If you have a particular interest in the cultures and societies
of East Asia and would like to study them from a comparative and
interdisciplinary perspective, you may want to choose this concentration.
It offers an array of courses on topics ranging from the ancient
foundations of East Asia to its most recent transformations. Washington
University is one of the oldest centers for the study of China and
Japan in the U.S., and we now also offer selected coursework on
Korea. In modern Chinese and Japanese language, we offer courses
through the advanced level, and we also offer classical language
study. You may pursue Korean language study through the intermediate
level.
Major
For a major in IAS with an East Asian Studies concentration, you are required to complete the following:
Crossing Borders I and II. See course descriptions below. IS 200 Introduction
to International and Area Studies is optional for this concentration. (3 credits each for a total of 6 credits)
One core civilization course. You may choose from EAS 223 Korean Civilization,
EAS 226 Japanese Civilization, EAS 227 Chinese Civilization. See course descriptions below. (3 credits)
18 credits of advanced coursework in East Asian Studies. Within
these 18 credits, students: 1) may count no more than 6 credits of advanced
language study; 2) must take courses offered by at least three
different departments (for example, History, ANELL, Political
Science); and 3) must balance their area emphasis (depending
on whether you emphasize China or Japan, you must take at least
one course in the other area).
At least 3 of the 18 credits must be at the 400-level. Although some 300-level credit may be satisfied with courses taught in the Study Abroad programs by foreign faculty, 400-level credit must be earned on campus or in WU courses taught abroad. No more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research, or internships, excluding credit earned as part of an honors thesis. (18 credits)
Students whose prime major is in the East Asian concentration
of IAS must participate in a capstone experience. This may take
the form of an honors thesis, participation in a senior symposium,
or, in certain instances, successful completion of a specially
designated 400-level course. All of these options are available
for credit and may fulfill the 400-level credit requirement.
Total is a minimum of 27 graded credits unique to the IAS major plus 4 semesters of an East Asian language (or its equivalent - see Language Requirement below).
Minor
For a minor in East Asian Studies/International and
Area Studies, you are required to complete 15 graded credits plus 4 semesters of an East Asian language (or its equivalent - see Language Requirement below).
6 credits may be at the introductory level. At least 3 of those
credits must be chosen from: Japanese, Chinese, or Korean Civilization
OR Crossing Borders I or II.
At least 9 credits of advanced (300+) coursework all focused
on East Asia as determined in consultation with the advisor.
No more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research
or internships. No more than 3 credits may be from a semester
of study abroad (6 credits from a year of study abroad). Advanced
(300 or above) language study may be applied to the minor at
the discretion of the advisor.
12 of the 15 credits must be unique to the IAS minor (i.e. not
counted to any other major or minor).
Language Requirement
All majors and minors must satisfy a foreign language requirement. You may satisfy this requirement with the successful completion of the first four semesters of language instruction in the language program of choice (other than English) or the equivalent. Entering students wishing to prove equivalency must take the Washington University Placement test for the language in question or score a 5 on the AP test. Students claiming the status of native speakers may be exempted from the placement test by the undergraduate director or by the section coordinator of the language program in question. We encourage students interested in IAS who have achieved a high level of language competency before entering Washington University to continue their language study, either in the same language or in an additional language, but it is assumed that you will satisfy your requirement by demonstrating competence in at least one language through the fourth semester.
Introductory Courses
Introduction to International and Area Studies L97 IS 200
An introduction to some of the key themes and approaches within
international and area studies, with a focus on the interplay
of global and local forces. The course will feature case studies
from diverse world regions given by guest lecturers from Int'l
and Area Studies faculty, as well as a discussion of broader
trends in the contemporary world system. Required of majors
in International and Area Studies in the Int'l Studies and European
Studies concentrations, optional for others. 1 credit. Only offered
pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Crossing Borders I L97 IS 202
This course explores the idea of "crossing borders"
along multiple dimensions. We will use the territorial concept
of nation-state borders derived from the Westphalian model as
our point of departure. We will subsequently explore alternative
notions of crossing borders through topics as diverse as ethnic
conflict, the (re) emergence of civilizations, nationalism,
intranational class conflict, bureaucratic rivalry, cultural
imperialism, "comparative diasporas," international
financial architectures, liberalism/free trade, complex interdependence,
and globalization. Because we will be approaching these topics
from the perspective of the social sciences, a portion of this
course will be devoted to introducing students to the basic
tenets of social scientific inquiry. This course is required
of all IAS majors. IAS majors considering a junior year
abroad should enroll freshman or sophomore year. 3 credits.
Cannot be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Crossing Borders II L97 IS 203
This course will explore the idea of "crossing borders"
in literature, film and their cultural contexts. We will explore
ethnic and economic conflicts, nationalist projects, and cultural
imperialism and resistance in the interactions between cultural
objects (texts and other works of art) and their contexts. Because
we will be approaching these topics from the perspective of
the humanities, we will spend some time introducing students
to the basic methodologies of inquiry in literary and cultural
studies. This course is required of all IAS majors. IAS
majors considering a junior year abroad should enroll freshman
or sophomore year. 3 credits. Cannot be taken pass/fail or credit/no
credit.
Japanese Civilization L97 IS 226C
The development of Japanese culture from antiquity to the
present. The first half of the semester will provide an overview
of Japanese cultural history, focusing on the interplay of religion
and the arts. Topics to consider will be influences from the
Asian continent, the development of poetic sensibility, and
the rise of the military culture. The second half of the semester
will examine crucial aspects of contemporary Japanese society
and Japanese social psychology, focusing on issues of race,
gender, education and popular culture. The concentration
in EAS requires this or Chinese Civilization L97 IS 227C.
3 credits. Cannot be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Chinese Civilization L97 227C
An introduction to Chinese culture through selected topics
that link various periods in China's past with the present.
Ongoing concerns will be social stratification, political organization,
and the arts, gender relationships and the rationales for individual
behavior, and the conceptions through which Chinese have identified
their cultural heritage. Our readings will include literary,
philosophical, legal, and historical documents as well as cultural
histories. The concentration in EAS requires this or the
Japanese Civilization L97 IS 226C. 3 credits. Cannot be
taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Program Faculty
Director of East Asian Studies and the Joint
Center for East Asian Studies
Lingchei Letty Chen (Modern Chinese Language and Literature) Ph.D., Columbia University
Professors
Rebecca Copeland (Japanese Language and Literature) Ph.D., Columbia University Frances H. Foster (Law) J.S.D., Stanford University Beata Grant (Chinese Language and Literature) Ph.D., Stanford University John O. Haley Wiley B. Rutledge, Jr., Professor of Law (Law) LL.B., Yale University, LL.M., University of Washington Robert E. Hegel Liselotte Dieckmann Professor of Comparative Literature in Arts & Sciences (Chinese and Comparative Literature) Ph.D., Columbia University Charles R. McManis (Law) J.D., Duke University
Associate Professors
Mary-Jean Cowell (Performing Arts) Ph.D., Columbia University
Marvin Marcus (Japanese Language and Literature) Ph.D.,
University of Michigan Stephen B. Miles (History) Ph.D., University of Washington Carl Minzner (Law) J.D./M.I.A., Columbia University
Assistant Professors
Gwen Bennett (Art History and Archaeology) Ph.D., University of California – Los Angeles Pauline Chen Lee (Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., Stanford University Jamie Newhard (Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., Columbia University Lori Watt (History, IAS) Ph.D., Columbia University
Adjunct Faculty
Michele W. Shoresman (Law and East Asian Studies) Assistant
Dean for Graduate and Joint Degree Programs, School of Law Ph.D.,
University of Illinois
Senior Lecturers
Xia Liang (ANELL) (Chinese Language) M.A., Beijing Normal
University Virginia Marcus (ANELL) (Japanese Language) M.A., University
of Michigan, M.A., New York University Judy Mu (ANELL) (Chinese Language) Ph.D., University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Fengtao Wu (ANELL) M.A., Indiana University – Bloomington, Chinese language
Lecturers
Hiroo Aridome (ANELL) M.A., University of Minnesota, Japanese language Wen-hui Chen (ANELL) Chinese language Shino Hayashi (ANELL) M.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Japanese language Mijeong Mimi Kim (ANELL) Ed.D., University of San Francisco, Korean language Chun-ying Lin (ANELL) M.A., National Taiwan Normal University, Chinese language Ke Nie (ANELL) Chinese language Kayo Niimi (ANELL) M.A., Ohio State University, Japanese language Wei Wang (ANELL) M.A., University of Minnesota, M.A., Beijing Language and Culture University, Chinese language
Visiting Lecturer
William Puck Brecher (ANELL) Ph.D., University of Southern California, pre-Modern Japanese
Professor Emeritus
James C. Shih (Asian and Near Eastern Languages and
Literatures) Ph.D., University of California - Berkley
