Program: East Asian Studies - Davidson College

East Asian Studies Major (A.B. Degree)

East Asian Studies (EAS) majors gain a comprehensive knowledge of at least one East Asian civilization, including its culture, history and contemporary conditions. EAS 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 EAS 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). EAS majors will be prepared for graduate study in East Asian Studies and other disciplines with an East Asian focus. Study abroad is required.

Prerequisites

(or the equivalent in Chinese of another East Asian Language)

These courses do not count toward the major.

CHI 101 - Elementary Chinese I
CHI 102 - Elementary Chinese II
CHI 201 - Intermediate Chinese I

Foreign Language (2)

Two courses above 201 in Chinese or another East Asian Language, or the equivalent. May be taken abroad.

History Survey (2)

HIS 183 - East Asian History to 1850

HIS 184 - East Asian History 1850 to the Present

Research Methods (1)

Each East Asian Studies major will select an appropriate research methods course in consultation with his or her adviser.

The methods course may be applied to a second major.

Electives and Capstone (5 courses)

One course in East Asian Religions
One course in East Asian Politics or Anthropology
Three courses in East Asian Anthropology, Art, History, Literature, Music, Politics or Religion
At least one elective must be a Research Seminar in an appropriate department or an Honors Thesis. Students will consult with advisers to select the research seminar. Examples of such seminars include POL 453: The Rise of China and HIS 473: Thinking About Asia.

Immersion Requirement

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

Honors

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.

In the case of an exceptional academic record, together with a thesis of the highest quality, the department may confer high honors.

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.

Requirements

(1) Six courses, including

a. Either
CHI 120 - Introduction to Chinese Culture
OR
CHI 121 - Introduction to Traditional Chinese Culture
OR
HIS 184 - East Asian History 1850 to the Present
b. Five other courses, drawn from the list below or approved by the Director of the East Asian Studies interdisciplinary minor.

(2) Study of an East Asian language. This can be satisfied in one of four ways:

a. By completing two semesters of Chinese at Davidson, or the equivalent.

b. By completing two semesters of another East Asian language through Davidson’s Self Instructional Languages Program. (Japanese and Korean have been offered in recent years.)

c. By studying an East Asian language other than Chinese during a semester or summer program, with the approval of the interdisciplinary minor director.

d. By demonstrating proficiency in an East Asian language.

(3) An international Experience in East Asia of at least one month’s duration

Notes

No more than two 100-level courses can be counted toward the interdisciplinary minor.
No more than two courses may also be applied to a departmental major.
A grade of “C” or higher is required for a course to count toward the interdisciplinary minor.
Courses taken in the Davidson in Shanghai Program will count for the interdisciplinary minor.

East Asian Studies