The Temple of Heaven in Bejing, China

East Asian Studies Major & Minor

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Academic Departments

East Asian Studies Major

East Asian Studies majors gain a comprehensive knowledge of at least one East Asian civilization, including its culture, history and contemporary conditions. East Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary major. It requires study of language, literature, history, religion, and social sciences. Advanced study of Chinese language is the core of the major, because the body of knowledge comprising an East Asian Studies Major cannot be mastered without advanced language study. (Students who become proficient in Chinese by the sophomore year may study a second East Asian language for the major, including during study abroad). East Asian Studies majors will be prepared for graduate study in East Asian Studies and other disciplines with an East Asian focus.

Study or independent research in East Asia (summer, semester, or year) is required. Intensive training in the United States in an East Asian language (Middlebury, Monterrey) may count toward this requirement.

East Asian Studies majors who maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 in major courses and successfully complete an honors thesis will receive honors in East Asian Studies.

East Asian Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

The East Asian Studies Interdisciplinary Minor is open to students majoring in any department or program who also wish to pursue the disciplined study of the history, politics, culture and religions of East Asia.

Courses You Might Take

REL 180

An introduction to the religious and philosophical traditions that played fundamental roles in shaping traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese culture: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and popular religion.

CHI 224

Introduction to the Chinese idea of martial arts heroes and its representation in fiction and film with emphasis on its historical and changing cultural contexts.

HIS 286

This course explores the fascinating dynamics, causes, and pathways of student movements and revolutions in China. Key themes of the course include nationalism, anti-imperialism, communism, capitalism, youthful rebellion, and democracy.

Interested in East Asian Studies at Davidson?

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