East Asian studies programs teach people the cultures and customs of the region. Students learn about history, politics, and ways that people live. They study how people move, settle, and live in countries other than their homelands.
In East Asian studies programs, you learn about all aspects of East Asian culture and life. You study history, politics, and economics, and how they differ from country to country, region to region. You study historical conflicts, including colonialism of dominant countries over smaller, developing ones (Japan and Korea in the 1940s) and current issues such as the ongoing occupation of Tibet by China. In fact, some East Asian studies programs offer concentrations in Tibetan studies.
In this program, you read original literature and folklore as well as view and critique East Asian films. You also study different religions and economic systems that are prominent in East Asian countries, including Buddhism, Confucianism, communism, and capitalism. However, religion and economics don't have to dominate your studies. You can also study musical arts or poetry. In most programs, you also learn at least one Asian language, such as Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, or Korean. In addition, you also study how different Asian countries relate to countries in North America and Europe.
About 100 colleges and universities offer interdisciplinary bachelor's degrees in East Asian studies. Several two-year colleges offer the first two years of study. Students can often transfer these credits to a four-year school. Keep in mind that different programs may focus on different countries or religions, so be sure to check out specific school program descriptions carefully.
Many bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in East Asian studies draw on courses from departments of interdisciplinary studies, liberal studies, and humanities. In addition, most programs encourage you to double major in another field, such as business, social science, or journalism.
Master's degrees typically take five or six years of full-time study after high school. Doctoral degree programs typically take three to five years after the master's degree.
Majors in East Asian studies may lead to careers in the arts, business, media and journalism, research, teaching, or hospitality and tourism. Such careers include broadcasting, sales, musicology, advertising, public relations, arts criticism, and social commentary. The most common career paths are business, law, teaching, and journalism.
Students in this major may be able to choose concentrations such as:
• Customs and Culture
• Dance and Music
• Economics
• Folklore and Myth
• History
• Languages
• Literature
• Politics
• Religion