East Asian Studies

Associate Professor Mizenko (Coordinator); Assistant Professor Chao. 

Acquaintance with cultures other than our own is an integral part of both a liberal education and preparation for a career in a variety of fields, including business, law, government, or teaching. The major and minor in East Asian Studies are interdisciplinary programs drawing on offerings in several departments, but emphasizing history, culture, politics, literature and language. The programs are designed to provide an introduction to the cultures of China and Japan; in reflection of Ursinus’ relationship with our sister school, Tohoku Gakuin University (TGU), located in Sendai, Japan, offerings emphasize the latter. In addition to the courses offered on the Ursinus campus, students either majoring or minoring in East Asian Studies are encouraged to take advantage of off-campus study-abroad opportunities, including the Ursinus Summer Study in Japan (EAS-301) and the Semester in Japan (EAS-399), both offered in conjunction with TGU. Students seeking intensive language experience should consult with the language faculty about appropriate overseas or summer-intensive programs.

Requirements for Majors

1) A minimum of 12 hours of appropriate language study beyond the introductory 101/102 level (NOTE: EAS majors are encouraged to complete all or some of this requirement either through study abroad or summer-intensive programs, including the college-sponsored Semester Study in Japan program [EAS-399]; regarding major credit, see Note below). Students may satisfy this requirement through equivalent off-campus study — including study abroad — of Chinese, Korean, or other appropriate East Asian language, subject to college approval.

2) 12 credits from HIST-151, 152, 252; EAS-299, 314; or EAS-224;

3) A capstone experience either in an approved seminar in History, Politics, Modern Languages, or other department as appropriate, EAS-400W, or EAS-491W/492W;

4) An appropriate methodology course (i.e. ECON-202, ENGL-290W, HIST-200W, POL-252 or 300, ANSO-200, or other approved course). East Asian Studies majors generally fulfill their requirement for an oral presentation in the major through the required oral component of their methodology and capstone courses;

5) 12 additional credits from the following courses (Note: at least eight credits must be at the 300-level): EAS-224, 299, 301, 314, 398, 399, HIST-151, 152, 252, 254, 352, 354, 451W, and RELS-111, or approved topics courses in Anthropology and Sociology, Business and Economics, East Asian Studies, English, History, Politics, or Philosophy and Religious Studies.

Note: For the purposes of the EAS major, students who complete EAS-398–399 will receive 3 credits toward the appropriate level of Japanese language, to be determined by the Ursinus faculty, and full credit toward #5 above.

Minors in Chinese and Japanese

Ursinus College also offers language-focused minors in Chinese and Japanese. For more information, please refer to the catalog entry for the Department of Modern Languages

Requirements for Minors

A minor concentration in East Asian Studies consists of 20 credits from courses dealing with East Asia. Twelve credits must come from HIST–151, 152, 252; or EAS-224. The remaining credits must come from the following: EAS-299, 301, 314, 398, 399; CHN-111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 328; JPN-111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 328; HIST-151, 152, 252, 254, 352, 354, 451W; or RELS-111.

Teacher Certification

Ursinus is one of only a small number of institutions in Pennsylvania to offer certification for secondary-school teaching in Japanese language. For requirements, candidates should consult the Ursinus College Education Department as well as their Japanese language instructor. Certification requires passing a language competency examination.

EAS-224. Japanese Literature in Translation

Critical reading of representative Japanese literary texts in English translation. This survey begins with ancient texts and concludes with mid-20th century fiction. The focus is on tracing the development of the lyrical and expressive tradition in poetry, and its influence on such genres as drama, essays, diaries and fictional narratives. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (H, GN.)

EAS-299. Topics in East Asian Studies

An interdisciplinary topics course focusing on aspects of East Asian culture, the specific topic to be chosen by the instructor. To be taught in English by guest faculty. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. (GN.)

EAS-301. Summer Study in Japan

A five-week course offered in collaboration with Tohoku Gakuin University in Sendai, Japan. This interdisciplinary course comprises three weeks of classroom instruction in Sendai on selected topics of Japanese culture and society, plus an introduction to conversational Japanese language, followed by a two-week tour of Japan. Instruction is in English and is provided by the faculty of Tohoku Gakuin University as well as members of the Ursinus faculty. Offered annually mid-May through June. Not open to incoming freshmen. Four semester hours.

EAS-314. Contemporary Japanese Culture.

An introduction to contemporary Japanese culture in its socio-historical context from the post-WWII era to the present. Course materials will include fiction, nonfiction, manga, film, anime, and the visual arts. Among the topics typically addressed are Hiroshima and its aftermath, the social impact of economic reconstruction, gender and ethnicity, postmodern identity and society, the environment, technology and cyborgs, education and business, and the continuing search for definitions of what it means to be Japanese. Taught in English; no knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary. Four hours per week. Several required film screenings. Four semester hours. (H, GN.)

EAS-351. Readings in East Asian Studies

Individual or small-group study of one or more selected topics in East Asian Studies. May include preparation of a bibliography for a proposal for subsequent research. Requires consent of a member of the program who will serve as adviser. This course is graded S/U and may be taken more than once for credit. One hour per week plus at least three hours of preparation. One semester hour.

EAS-352. Readings in East Asian Studies

Individual or small-group study of one or more selected topics in East Asian Studies. May include preparation of a bibliography for a proposal for subsequent research. Requires consent of a member of the program who will serve as adviser. This course is graded S/U and may be taken more than once for credit. Two hours per week plus at least six hours of preparation. Two semester hours.

EAS-381. Internship

An academic/work experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor done either domestically or abroad. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Graded S/U. Three semester hour. (XLP.)

EAS-382.Internship

An academic/work experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor done either domestically or abroad. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Graded S/U. Four semester hour. (XLP.)

EAS-398. Study in Japan Pre-Departure Program

A introduction to basic themes of Japanese history, culture, society. This is a required course for all Ursinus students participating in either EAS-399, Semester in Japan, or EAS-301, Summer Study in Japan. Enrollment by permission of the instructor. The course meets 75 minutes/week for six weeks after spring break. One semester hour.

EAS-399. Semester in Japan

Ursinus College has a long-standing tradition of exchange programs with Tohoku Gakuin University, our sister university in Sendai, Japan. The fall semester exchange program provides Ursinus students with the opportunity to spend the fall semester at Tohoku Gakuin. In addition to intensive Japanese language training, classes are offered in a variety of topics. Except for the language classes, courses are taught in English. The program is open to all majors, Admission is competitive. Prerequisite: EAS-398 and two semesters of Japanese language. Fifteen semester hours.

Note: Grades (Pass/Fail) earned in the Semester in Japan program will not count in the student’s cumulative GPA at Ursinus.

EAS-400W. Research in East Asian Studies

A capstone course for East Asian Studies majors only, involving a supervised independent research project and an oral presentation to EAS faculty. Prior approval of the East Asian Studies coordinator and supervising faculty required. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

EAS-491W. Research/Independent Work

This course is open to candidates for honors in East Asian Studies and to other students with the permission of the East Asian Studies coordinator. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

EAS-492W. Research/Independent Work

A continuation of EAS-491W. Prerequisite: 491W. Four semester hours. (XLP.)