Asian Studies

Located on the Pacific Rim in a city with one of the largest and most diverse Asian populations in the US, Occidental’s Asian Studies Department offers three majors: Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, and Japanese Studies. With faculty who teach courses across nine departments, the Asian Studies Department is interdisciplinary, offering courses on Asian societies and cultures from various perspectives, including American studies, art history, history, international relations, language and literature, media and film studies, politics, and religious studies. All three majors require the study of language and encourage significant study abroad in Asia with strong programs in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The deep interdisciplinary dive into Asian societies and cultures that the majors offer embodies the essence of the liberal arts tradition at Oxy and provides students with a strong foundation to pursue international and multicultural careers in an increasingly connected, globalized world.

Asian Studies

The Asian Studies major is intended for students who wish to engage in the study of societies and cultures from the Asian region. Building upon an interdisciplinary and transnational foundation, the Asian Studies major encourages students to pursue one or more disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia, such as art history, diplomacy and world affairs, history, Chinese language and culture, Japanese language and culture, literature, film and media, arts and culture, politics, and religious studies. Students may also explore particular issues of Asia across boundaries and disciplines.

Major

A minimum of 10 courses (to be selected from a pre-approved list of Asia-related courses, and not including the 2 units of senior comps work).

Survey Course

Students must select one course from the list below:

Language

At least two semesters of Chinese or Japanese numbered 201 or above.

Seminar

The following courses may count toward the one-course seminar requirement. Students are encouraged to take the seminar by the end of their junior year and to select from the list below in consultation with their major advisor. 

Electives

Students must select six additional courses. In addition to CHIN and JAPN courses (numbered 201 and above) and any 4-unit ASN course, students may select additional electives from the surveys and seminars listed above or from the list below:

Honors in the Major

Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisors, the student will enroll in a 2-unit Independent Study (ASN 499) in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a 40-page paper that will be evaluated to determine whether the student has achieved Honors.

Minor

Five courses (20 units) from the Asian Studies course list. CHIN 201 and JAPN 201 or above may be counted toward the minor. At least two of these courses must be taken at Occidental.

Chinese Studies

The Chinese Studies major enables students to delve into the study of Chinese culture through the lens of language, literature, and other disciplinary offerings on campus.

Major

Total of nine courses minimum.

Language Component

Four Chinese language courses, at the level of CHIN 201 and above.

Literature in Translation and Theory

Students must complete two courses from the list below:

East Asian Electives

The remainder of the nine total required courses are chosen from the below list of East Asia-related elective courses and can include up to two 201 and above CHIN courses.

Honors in the Major

Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisers, the student will enroll in a 2-unit Independent Study (CHIN 499) in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a distinguished 40-page paper.

Minor

Five courses (20 units). At least four Chinese language classes, 201 and above; can include one Chinese literature in translation course or LING 301. Three of the five courses must be completed as Occidental courses (one of the three MUST be taken at the Eagle Rock campus. The other two may be taken at an Occidental-in-China campus).

Japanese Studies

The Japanese Studies major enables students to delve into the study of Japanese culture through the lens of language, literature, and other disciplinary offerings on campus.

Major

Total of nine courses minimum.

Language Component

Four Japanese language courses, at the level of JAPN 201 and above.

Literature in Translation and Theory

Two courses out of the list below:

East Asian Electives

The remainder of the nine total required courses are chosen from the below list of East Asia-related elective courses and can include up to two 201 and above JAPN courses.

Honors in the Major

Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisors, the student will enroll in a 2-unit Independent Study (JAPN 499) in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a 40-page paper that will be evaluated to determine whether the student has achieved Honors.

Minor

Five courses (20 units). At least four Japanese language classes, 201 and above. Can include one Japanese literature in translation course or LING 301. Three of the five courses must be completed as Occidental courses (one of the three MUST be taken at the Eagle Rock campus. The other two may be taken at an Occidental-in-Japan campus).

Second-Stage Writing

Asian Studies

Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement by submitting a paper in English from a 300-level or seminar course (in any subject) in the fall semester of the senior year, which will be evaluated by the appropriate program chair.

Chinese Studies

Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing requirement by submitting a paper in English from a 300-level or seminar course (in any subject) in the fall semester of the senior year, which will be evaluated by the appropriate major coordinator.

Japanese Studies

This requirement is fulfilled through either a seminar course (JAPN 271 or JAPN 273) or a 2-unit Independent Study in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce: either (1) a 20-page paper written in English on Japanese language or literature, including source texts written in Japanese; or (2) an annotated translation, with commentary, of a Japanese language text into English. In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in Japanese.

Comprehensive Requirement

Asian Studies

Students will produce a 20-page paper written in English on East Asian comparative/transnational topic, typically by completing a seminar course or a 2-unit Independent Study (ASN 497) in the fall semester of the senior year.  In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.

Chinese Studies

This requirement is fulfilled through either a seminar course (CSLC 252, or CHIN 460) or a 2-unit Independent Study (CHIN 497) in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce: either (1) a 20-page paper written in English on Chinese language or literature, including source texts written in Chinese; or (2) an annotated translation, with commentary, of a Chinese language text into English.  In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in Chinese.

Japanese Studies

Students will fulfill this requirement by completing a seminar course or a 2-unit Independent Study (JAPN 497) in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce a 20-page paper written in English on China, Japan, or an East Asian comparative/transnational topic; in the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.