Majors & Minors

Asian Studies Major | Asian Studies Minor | Chinese Language and Culture Major | Chinese Language and Culture Minor | Japanese Language and Culture Major | Japanese Language and Culture Minor

General Distribution Requirement

ASIA 112, ASIA 123, ASIA 124, ASIA 127, ASIA 140, ASIA 236, ASIA 241, ASIA 254, ASIA 258, ASIA 260, ASIA 274, ASIA 275, ASIA 276, ASIA 277, ASIA 283, ASIA 315 and ASIA 378 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities. ASIA 272, ASIA 273, ASIA 205, and ASIA 350 count toward the fine arts distribution requirement, and ASIA 150, ASIA 220, ASIA 256, ASIA 282, ASIA 320, and ASIA 336 count toward the general distribution requirement in social science.

Courses in the Chinese language program (CHIN) and the Japanese language program (JAPA) count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities except for elementary and intermediate language courses. JAPA 150, JAPA 282, and JAPA 336 count toward the general distribution requirement in social science.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and U.S identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Policy on Chinese and Japanese Language Grades

In order to be accepted into the next higher Chinese or Japanese language course in a sequence, a student must have received a grade of C- or higher in the previous course.

Language Houses

Each semester, students may apply to live in either the Japan House or the Chinese House. Residents of the language houses have the opportunity to improve their language skills in everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. The residents also help the Asian Languages and Cultures department create cultural programming such as movie nights and game nights. Residents host events for traditional festivals such as the moon festival, lunar new year, Setsubun, and Children's Day.

Honors Program

The Asian Languages and Cultures department participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials (JAPA), independent projects (ASIA, CHIN, JAPA), internships (ASIA, CHIN, JAPA) and preceptorships (ASIA, CHIN, JAPA). For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Asian Studies Major

Asian Studies Major Requirements

A major in Asian Studies consists of 10 to 14 courses, distributed as follows:

1. Foundation/Introductory Course is required: Students must take ASIA 111 - Introduction to Asian Studies or a foundational course approved in consultation with the Director of Asian Studies.
   
2. 8 courses on Asia, with the following constraints:
   a. A maximum of 4 courses in Asian language study,
   b. A maximum of 6 courses that deal with a single Asian country,
   c. Courses that deal with the Asian diaspora may be counted at the discretion of the Director of Asian Studies.
   d. Courses from study away programs in Asia or other approved alternatives may count with approval of the Director of Asian Studies.
   
3. 4 courses in a single discipline relevant to Asian Studies, with the following constraints:
   a. One must be a methods course.
   b. Courses in interdisciplinary departments (such as Environmental Studies or International Studies) may not count.
   c. Courses need not have an Asian focus, but if they do they may count toward 8 courses on Asia.
   d. Courses that count toward the 8 courses on Asia may also count toward this requirement.
   e. Courses from study away programs in Asia or other approved alternatives may count with the approval of the chair of the particular disciplinary department.
   
4. The capstone requirement for the Asian Studies major may be fulfilled by a four-credit course or independent study project approved by the Director of Asian Studies. Options may include a capstone course or a project in another disciplinary major (if focused on Asia), an independent project with a suitable member of the Asian Studies steering committee, or a senior seminar course in the Asian Studies department, when offered.
   
5. Students who are majoring in Chinese or Japanese may not count their senior seminar in those fields toward the capstone requirement, and not count more than four courses in that major toward the major in Asian Studies.
   
   NOTE: Students may apply up to 4 credits from MUSI 78 or MUSI 79 to either "courses in Asia" or "courses in a single discipline" if the student has chosen Music as their discipline.

Study abroad in Asia or an approved alternative is required for all majors. Study of an Asian language is strongly encouraged.

Asian Studies Minor

Asian Studies Minor Requirements

A minor in Asian Studies consists of 5 courses, with the following constraints:

1. Foundation/Introductory Course is required: Students must take ASIA 111 - Introduction to Asian Studies or a foundational course approved in consultation with the Director of Asian Studies.
2. At least two of the four remaining courses must be taken at Macalester.
3. No more than three of the four courses can be about one country.

Chinese Language and Culture Major

Chinese Language and Culture Major Requirements

In consultation with an advisor from within the department, students develop a major plan with a focus on Chinese language and culture. All majors must complete no fewer than 8 courses (32 credits), and meet the following requirements:

1. Language Proficiency

Students must attain proficiency in Chinese equivalent to the level upon completion of CHIN 407. The following courses count toward the language proficiency portion of the major: CHIN 203, CHIN 204, CHIN 305, CHIN 306, CHIN 407, and CHIN 408. The following courses do not count toward the major: CHIN 101 and CHIN 102. There is no minimum number of language courses a student must take in order to satisfy the requirements of the major. Students who test out of CHIN 407 may complete the major by taking China-related culture courses.

2. China-Focused Culture Courses

Chinese majors must take at least four China-focused culture courses. Examples include courses on Chinese literature, film, history, art history, music history, geography, religion, linguistics.

• At least two courses must focus on Chinese literature or film. Of these courses, at least one must be taken at Macalester and have the prefix of CHIN (this does not include the capstone).
• At least one culture course must provide historical depth. Courses that satisfy this requirement will be determined by the department chair.

3. Study Away

All majors must study away for one semester or the equivalent at an approved institution in mainland China or Taiwan. Students who wish to count toward the major courses taken abroad must obtain the approval of the department chair. Students who are unable to study away may apply to substitute an alternative immersive experience. Applications will be reviewed by the department chair.

4. Capstone Course or Honors Thesis

The capstone must be done at Macalester.

Chinese Language and Culture Minor

Chinese Language and Culture Minor Requirements

The minor consists of five courses (20 credits).

1. Language Proficiency
   Minors must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the level upon completion of CHIN 306. No more than three language courses may be counted toward the minor. These courses include: CHIN 305, CHIN 306, CHIN 407, and CHIN 408. The following courses do not count toward the minor: CHIN 101, CHIN 102, CHIN 203 and CHIN 204. There is no minimum number of language classes a student must take in order to satisfy the requirements of the minor. Students who test out of CHIN 306 may, if they choose, complete the minor by taking five content courses.
2. Content Courses
   Minors must take at least two China-related content courses. Examples include courses on Chinese literature, film, history, art history, music history, geography, religion, linguistics, etc. At least one of these courses must be taken at Macalester and have the prefix of CHIN.

Japanese Language and Culture Major

Japanese Language and Culture Major Requirements

In consultation with an advisor from within the department, students develop a major plan with a focus on Japanese language and culture. All majors must complete no fewer than 8 courses (32 credits), and meet the following requirements:

1. Language Proficiency

Students must attain proficiency in Japanese equivalent to the level upon completion of JAPA 407. The following courses count toward the language proficiency portion of the major: JAPA 203, JAPA 204, JAPA 305, JAPA 306, JAPA 407, and JAPA 408. The following courses do not count toward the major: JAPA 101 and JAPA 102. There is no minimum number of language courses a student must take in order to satisfy the requirements of the major. Students who test out of JAPA 407 may complete the major by taking Japan-related culture courses.

2. Japan-Focused Culture Courses

Japanese majors must take at least four Japan-focused culture courses. Examples include courses on Japanese literature, film, history, art history, music history, geography, religion, linguistics.

• At least two courses must focus on Japanese literature, linguistics or film. Of these courses, at least one must be taken at Macalester and have the prefix of JAPA (this does not include the capstone).
• At least one culture course must provide historical depth. Courses that satisfy this requirement will be determined by the department chair.

3. Study Away

All majors must study away for one semester or the equivalent at an approved institution in Japan. Students who wish to count toward the major courses taken abroad must obtain the approval of the department chair. Students who are unable to study away may apply to substitute an alternative immersive experience. Applications will be reviewed by the department chair.

4. Capstone Course or Honors Thesis

The capstone must be done at Macalester.

Japanese Language and Culture Minor

Japanese Language and Culture Minor Requirements

The minor consists of five courses (20 credits).

1. Language Proficiency
   Minors must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the level upon completion of JAPA 306. No more than three language courses may be counted toward the minor. These courses include: JAPA 305, JAPA 306, JAPA 407 and JAPA 408. The following courses do not count toward the minor: JAPA 101, JAPA 102, JAPA 203, and JAPA 204. There is no minimum number of language classes a student must take in order to satisfy the requirements of the minor. Students who test out of JAPA 306 may, if they choose, complete the minor by taking five culture courses.
   
2. Japan-Focused Culture Courses
   Minors must take at least two Japan-related culture courses. Examples include courses on Japanese literature, film, history, art history, music history, geography, religion, and linguistics. At least one of these courses must be taken at Macalester and have the prefix of JAPA.