Tomasi
MH 222C, 360-650-3339
massimiliano.tomasi@wwu.edu