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, 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 East Asia related courses, and not including the 2 units of senior comps work).

Survey Course

Students must select one course from the list below:

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. 

Electives

Students must select six additional courses. In addition to CHIN and JAPN courses numbered 201 and above, students may select electives from the seminars listed above or from the list below:

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 Independent Study (ASN 499) 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

Language Component

Students must complete five courses total.

Literature in Translation

Students must complete one course from the list below:

Methods/Theory

Students must complete one course from the list below:

Electives

Three additional China-related courses selected from the list below:

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 Independent Study (CHIN 499) in the spring to expand the fall semester senior comprehensive paper into a distinguished 40-page paper.

Minor

Five courses (20 units) numbered CHIN 202 and above. LING 301 may fulfill one of these courses. 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

Language Component

Five courses total.

Literature in Translation

Select one course from:

Methods or Theory

Electives

Three additional Japan-related courses selected from below:

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 Independent Study (JAPN 499) 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) numbered JAPN 202 and above. LING 301 may fulfill one of these course requirements. 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 Proficiency

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

This requirement is fulfilled through either a seminar course (JAPN 271 or JAPN 273) or a 2-unit Independent Study 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 Japanese.

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 Independent Study (ASN 497) 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 Independent Study (CHIN 497) 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 Chinese.

Japanese Studies

Students will fulfill this requirement by completing a seminar course or a 2-unit Independent Study (JAPN 497) in the fall semester of the senior year, in which the student will produce a 20-page paper written in English on China, Japan, or an East Asian comparative/transnational topic; in the spring semester, the student will make any required revisions and prepare an oral presentation to be given in English.

Advising Information

Asian Studies

The study of an East Asian language is foundational to the major. The earlier you begin taking Chinese or Japanese the better. First-year students who are interested in the East Asian Studies major are encouraged to take an East Asian survey course (AMST 280, ARTH 160, HIST 141, POLS 227, or RELS 160) as a gateway course.

Placement Information

Students who have previously studied either Japanese or Chinese should take the placement exam for that language as early as possible.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• Asian Studies majors are required to take at least two semesters of Chinese or Japanese language courses number 201 or above.

• See the Catalog for lists of courses that fulfill the major’s Survey Course, Seminar, and Elective requirements. 

Chinese Studies

First-year students who are interested in the Chinese Studies major are advised to take CHIN 101 (Elementary Chinese I) and CHIN 102 (Elementary Chinese II) in their first year as gateway courses. Students who already have proficiency in Chinese should take the placement exam or submit a qualifying standardized test score (see Placement Information below) in order to identify the appropriate course to start their studies. Please contact Major Coordinator Prof. Meimei Zhang (mzhang2@oxy.edu) with any questions.

Placement Information

Students interested in the Chinese Studies major who have previous experience with the language should take the Chinese Placement Exam. Students studying Chinese for the first time can enroll in CHIN 101 without taking the exam. 

An exception: you do not need to take Occidental’s Placement exam if any of the following are true:  

• Students who received a 4 on the AP Chinese exam are placed into CHIN 201.

• Students who received a 5 on the AP Chinese exam are placed into CHIN 202.

• Students who received a score of 550-679 on the Chinese SAT Subject Test are placed into CHIN 101. 

• Students who received a score of 680 or above on the Chinese SAT Subject Test are placed into CHIN 102.  

Note: To use a standardized test score for placement you must have the official score report sent to the Registrar’s Office.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Japanese Studies

First-year students who are new to the language and are interested in the Japanese Studies major are advised to take JAPN 101 (Elementary Japanese I) and JAPN 102 (Elementary Japanese II) in their first year as gateway courses. Students who already have proficiency in Japanese should take the placement exam or submit a qualifying standardized test score (see Placement Information below) in order to identify the appropriate course to start their studies.

Placement Information

Students interested in the Japanese Studies major who have previous experience with the language should take the Japanese Placement Exam. Students studying Japanese for the first time can enroll in JAPN 101 without taking the exam. 

Exception: you do not need to take Occidental’s Placement exam if any of the following are true:  

• Students who received a 4 on the AP Japanese exam are placed into JAPN 201.
• Students who received a 5 on the AP Japanese exam are placed into JAPN 202.
• Students who received a score of 540-669 on the Japanese with Listening SAT Subject Test are placed into JAPN 101. 
• Students who received a score of 670 or above on the Japanese with Listening SAT Subject Test are placed into JAPN 102.  

Note: To use a standardized test score for placement you must have the official score report sent to the Registrar’s Office.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Transfer Credit Policies

The 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.

Courses

Asian Studies Courses

Chinese Studies Courses

Japanese Studies Courses

Faculty

Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty

Alexander F. Day, chair

Associate Professor, History and Asian Studies

B.A., Colby College; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz

Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa

Associate Professor, Religious Studies and Asian Studies

B.A., Victoria University of Wellington; Ph.D., Australian National University 

Meimei Zhang

Assistant Professor
B.A., Beijing Foreign Studies University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

On Special Appointment

Swee Fong Lee

Visiting Instructor

B.A., Tokyo Gakugei University; M.A., Hitotsubashi University; M.A., California State University, Long Beach

Wanmeng Li

Visiting Assistant Professor

B.A., Tsinghua University; M.A.,Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Yuki Taylor

Visiting Associate Professor

B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Other faculty associated with the Asian Studies department can be viewed here.