In the East Asian Studies (EAST) major, students focus on a country or an area within East Asia and concentrate their work in the humanities or the social sciences. The major offers a liberal education that serves as excellent preparation for graduate study or for business and professional careers in which an understanding of East Asia is essential.
EAST is relatively small: usually 8-12 seniors, and as many as 15 juniors, many of whom are double majors. Upon entering the major, students are expected to draw up an intellectually coherent sequence of courses in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in EAST. Students continue to consult with the DUS each term throughout their course of study. Students also, as soon as possible, identify and consult with a faculty adviser in their area of specialization.
As EAST is interdisciplinary, students typically select classes from a wide variety of disciplines. Council faculty offer classes in the departments of Anthropology, East Asian Languages & Literatures, History, History of Art, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology. EAST draws on the resources of other departments and programs in the University, and students are encouraged to examine the offerings of other departments, as well as residential college seminars, for additional relevant courses in both the humanities and the social sciences. The proposed course of study must be approved by the DUS.
Room 238, Humanities Quadrangle, 320 York Street
Office Hours: Mondays, 3:40 PM - 5:20 PM or by appointment
Room 320, Henry R. Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse Avenue
Students considering the major in East Asian Studies should also compare the major in East Asian Languages and Literatures. Whereas the major in East Asian Studies (EAST) allows students to count courses on East Asia from a broad range of Humanities and Social Science disciplines, the major in East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) is focused on the literature, culture, and thought of East Asia. Another difference concerns language study: whereas EAST requires students to take six credits of language, regardless of level, the EALL language requirement is based on attaining a certain level of proficiency in a modern language, plus at least one semester of premodern language. Students who are considering doing graduate work in the literature, thought, and culture of East Asia may find that the EALL major provides deeper and more specialized preparation. Students who are interested in including study of East Asian history, sociology, economics, politics, archeology, art, or religion in their coursework will find the EAST major more suitable and flexible.