Asian Studies
The study of an East Asian language is foundational to the major. The earlier you begin taking Chinese or Japanese the better. First-year students who are interested in the East Asian Studies major are encouraged to take an East Asian survey course (AMST 280, ARTH 160, HIST 141, POLS 227, or RELS 160) as a gateway course.
Placement Information
Students who have previously studied either Japanese or Chinese should take the placement exam for that language as early as possible.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Curricular Notes
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Asian Studies majors are required to take at least two semesters of Chinese or Japanese language courses number 201 or above.
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See the Catalog for lists of courses that fulfill the major’s Survey Course, Seminar, and Elective requirements.
Chinese Studies
First-year students who are interested in the Chinese Studies major are advised to take CHIN 101 (Elementary Chinese I) and CHIN 102 (Elementary Chinese II) in their first year as gateway courses. Students who already have proficiency in Chinese should take the placement exam or submit a qualifying standardized test score (see Placement Information below) in order to identify the appropriate course to start their studies. Please contact Major Coordinator Prof. Meimei Zhang (mzhang2@oxy.edu) with any questions.
Placement Information
Students interested in the Chinese Studies major who have previous experience with the language should take the Chinese Placement Exam. Students studying Chinese for the first time can enroll in CHIN 101 without taking the exam.
An exception: you do not need to take Occidental’s Placement exam if any of the following are true:
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Students who received a 4 on the AP Chinese exam are placed into CHIN 201.
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Students who received a 5 on the AP Chinese exam are placed into CHIN 202.
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Students who received a score of 550-679 on the Chinese SAT Subject Test are placed into CHIN 101.
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Students who received a score of 680 or above on the Chinese SAT Subject Test are placed into CHIN 102.
Note: To use a standardized test score for placement you must have the official score report sent to the Registrar’s Office.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Japanese Studies
First-year students who are new to the language and are interested in the Japanese Studies major are advised to take JAPN 101 (Elementary Japanese I) and JAPN 102 (Elementary Japanese II) in their first year as gateway courses. Students who already have proficiency in Japanese should take the placement exam or submit a qualifying standardized test score (see Placement Information below) in order to identify the appropriate course to start their studies.
Placement Information
Students interested in the Japanese Studies major who have previous experience with the language should take the Japanese Placement Exam. Students studying Japanese for the first time can enroll in JAPN 101 without taking the exam.
Exception: you do not need to take Occidental’s Placement exam if any of the following are true:
- Students who received a 4 on the AP Japanese exam are placed into JAPN 201.
- Students who received a 5 on the AP Japanese exam are placed into JAPN 202.
- Students who received a score of 540-669 on the Japanese with Listening SAT Subject Test are placed into JAPN 101.
- Students who received a score of 670 or above on the Japanese with Listening SAT Subject Test are placed into JAPN 102.
Note: To use a standardized test score for placement you must have the official score report sent to the Registrar’s Office.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Fall |
Spring |
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Year 1 |
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Year 2 |
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Year 3 |
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Year 4 |
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Transfer Credit Policies
The East Asian Studies Program does not accept online courses for transfer.
Students who earn a score of 4 on the AP Chinese Language examination will earn four units of credit and be placed into CHIN 201 while those who earn a score of 5 will earn four units of credit and be placed in to CHIN 202. Students who earn a score of 4 on the AP Japanese Language examination will earn four units of credit and be placed into JAPN 201 while those who earn a score of 5 will earn four units of credit and be placed into JAPN 202. The department does not award credit or placement for IB or A-level examinations.
At most four courses will be accepted in transfer toward the major. At most two courses will be accepted toward in transfer toward the minor.
For students transferring from another institution or students who have taken a leave of absence for at least one semester at most six courses will be accepted toward the major in transfer, while at most three courses will be accepted toward the minor in transfer.
Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for more details.