East Asian Languages & Cultures Major & Minor
The Bi-College Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is housed at both Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. Our mission is to foster learning about East Asia through rigorous language study and through deep and exploratory engagement with prominent themes and sources from East Asian countries.
Curriculum & Courses
EALC offers up to five years of instruction in Chinese and Japanese language and an array of courses on East Asian culture taught in English, including such topics as religion, visual culture, film, gender, history, and literature. The Major seeks to train students in language, guide them through a curriculum that situates East Asian culture within global discourses, and nurture their skills in critical thinking, research, and writing. The two language programs, Chinese and Japanese, are central and foremost in this effort. Minors are offered in each of the languages. There is also a Minor in EALC. (See details on the requirements of the Major and the three Minor tracks below.) Many students choose to study abroad in China or Japan during the school year or during the summer to enrich their knowledge and experience; alumni have pursued a wide variety of fields after graduation, both in East Asia and in the United States. Students also take advantage of offerings on East Asia at Swarthmore and Penn; such courses may be applied to credit towards the major or minor.
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EALC Major Requirements - Twelve Courses
Two introductory courses, Major Seminar, Capstone
- EALC 131 Chinese Civ. (can be replaced with alternate 100 level on China)
- EALC 132 Japanese Civ. (can be replaced with alternate 100 level on Japan)
- EALC 200 Themes and Methods in the study of East Asia*
- EALC 398 Senior Thesis (This is a single semester thesis offered only in the fall)
*EALC 200 is the BMC Writing Intensive (WI) Course designated for the EALC major
Two Terms of Intermediate/Advanced Language
- Two terms of Japanese or Chinese at Third-Year level or above
Students who demonstrate the equivalent of third year level or above in Chinese or Japanese (with approval of the respective language director) may petition to substitute alternative coursework with major advisor approval
Six Electives
- Two must be 300-level EALC courses
- Four other electives selected from 200 or 300 level. Students can substitute up to one 100 level and up to two non-EALC (including CNSE, JNSE, or KORN) courses with major advisor approval.
Requirements for Honors
The departmental faculty awards honors based on superior performance in two areas: coursework in major-related courses (including language classes), and the senior thesis. The faculty requires a minimum 3.7 average in major-related coursework to consider a student for honors.
Senior Prizes
Graduating Seniors in EALC are eligible for the “Margaret Mayeda Petersson Prize,” which recognizes a spirit of engagement and enthusiasm through the major and the thesis project.
EALC-sponsored Prizes
Graduating Seniors from any department who have studied Chinese are eligible for the “Hu Shih Prize in Chinese” which recognizes excellence and dedication in the study of the Chinese language. -
Language Minor Requirements
Chinese Minor and Japanese Minor Requirements
The Chinese language and Japanese language minors both require six language courses. Students must take at least four language courses in our Bi-Co programs, and can take at most two at the Quaker Consortium or our approved off-campus domestic or Study Abroad programs. The most advanced course taken for the minor will be at the BiCo.
Candidates for the Minor are approved in consultation with the language program directors.
EALC Minor
The EALC minor requires six courses taken in the EALC Department, including language courses. The mix must include EALC 200 and one 300-level course.
Associated Programs and Concentrations
Research & Outreach
EALC majors produce a thesis, a work of original research, on a topic that falls within an EALC faculty member’s area of expertise. By the close of junior year, each student prepares a thesis proposal. That summer, many conduct primary research while studying abroad. Students focus on writing during the fall of senior year and submit a final draft early in the spring. The Department’s senior seminar course, which combines group sessions and one-on-one meetings with faculty advisors, offers our majors critical guidance and support as they produce this capstone work.
In her thesis, the East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC) major studied the relationship between humans and animals in ancient Chinese dynasties to better understand contemporary animal welfare.
The history and East Asian languages and cultures double major analyzed the dynamics of Japan as an imperial power in the interwar period.
This course examines the relationship between environment and the arts in China and Japan—particularly how artists engage with and respond to nature through varied modes of artistic production and exhibition.
After Graduation
EALC majors graduate having honed general communication and analytical skills as well those specific to comprehending and thriving in China and Japan. Prepared to enter graduate programs in East Asian Studies or related areas, they are also equipped to enter a range of careers in China and Japan and those in the U.S. that require a deep understanding of East Asian culture and its languages.
This EALC major and Chinese minor is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Education.
Athanassiadis is living in Ningbo, China, counseling high school students seeking an education abroad.
Cho works in the media & entertainment business in a dual position.
Farina is an entrepreneur who helps young people get the advantage they need to success in their job search and career.
Heaton is a staff engineer with Walker & Company Brands, and contributes to and manages a software development team within a company that solves health and beauty problems for people of color.
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You can find detailed instructions and information on the Application Instructions page. If you need to contact us directly, please send an email to admission@haverford.edu.
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