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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.