East Asian Studies
2018-19 General Catalog
Department of History
201 Humanities
(831) 459-2982
https://eastasianstudies.ucsc.edu/
Program Description
East Asian studies addresses the three societies of China, Japan, and Korea in northeast Asia. We recognize that they compose a meaningful regional designation that contains a diverse range of peoples, languages, and cultures. Linked by centuries of common use of the Chinese writing system, a shared textual canon, general principles of statecraft, and the continual circulation of people and goods, the three societies nevertheless also possess distinctive languages, histories, and social identities, making it necessary to explore each society in its own right.
In recognition of this diversity within the common bonds, East Asian studies at UCSC encourages students to explore East Asia in both depth and breadth. Building first upon developing language skills in Chinese or Japanese, students also begin their studies in one of two historical surveys—History 40A, Early Modern East Asia, or History 40B, The Making of Modern East Asia—which explore the broad regional forces that contextualize each society’s particular trajectory. From these foundations, students are encouraged to investigate a broad range of questions pertinent to each society in classes across the university, including anthropology, economics, education, feminist studies, film and digital media, history, history of art and visual culture, languages, linguistics, literature, music, politics, sociology, and theater arts.
The East Asian studies minor is administered by the Department of History. For additional information on curriculum and advising, go to the East Asian studies website.
Requirements for the Minor
Language. All East Asian studies minors are expected to gain proficiency in Chinese or Japanese language. Students with prior knowledge of Chinese or Japanese are required to complete a language placement exam. Instructions for the placement exam can be found on the Languages and Applied Linguistics website. Students without prior knowledge of Chinese or Japanese should enroll in beginning Chinese (CHIN 1) or Japanese (JAPN 1) no later than fall quarter of the sophomore year. Students may also pursue study abroad opportunities as a way of acquiring Chinese or Japanese language instruction (see below).
All East Asian studies minors are required to complete at least two upper-division courses in Chinese or Japanese language instruction. Additional upper-division offerings in Chinese or Japanese language instruction may be applied to the upper-division electives requirements (see below).Core Courses. One required core course: History 40A, Early Modern East Asia, or History 40B, The Making of Modern East Asia.
Upper-Division Electives. Three additional upper-division courses from the East Asian studies curriculum, one of which may be an individual study (course 199).
A minimum of 25 upper-division credits must be completed within the East Asian studies minor course requirements.
Study Abroad
Because the minor is designed to support the integration of language training with exploration of East Asian societies, we strongly endorse participation in one of the many education abroad programs available for UC students in East Asia where language skills acquired at the university are put to practical use in daily life and research. At present, there are UC Education Abroad Programs in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. All students interested in studying abroad should meet with the East Asian Studies director prior to their departure. Students who participate in study abroad are required to complete a language placement exam upon their return. Instructions for the placement exam can be found on the Languages and Applied Linguistics website. For more information on the program, see the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) websites: the UCSC Global Engagement website, and the UC system-wide website.
Revised: 07/15/18
