EAST ASIAN STUDIES

The East Asian Studies major and minor focus on developing an integrated interdisciplinary understanding of the diverse but related historical and cultural traditions of East Asia. Starting with a foundation in Chinese language and history, the curriculum extends that focus across the East Asian region to Japan, and across multiple disciplinary approaches to understanding China, Japan, and East Asia, broadly. The East Asian Studies Program recognizes the diversity of cultural and national traditions that exist across this region, but at the same time seeks to foster an understanding of the common cultural and historical concerns that make “East Asia” a coherent focus of study. Given the complexity of histories and traditions in this region of the world, the East Asian Studies major and minor require interdisciplinary study with a core orientation in history and language, and off-campus study in an East Asian country as part of the curriculum. Our expectation is that the East Asian Studies major will be appropriate for students who seek a broad-based study of East Asia, including course work focused on China and Japan, and who are interested in off-campus study in a Wooster-endorsed program either in Japan, or in a broad-based East Asian Studies program in China. Students whose studies are focused exclusively on China, including off-campus study in China, should consult the Chinese Studies major. The East Asian Studies major and minor are offered through the interdepartmental program in East Asian Studies. Eight faculty members from five departments (six disciplinary areas) contribute to the East Asian Studies Program.