Programs by Campus

Bloomington

East Asian Languages and Cultures
College of Arts and Sciences

Departmental E-mail: ealc [at] indiana [dot] edu

Departmental URL: www.indiana.edu/~ealc

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

Master of Arts in Chinese or Japanese, Master of Arts in East Asian Studies, Dual Degree: Master of Arts in East Asian Studies and Master of Business Administration, Joint Master of Arts Program in East Asian Studies and Master of Public Affairs, Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese or Japanese

Special Departmental Requirements

(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)

Admission Requirements

Graduate Record Examination General Test is required. International students admitted into departmental programs must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English or take additional courses to remove deficiencies.

Grade

Students must maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average.

Master of Arts Degree in Chinese or Japanese

Admission Requirement

An undergraduate major in Chinese, Japanese, or East Asian studies or a strong major in any field in the humanities or in the social sciences with general knowledge of the culture of China or Japan. Proficiency in Chinese or Japanese through at least second year is expected.

Course Requirements

A total of 30 credit hours, including M.A. project hours, in approved courses. Ordinarily, at least 20 of these credit hours, not counting thesis hours, must be from among the courses listed under “Chinese” or “Japanese” (depending on the student’s major) on the list that follows, including at least three at the 500 level or above, of which one must be C511 or J511. Please note that third-year language courses do not count toward the required 500-level courses. The remaining credit hours may be taken from other departments at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies. Except for overseas study credits, normally a maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the degree.

Language Requirements

Completion of the fourth-year level or equivalent in the student’s major language. For some areas of research, proficiency in a classical East Asian language, involving up to one year of coursework, may be necessary. Specific program requirements will be determined in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and the student’s Advisory Committee, according to departmental guidelines. Language courses at the third year level or above of the major language and  at the third year level or above of other East Asian languages may be counted toward the degree. Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree. Students planning to apply to Ph.D. programs in fields that typically require a second East Asian language are strongly encouraged to begin such language study during M.A. coursework.

Project

The student may choose either a thesis or an essay.

Thesis

  • Normally 50–80 pages
  • Demonstrates the student’s skills in the use of primary sources and scholarly research.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.
  • The thesis option is strongly recommended to students who wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Essay

  • Normally 40–50 pages
  • Demonstrating the ability to master, use, and critically evaluate a body of scholarly literature in the student’s field.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.
Master of Arts in Chinese or Japanese

Language Pedagogy Track

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree with at least two years of the student’s proposed language of specialization.

Course Requirements

A total of 30 credit hours, including M.A. project hours, in approved courses. At least 20 of these credit hours must be from among the courses listed under “Chinese” or “Japanese” (depending on the student’s major). Of these, students in Chinese language pedagogy must take C535, C525, and C527; students in Japanese language pedagogy must take J520, J525, and J527. Also required is one semester of Literary Chinese or Literary Japanese. The remaining credit hours may be taken from courses in education (e.g., L520 and L630), linguistics (e.g., L503), TESOL/Applied Linguistics (e.g., T532 and T550), and East Asian culture courses, in consultation with the advisor. Except for overseas study credits, normally a maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the degree.

Language Requirements

Completion of the fourth-year level or equivalent in the student’s major language. Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree.

M.A. Project

An M.A. project demonstrating the student’s pedagogical skills is required. The project may take a variety of forms, ranging from an essay involving empirical study of methodological/language acquisition issues to development of concrete teaching tools with pedagogical analyses. Up to 4 credit hours may be counted toward the degree.

Master of Arts Degree in East Asian Studies

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate major in East Asian studies or a strong major in any field in the humanities or in the social sciences with general knowledge of the culture of East Asia. Entering students who have not had the first two years of an East Asian language must remove this deficiency within the first two years of graduate study.

Course Requirements

A total of 30 credit hours, including M.A. project hours, in approved courses. Ordinarily, at least 20 of these credit hours must be from among the courses listed under “Culture and Area Courses” on the list that follows. At least three courses must be at the 500 level or above. Please note that third and fourth-year language courses do not count toward the required 500-level courses. Except for overseas study credits, normally a maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the degree.

Language Requirement

Satisfactory completion of three years of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or the equivalent, as determined by examination. Language courses at the third year level and above may be counted toward the degree. Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree. Students planning to apply to a Ph.D. program in fields that typically require a second East Asian language are strongly encouraged to begin language work during the M.A. program.

Project

The student may choose either a thesis or an essay.

Thesis

  • Normally 50–80 pages
  • Demonstrates the student’s skills in the use of primary sources and scholarly research.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.
  • The thesis option is strongly recommended to students who wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Essay

  • Normally 40–50 pages
  • Demonstrating the ability to master, use, and critically evaluate a body of scholarly literature in the student’s field.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.
Dual Degree: Master of Arts in East Asian Studies and Master of Business Administration

Admission Requirements

Students must separately apply to and be accepted into both the M.B.A. program in business and the M.A. degree program in East Asian studies. The normal criteria for admission to each program apply.  Students may apply for admission to both programs simultaneously. Alternatively, students may begin their studies in either school and then apply to the  second program after admission into the first program. Either way,  students will likely spend one year in the College of Arts and Sciences, one year at the School of Business and the final year completing the final requirements (including the thesis) of both programs.

EALC Course Requirements

30 credit hours, including three social science courses, two history courses, and one humanities course. Ordinarily, at least 18 of these credit hours must be from among the courses listed under “Culture and Area Courses” on the list that follows. At least three courses must be at the 500 level or above. Please note that fourth-year language courses do not count toward the required 500-level courses. Except for overseas study credits, normally a maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the degree. With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, up to 6 of the required 30 credits may be business classes.

Business Course Requirements

Required and elective courses to total 40.5 credit hours of graduate course work. The possibilities of course combinations are many and will depend on your specific career path. For details, contact the M.B.A program office, 812-855-8006.

Language Requirement

Satisfactory completion of three years of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or the equivalent, as determined by examination. Language courses at the third year level and above may be counted toward the degree. Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree.

Project

Jointly supervised by EALC and Business faculty, the student may choose either a thesis or an essay, combining expertise in East Asian studies and business.

Thesis

  • Normally 50–80 pages
  • Demonstrates the student’s skills in the use of primary sources and scholarly research.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.
  • The thesis option is strongly recommended to students who wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Essay

  • Normally 40–50 pages
  • Demonstrating the ability to master, use, and critically evaluate a body of scholarly literature in the student’s field.
  • May be taken for up to 4 credit hours.

Up to 3 credit hours may be counted toward the degree.

Joint Master of Arts Program in East Asian Studies and Master of Public Affairs

Admission Requirements

Students must separately apply to and be accepted into both the M.P.A program in SPEA and the M.A. degree program in East Asian Studies. The normal criteria for admission to each program apply.  Students may apply for admission to both programs simultaneously.  Alternatively, students may begin their studies in either school and then apply to the second program after admission into the first program.

EALC Course Requirements

Twenty-four credit hours, including three social science courses, two history courses, and one humanities course. Ordinarily, at least 18 of these credit hours must be from among the courses listed under “Culture and Area Courses” on the list that follows. At least three courses must be at the 500 level or above. Please note that third and fourth-year language courses do not count toward the required 500-level courses. Except for overseas study credits, normally a maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the degree.

SPEA Course Requirements

Thirty-six credit hours of graduate course work to be distributed as follows: (1) professional development practicum courses; (2) courses in the SPEA core; (3) specialized concentration course, which may include SPEA, EALC, and other courses, to be selected in consultation with a SPEA advisor. For details, contact the SPEA graduate student services office, SPEA 260, 812-855-9485.

Language Requirement

Satisfactory completion of three years of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or the equivalent, as determined by examination. Language courses at the third year level and above may be counted toward the degree. Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree.

Project

The student may choose either a thesis or an essay.

Thesis

  • Normally 50–80 pages)
  • Demonstrates the student’s skills in the use of primary sources and scholarly research.
  • The thesis option is strongly recommended to students who wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Essay

  • Normally 40–50 pages
  • Demonstrating the ability to master, use, and critically evaluate a body of scholarly literature in the student’s field. Up to 3 credit hours may be counted toward the degree.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chinese or Japanese

Admission Requirement

An M.A. in Chinese or Japanese or its equivalent.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 30 credit hours, beyond those taken for the M.A., in departmental courses, as follows: five courses (15 credit hours) at the 400 and 500 levels, of which a minimum of two courses must be at the 500 level; one course (3 credit hours) in research methods/bibliography (C511 or J511); and four seminar courses (16 credit hours), including the seminar in East Asian studies scholarship (EALC-E604). Please note that third and fourth-year language courses do not count toward the five required 400–500-level courses. A dissertation is required.

Minor

A minimum of 12 to 15 credit hours of course work in an outside field, such as comparative literature, fine arts, folklore, history, political science, religious studies, or other approved departments. Examination in the minor if prescribed by the department or program concerned.

Language Requirements

Before the qualifying examination, students must demonstrate proficiency, both oral and reading, in the student’s major language, as well as reading proficiency in French, German, or another European language relevant to their research area. For some areas of research, proficiency in a second modern East Asian language or a classical East Asian language is necessary. Specific program requirements will be determined in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and the student’s Advisory Committee, according to departmental guidelines.  Language courses at the first and second year level will not count toward the degree.

Qualifying Examinations

Upon completion of course work, two written examinations in subject fields (one in the major field of specialization, one in a historical period of the major cultural area) and one oral exam.

Dissertation

On an approved subject in the major language or culture. Up to 15 credit hours may be taken for the dissertation. Following approval by the research committee, the dissertation proposal is presented orally to the department.

Final Examination

Upon completion of the dissertation, a final oral examination on the dissertation and major area.

Ph.D. Minor in Chinese or Japanese

Course Requirements

Doctoral students from other departments may complete a minor in Chinese or Japanese by completing the following:

  1. Proficiency in Chinese or Japanese (completion of the third-year level).
  2. 12 to 15 credit hours, or at least 4 courses, in courses with a majority of content taught in Chinese or Japanese. These courses will be listed under “Chinese” or “Japanese” in this bulletin.

Courses counted toward fulfillment of the language proficiency requirement may not also be counted toward the 12 to 15 hours of Chinese or Japanese content courses. A maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the minor.

Ph.D. Minor in East Asian Studies

Course Requirements

Doctoral students from other departments may complete a minor in East Asian Studies by completing the following:

  1. A minimum of four culture courses in the East Asian Languages and Cultures, two of which must be in fields outside the student’s major discipline.
  2. Proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (completion of the third-year level).
  3. Courses counted toward the fulfillment of the language proficiency requirement may not also be counted toward the culture class requirement. A maximum of 3 credit hours of E595 may be counted toward the minor.

Academic Bulletins

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