Asian Studies
Located on the Pacific Rim in a city with one of the largest and most diverse Asian populations in the US, Occidental’s Asian Studies Department offers three majors: Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, and Japanese Studies. With faculty who teach courses across nine departments, the Asian Studies Department is interdisciplinary, offering courses on Asian societies and cultures from various perspectives, including American studies, art history, history, international relations, language and literature, media and film studies, politics, and religious studies. All three majors require the study of language and encourage significant study abroad in Asia with strong programs in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The deep interdisciplinary dive into Asian societies and cultures that the majors offer embodies the essence of the liberal arts tradition at Oxy and provides students with a strong foundation to pursue international and multicultural careers in an increasingly connected, globalized world.
Asian Studies
The Asian Studies major is intended for students who wish to engage in the study of societies and cultures from the Asian region. Building upon an interdisciplinary and transnational foundation, the Asian Studies major encourages students to pursue one or more disciplinary approaches to the study of Asia, such as art history, diplomacy and world affairs, history, Chinese language and culture, Japanese language and culture, literature, film and media, arts and culture, politics, and religious studies. Students may also explore particular issues of Asia across boundaries and disciplines.
Major
A minimum of 10 courses (to be selected from a pre-approved list of Asia-related courses, and not including the 2 units of senior comps work).
Survey Course
Students must select one course from the list below:
| AMST 280/DWA 246 | The United States and East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 160 | Introduction to East Asian Art | 4 units |
| ASN 221 | Asian Feminisms | 4 units |
| DWA 253 | Security in Asia | 4 units |
| HIST 141 | East Asian Survey | 4 units |
| POLS 227 | East Asian Politics: China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan | 4 units |
| RELS 160 | How to Live and Die Well in Buddhist Traditions | 4 units |
Language
At least two semesters of Chinese or Japanese numbered 201 or above.
Seminar
The following courses may count toward the one-course seminar requirement. Students are encouraged to take the seminar by the end of their junior year and to select from the list below in consultation with their major advisor.
| ARTH 360 | Women in Art in East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 365 | Gender and Art in Japan | 4 units |
| HIST 245/DWA 245 | China and the World | 4 units |
| HIST 344 | Contemporary China: Reform, Rise, and Crisis | 4 units |
| HIST 346 | The Transformation of Urban and Rural China | 4 units |
| HIST 348 | The Chinese Cultural Revolution and the Global Sixties | 4 units |
| RELS 261 | Between Empire and Appropriation: Buddhism in the Modern World | 4 units |
| RELS 276 | Empire and Religion in Asia and the Pacific | 4 units |
| RELS 335 | Downloading Deities, Mediating Meditation, Streaming Spirits: Religion and Media in Asia | 4 units |
Electives
Students must select six additional courses. In addition to CHIN and JAPN courses (numbered 201 and above) and any 4-unit ASN course, students may select additional electives from the surveys and seminars listed above or from the list below:
| AMST 270 | Asian American Literature | 4 units |
| AMST 272/ASN 272 | Asian Immigrants in American Society | 4 units |
| AMST 280/DWA 246 | The United States and East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 160 | Introduction to East Asian Art | 4 units |
| ARTH 268 | The Japanese Woodblock Print | 4 units |
| ARTH 360 | Women in Art in East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 365 | Gender and Art in Japan | 4 units |
| ASN 130 | Introduction to Korean Society and Culture | 4 units |
| ASN 131 | Korean Pop Culture | 4 units |
| ASN 150/CSLC 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 161/CSLC 161 | Modern Japanese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 193 | Directed Research | 2 or 4 units |
| ASN 221 | Asian Feminisms | 4 units |
| ASN 252/CSLC 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| ASN 253/CSLC 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| ASN 260/CSLC 260 | Popular Culture and Literary Traditions of Early Modern Japan | 4 units |
| ASN 293 | Directed Research | 2 or 4 units |
| ASN 295/CSLC 295 | Topics in Asian Studies | 4 units |
| ASN 393 | Directed Research | 2 or 4 units |
| CSLC 150/ASN 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| CSLC 252/ASN 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| CSLC 253/ASN 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| DWA 237 | Cuba, Vietnam, China: Communism in a Post-Communist World | 4 units |
| DWA 238 | Identity and Citizenship: The South Asian Diaspora | 4 units |
| DWA 245/HIST 245 | China and the World | 4 units |
| DWA 253 | Security in Asia | 4 units |
| EDUC 211 | Asian American Education in K-16 Contexts | 4 units |
| HIST 141 | East Asian Survey | 4 units |
| HIST 169/RELS 169 | Transpacific Movements and Activisms: Asian and Asian American Connections Across the Pacific | 4-units |
| HIST 242 | Imperial China | 4 units |
| HIST 243 | Modern China: Colonialism, Nationalism, and Revolution | 4 units |
| HIST 245/DWA 245 | China and the World | 4 units |
| HIST 248 | Modern Japan | 4 units |
| HIST 249 | Modern Korea | 4 units |
| HIST 344 | Contemporary China: Reform, Rise, and Crisis | 4 units |
| HIST 346 | The Transformation of Urban and Rural China | 4 units |
| HIST 348 | The Chinese Cultural Revolution and the Global Sixties | 4 units |
| MUSC 103 | Music of Asia and the Pacific Islands | 4 units |
| PHIL 213 | Medieval Arabic-Islamic Philosophy | 4 units |
| POLS 226 | Contemporary Chinese Politics | 4 units |
| POLS 227 | East Asian Politics: China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan | 4 units |
| RELS 120 | How to Live in the Midst of Dying: Religion and Climate Change | 4 units |
| RELS 150 | Introduction to Islam | 4 units |
| RELS 160 | How to Live and Die Well in Buddhist Traditions | 4 units |
| RELS 215 | Shamans, Sages, and Spirits in East Asia | 4 units |
| RELS 252 | Islam and Capitalism | 4 units |
| RELS 255 | What is the Shari’a? Justice, Law, and Ethics in Islam | 4 units |
| RELS 256 | Borderland Buddhisms: Religion in Tibet and the Himalayas | 4 units |
| RELS 258 | Magic, Morality, and Modernity in China | 4 units |
| RELS 261 | Between Empire and Appropriation: Buddhism in the Modern World | 4 units |
| RELS 266 | Sexuality and Gender in Buddhism | 4 units |
| RELS 276 | Empire and Religion in Asia and the Pacific | 4 units |
| RELS 335 | Downloading Deities, Mediating Meditation, Streaming Spirits: Religion and Media in Asia | 4 units |
Students may also apply MAC 244 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "The Female in Japanese Film and Media" or the "Asian American Film and Media" sections of the course.
Students may also apply MAC 246 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "New Waves of Asian Cinema" section of the course.
Students may also apply MAC 248 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "Transpacific Social Justice" section of the course.
Students may also apply MAC 260 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "Women Making Moves" section of the course.
Honors in the Major
Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisors, the student will enroll in a 2-unit Directed Research in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a 40-page paper that will be evaluated to determine whether the student has achieved Honors.
Minor
Five courses (20 units) from the Asian Studies course list. CHIN 201 and JAPN 201 or above may be counted toward the minor. At least two of these courses must be taken at Occidental.
Chinese Studies
The Chinese Studies major enables students to delve into the study of Chinese culture through the lens of language, literature, and other disciplinary offerings on campus.
Major
Total of nine courses minimum.
Language Component
Four Chinese language courses, at the level of CHIN 201 and above.
| CHIN 201 | Intermediate Chinese I | 5 units |
| CHIN 202 | Intermediate Chinese II | 5 units |
| CHIN 301 | Expository Essays and Short Narratives I | 4 units |
| CHIN 310 | Expository Essays and Short Narratives II | 4 units |
| CHIN 330 | Topics in Fiction and Film | 4 units |
| CHIN 338 | Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 5 units |
| CHIN 350 | Classical Chinese Texts | 4 units |
| CHIN 460 | Translating Chinese I | 4 units |
Literature in Translation and Theory
Students must complete two courses from the list below:
| ASN 150/CSLC 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 252/CSLC 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| ASN 253/CSLC 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| CHIN 338 | Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 5 units |
| CHIN 460 | Translating Chinese I | 4 units |
| LING 301 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 units |
Only ASN 295 courses that are Chinese literature in translation courses count for this requirement.
East Asian Electives
The remainder of the nine total required courses are chosen from the below list of East Asia-related elective courses and can include up to two 201 and above CHIN courses.
| AMST 270 | Asian American Literature | 4 units |
| AMST 272/ASN 272 | Asian Immigrants in American Society | 4 units |
| AMST 280/DWA 246 | The United States and East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 160 | Introduction to East Asian Art | 4 units |
| ARTH 360 | Women in Art in East Asia | 4 units |
| ASN 150/CSLC 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 252/CSLC 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| ASN 253/CSLC 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| ASN 260/CSLC 260 | Popular Culture and Literary Traditions of Early Modern Japan | 4 units |
| ASN 272/AMST 272 | Asian Immigrants in American Society | 4 units |
| CSLC 150/ASN 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| CSLC 252/ASN 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| CSLC 253/ASN 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| DWA 237 | Cuba, Vietnam, China: Communism in a Post-Communist World | 4 units |
| DWA 245/HIST 245 | China and the World | 4 units |
| HIST 141 | East Asian Survey | 4 units |
| HIST 242 | Imperial China | 4 units |
| HIST 243 | Modern China: Colonialism, Nationalism, and Revolution | 4 units |
| HIST 245/DWA 245 | China and the World | 4 units |
| HIST 344 | Contemporary China: Reform, Rise, and Crisis | 4 units |
| HIST 346 | The Transformation of Urban and Rural China | 4 units |
| HIST 348 | The Chinese Cultural Revolution and the Global Sixties | 4 units |
| MUSC 103 | Music of Asia and the Pacific Islands | 4 units |
| POLS 226 | Contemporary Chinese Politics | 4 units |
| POLS 227 | East Asian Politics: China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan | 4 units |
| RELS 160 | How to Live and Die Well in Buddhist Traditions | 4 units |
| RELS 215 | Shamans, Sages, and Spirits in East Asia | 4 units |
| RELS 256 | Borderland Buddhisms: Religion in Tibet and the Himalayas | 4 units |
| RELS 258 | Magic, Morality, and Modernity in China | 4 units |
| RELS 261 | Between Empire and Appropriation: Buddhism in the Modern World | 4 units |
| RELS 266 | Sexuality and Gender in Buddhism | 4 units |
| RELS 276 | Empire and Religion in Asia and the Pacific | 4 units |
| RELS 335 | Downloading Deities, Mediating Meditation, Streaming Spirits: Religion and Media in Asia | 4 units |
Students may also apply MAC 246 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "New Waves of Asian Cinema" section of the course.
Honors in the Major
Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisers, the student will enroll in a 2-unit directed research course in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a distinguished 40-page paper.
Minor
Five courses (20 units). At least four Chinese language classes, 201 and above; can include one Chinese literature in translation course or LING 301. Three of the five courses must be completed as Occidental courses (one of the three MUST be taken at the Eagle Rock campus. The other two may be taken at an Occidental-in-China campus).
Japanese Studies
The Japanese Studies major enables students to delve into the study of Japanese culture through the lens of language, literature, and other disciplinary offerings on campus.
Major
Total of nine courses minimum.
Language Component
Four Japanese language courses, at the level of JAPN 201 and above.
| JAPN 201 | Intermediate Japanese I | 5 units |
| JAPN 202 | Intermediate Japanese II | 5 units |
| JAPN 301 | Advanced Japanese I | 4 units |
| JAPN 302 | Advanced Japanese II | 4 units |
| JAPN 303 | Advanced Japanese Readings | 4 units |
| JAPN 340 | Language in News Media and Advertising | 4 units |
| JAPN 350 | Tales of the Supernatural | 4 units |
| JAPN 460 | Translating Texts | 4 units |
Literature in Translation and Theory
Two courses out of the list below:
| ASN 161/CSLC 161 | Modern Japanese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 260/CSLC 260 | Popular Culture and Literary Traditions of Early Modern Japan | 4 units |
| ASN 295/CSLC 295 | Topics in Asian Studies | 4 units |
| CSLC 161/ASN 161 | Modern Japanese Literature | 4 units |
| JAPN 271 | Fiction in Japanese Literature and Film | 4 units |
| JAPN 460 | Translating Texts | 4 units |
| LING 301 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 units |
Only ASN 295 that is listed as a Japanese literature in translation course counts for this requirement.
East Asian Electives
The remainder of the nine total required courses are chosen from the below list of East Asia-related elective courses and can include up to two 201 and above JAPN courses.
| AMST 270 | Asian American Literature | 4 units |
| AMST 272/ASN 272 | Asian Immigrants in American Society | 4 units |
| AMST 280/DWA 246 | The United States and East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 160 | Introduction to East Asian Art | 4 units |
| ARTH 268 | The Japanese Woodblock Print | 4 units |
| ARTH 360 | Women in Art in East Asia | 4 units |
| ARTH 365 | Gender and Art in Japan | 4 units |
| ARTH 368 | Japanese Painting | 4 units |
| ASN 150/CSLC 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| ASN 252/CSLC 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| ASN 253/CSLC 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| ASN 272/AMST 272 | Asian Immigrants in American Society | 4 units |
| CSLC 150/ASN 150 | The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Masterpieces of Classical Chinese Literature | 4 units |
| CSLC 252/ASN 252 | To Dwell or to Wander: Reading Confucius and Zhuangzi | 4 units |
| CSLC 253/ASN 253 | The Golden Era: Literature of China's Tang and Song Dynasty | 4 units |
| HIST 141 | East Asian Survey | 4 units |
| HIST 248 | Modern Japan | 4 units |
| POLS 227 | East Asian Politics: China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan | 4 units |
| RELS 160 | How to Live and Die Well in Buddhist Traditions | 4 units |
| RELS 215 | Shamans, Sages, and Spirits in East Asia | 4 units |
| RELS 261 | Between Empire and Appropriation: Buddhism in the Modern World | 4 units |
| RELS 266 | Sexuality and Gender in Buddhism | 4 units |
| RELS 276 | Empire and Religion in Asia and the Pacific | 4 units |
| RELS 335 | Downloading Deities, Mediating Meditation, Streaming Spirits: Religion and Media in Asia | 4 units |
Students may also apply MAC 244 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "The Female in Japanese Film and Media" section of the course.
Students may also apply MAC 246 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "New Waves of Asian Cinema" section of the course.
Students may also apply MAC 260 as an elective if they have enrolled in the "Women Making Moves" section of the course.
Honors in the Major
Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a major GPA of 3.50 may submit an honors research proposal at the end of the fall semester of the senior year. If the proposal is supported by two faculty advisors, the student will enroll in a 2-unit directed research course in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a 40-page paper that will be evaluated to determine whether the student has achieved Honors.
Minor
Five courses (20 units). At least four Japanese language classes, 201 and above. Can include one Japanese literature in translation course or LING 301. Three of the five courses must be completed as Occidental courses (one of the three MUST be taken at the Eagle Rock campus. The other two may be taken at an Occidental-in-Japan campus).
Second-Stage Writing
Asian Studies
Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement by submitting a paper in English from a 300-level or seminar course (in any subject) in the fall semester of the senior year, which will be evaluated by the appropriate program chair.
Chinese Studies
Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing requirement by submitting a paper in English from a 300-level or seminar course (in any subject) in the fall semester of the senior year, which will be evaluated by the appropriate major coordinator.
Japanese Studies
Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing requirement by submitting a paper in English from a 300-level or seminar course (in any subject) in the fall semester of the senior year, which will be evaluated by the appropriate major coordinator.
Comprehensive Requirement
Asian Studies
Students will produce a 20-page paper written in English on East Asian comparative/transnational topic, typically by completing a seminar course or a 2-unit Directed Research in the fall semester of the senior year. In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.
Chinese Studies
This requirement is fulfilled through either a seminar course (CSLC 252, or CHIN 460) or a 2-unit Directed Research in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce: either (1) a 20-page paper written in English on Chinese language or literature, including source texts written in Chinese; or (2) an annotated translation, with commentary, of a Chinese language text into English. In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.
Japanese Studies
Students will fulfill this requirement by completing a seminar course or a 2-unit Directed Research in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce: either (1) a 20-page paper written in English on Japanese language or literature, including source texts written in Japanese; or (2) an annotated translation, with commentary, of a Japanese language text into English. In the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.
Transfer Credit Policies
The East Asian Studies Program does not accept online courses for transfer.
Students who earn a score of 4 on the AP Chinese Language examination will earn four units of credit and be placed into CHIN 201 while those who earn a score of 5 will earn four units of credit and be placed in to CHIN 202. Students who earn a score of 4 on the AP Japanese Language examination will earn four units of credit and be placed into JAPN 201 while those who earn a score of 5 will earn four units of credit and be placed into JAPN 202. The department does not award credit or placement for IB or A-level examinations.
At most four courses will be accepted in transfer toward the major. At most two courses will be accepted toward in transfer toward the minor.
For students transferring from another institution or students who have taken a leave of absence for at least one semester at most six courses will be accepted toward the major in transfer, while at most three courses will be accepted toward the minor in transfer.
Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for more details.