Asian Languages and Cultures, Ph.D.

Program Overview

The interdisciplinary Asian Languages and Cultures program at the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students explore Asia from multiple perspectives, including transregional and transdisciplinary approaches. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of Asian languages, cultures, and histories, preparing graduates for careers in academia, government, business, and the non-profit sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers a new interdisciplinary M.A. and Ph.D. program in Asian Languages and Cultures. Students may take advantage of the many opportunities within the department and on campus to do in-depth research on Asia from multiple disciplinary perspectives and across the traditional area studies divisions of East, South, and Southeast Asia. We welcome applications from students who are interested in working transregionally, transdisciplinarily, or both. This includes students with a traditional background in Asian Studies and related academic fields as well as those whose path to studying Asia has been through professional work.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a deep understanding of the languages, cultures, and histories of Asia
• To train students in the methods of research and scholarship in Asian studies
• To prepare students for careers in academia, government, business, and the non-profit sector

Program Structure:

• The M.A.
program requires 36 credits of coursework, including 18 credits of core courses and 18 credits of electives.
• The Ph.D. program requires 72 credits of coursework, including 36 credits of core courses and 36 credits of electives.
• Students in both the M.A.
and Ph.D. programs must also complete a research thesis or dissertation.

Course Schedule:

• Core courses in the M.A.
program include:
• Introduction to Asian Studies
• Theories and Methods in Asian Studies
• Advanced Language Study
• Core courses in the Ph.D. program include:
• Advanced Topics in Asian Studies
• Research Methods in Asian Studies
• Dissertation Seminar

Modules:

• The M.A.
program offers a variety of elective courses in the following areas:
• Chinese language and literature
• Japanese language and literature
• Korean language and literature
• South Asian studies
• Southeast Asian studies
• Tibetan studies
• The Ph.D. program offers a variety of elective courses in the following areas:
• Chinese language and literature
• Japanese language and literature
• Korean language and literature
• South Asian studies
• Southeast Asian studies
• Tibetan studies
• Transregional studies

Assessment:

• Students in the M.A.
program are assessed through a combination of exams, papers, and presentations.
• Students in the Ph.D. program are assessed through a combination of exams, papers, presentations, and a dissertation.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields.
• The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, and workshops.
• The program also offers a number of opportunities for students to participate in research and teaching.

Careers:

• Graduates of the program have gone on to careers in academia, government, business, and the non-profit sector.
• Some graduates have also gone on to pursue further study in law, medicine, and other professional fields.