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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