East Asian Languages & Cultures

Academic Department Introduction

The languages and cultures of China, Japan, and Korea play a critical role in our increasingly interconnected world. The East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC) Department offers an immersive study of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, from beginning to advanced levels. By the fourth year, students are adept readers who are able to express themselves with sophistication on a range of topics, both orally and on the page. In courses taught in English, students learn about all aspects of ancient and modern East Asian culture.

Many EALC students spend a summer, semester, or year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken. This opportunity connects students with people in their host countries while immersing them in the language and culture. Many students complete their major or minor credits while abroad, enabling them to take more elective courses (or focus on their other major) when they return to Wellesley.

Learning goals

  • Understand literature, articles, social media, film, and other material in the target language.

  • Present ideas in the target language.

  • Master levels of formality appropriate to specific social and professional settings.

  • Understand East Asian classical traditions as well as modern literature and culture.

  • Identify salient marks of East Asian national cultures and draw connections among them.

  • Assemble research materials in both English and primary language courses.

Programs of Study

EALC major

Students follow one of three tracks: Chinese language and culture, Japanese language and culture, or Korean language and culture. In each track, they learn a language and explore sociocultural practices through coursework and study abroad experiences.

Options for minor

Students majoring in another discipline can minor in Chinese language and culture, Japanese language and culture, or Korean language and culture.

Course highlights

  • This course explores the cinematic conventions and experiments employed by Chinese filmmakers over the past hundred years. Unique Chinese film genres such as left-wing melodrama, martial arts films and model play adaptations, as well as the three "new waves" in China's recent avant-garde cinema, will be examined and discussed. Individual filmic visions and techniques experimented with by important directors such as Fei Mu, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Zhang Yimou, and Jia Zhangke will be closely analyzed. Class discussions will aim to help students understand the history, politics, and aesthetics of Chinese cinema. Theoretical aspects of film studies will also be incorporated into class readings and discussions. No prior knowledge of China or film studies is required. (CAMS 203 and CHIN 243 are cross-listed courses.)
  • This seminar explores linguistic tapestry of East Asia, focusing on the distinct features, structures, and variations that characterize Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Through lively discussions and hands-on projects, we will examine the unique linguistic and cultural heritages of these languages. From their intricate writing systems and complex grammar to the diverse range of sociolinguistic patterns and dialects, we will uncover the layers that make each language unique. Central to our exploration will be the role of Confucian ideology, the vibrant influence of pop culture, and the transformative impact of AI technology on communication. Through this exploration, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how language profoundly influences and mirrors the rich diversity of life and thought in East Asia. (EALC 123Y and LING 123Y are cross-listed courses.)

Research highlights

Opportunities

  • Mayling Soong Foundation

    Funding for summer study in Asia is available from Wellesley’s Mayling Soong Foundation, named for Mayling Soong Chiang, class of 1917, who became first lady of China.

  • Ted Wang Fellowship

    Students interested in international careers spend a semester at one of our partner institutions in China, Japan, or Korea, gaining advanced knowledge of the culture and language. Fellows receive a stipend to cover the expenses of networking with professionals in their host country.

  • Internships

  • On campus

    Residential language corridors, student organizations, and dining hall language tables offer opportunities to practice speaking skills outside the classroom.

For more

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Beyond Wellesley

Beyond Wellesley

EALC graduates follow a wide range of career paths that draw upon their language and culture knowledge, working in diverse fields, such as journalism, finance, medicine, law, academia, scientific research, diplomacy, politics, library science, computer programming, and IT.

Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures

Address
Green Hall
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
Contact
Mingwei Song
Department Chair
Anna Park
Academic Administrator