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Macalester College Catalog 2008-2009

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The Academic Program


Asian Languages and Cultures

Full Time Faculty: Ritsuko Narita, Christopher Scott, Satoko Suzuki (Chair), Xin Yang, Frederik Green

Part Time Faculty: Patricia Anderson, Jin Stone, Sachiko Dorsey

Asian Languages and Cultures Steering Committee: David Blaney (Political Science), Erik W. Davis (Religious Studies), Liang Ding (Economics), Arjun Guneratne (Anthropology), Winston Kyan (Art), James Laine (Religious Studies), Joy Laine (Philosophy), Andrew Latham (Political Science), Christopher Scott (Asian Languages and Cultures), Vasant Sukhatme (Economics), Satoko Suzuki (Chair; Asian Languages and Cultures), Yue-him Tam (History), Ping Wang (English), Chuen-Fung Wong (Music), Xin Yang (Asian Languages and Cultures)

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers students the opportunity to explore the linguistic, cultural, religious, literary, artistic, political and historical patterns and institutions of Asia; to engage in both Western and Asian methods of analyses of these patterns and institutions; to develop proficiency in an Asian language; and to spend time living and studying in Asia in an approved study abroad program. Students can major either in Japanese Language and Culture or in Asian Studies. Students majoring in Asian Studies focus on Japan, China or South Asia. The department also offers a minor in Chinese Language and Culture.

The department’s objectives are (1) to provide a firm foundation for those considering graduate level work in Japanese or Asian Studies, (2) to provide Chinese and Japanese language training for majors and for others, for travel and professional needs, and (3) to provide all students with the opportunity to broaden their liberal arts education through the study of Asia.

Career Orientation for Asian Languages and Cultures Specialists

Recent graduates who have focused their studies on Asia have entered fields such as education, international banking and commerce, law, foreign service, studio and design art, and journalism. Others have gone on to professional schools or to graduate programs in an Asian language and literature, film, linguistics, music, teaching Japanese as a foreign language, history, economics and international business.

General Distribution Requirement

Asian Studies (ASIA) 101, 102, 124, 127, 136, 140, 203, 204, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 303, 304, 407, and 408 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities. Asian Studies(ASIA)170, 171, 257, and 270 count toward the fine arts distribution requirement, and Asian Studies (ASIA) 256 counts toward the general distribution requirement in social science. All courses in the Japanese language program (JAPA) count toward the distribution requirement in humanities except for 235 and 335, which count toward the distribution requirement in social science.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Policy on Chinese and Japanese Language Grades

In order to be accepted into the next higher Chinese or Japanese language course in a sequence, a student must have received a grade of C– or higher in the previous course. For additional information regarding the language requirement, see the College requirements.

Language Houses

Each semester, students may apply to live in either the Japanese House or the Chinese Suite. Students have the opportunity to improve their language skills in everyday situations, in a relaxed atmosphere. The residents also help Asian Languages and Cultures staff create programming such as festivals, movie nights, game nights, and host events at times significant in a traditional calendar such as moon festival, Setsubun, and Children’s Day.

Honors Program

The Asian Languages and Cultures department participates in the Honors Program. See the website for details.

Asian Studies Major Requirements

In consultation with an advisor from within the program, students develop a major plan with a focus on Japan, China or South Asia. All major plans will include:

A) Asian Studies 111, Introduction to Asian Studies, a foundational course outlining some of the methods of studying Asia

B) Language study, with the goal of proficiency (Chinese or Japanese at Macalester; Chinese or a South Asian language at the University of Minnesota or via study abroad). There are three options:

  1) 3 years Japanese (8 credits beyond intermediate level) minimum; 4th year encouraged

  2) 2 years Chinese (8 credits beyond elementary); 3rd year encouraged

  3) 2 years of a South Asian language (8 credits beyond elementary)

C) A semester of study abroad in an approved program; a year abroad is encouraged. Students should choose a program in consultation with an advisor. In Japan, programs include Waseda, Sophia and Nanzan Universities; in China, programs include Harbin, Shanghai and Beijing; in India, the Associated Colleges of the Midwest’s program in Pune. Other locations are possible; check with an advisor.

D) Six course emphasis (24 credits), to include:

 —4 courses on one focus area or country

 —2 courses on another area or country in Asia or on diasporic movement(s)

   Students should work with an advisor to determine appropriate courses in the area(s) of their focus.

E) Capstone experience: senior seminar or independent project focusing on Asia

F) A six-course focus in a discipline whose methods relate to the study of Asia (recommended disciplines include, but are not limited to, anthropology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, women’s, gender, and sexuality studies). Six courses in interdisciplinary programs (humanities and media and cultural studies, urban studies, etc.) do not fulfill this requirement. These six courses may overlap with those in category (D) above.

Asian Studies Minor Requirements

A minor in Asian Studies includes courses chosen in consultation with an advisor from within the program. Requirements include:

A) Language proficiency (at levels outlined above)

B) Three courses on area of focus; one on another area in Asia or on diasporic movement(s)

C) Asian Studies 111, Introduction to Asian Studies

Chinese Language and Culture Minor Requirements

A minor in Chinese Language and Culture includes courses chosen in consultation with an advisor from within the department. Requirements include:

A) two intermediate level Chinese courses (Asian Studies 203 and 204)

B) two advanced level Chinese courses (Asian Studies 305 and 306)

C) three additional courses with focus on a Chinese-speaking culture (including at least one Asian Languages and Cultures course. Contact the chair for acceptable courses.)

Topics Courses

194, 294, 394, 494

Examination of selected topics of concern to Asian studies. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)


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