East Asian Languages and Literatures
East Asian Languages and Literatures offers majors in Chinese and Japanese, two of the world's great literary traditions. Both programs are liberal arts majors that give students a thorough knowledge of Chinese or Japanese literature and a high level of competence in the respective language. Many students pursuing other majors enroll in the department's language courses, which include Chinese, Japanese, and Korean from elementary to advanced levels. These are relatively difficult languages, so students interested in learning them should start as early as possible, particularly if they intend to major in Chinese or Japanese. The language courses are taught in a semi-intensive format, requiring substantial daily preparation and meeting three to five times per week. Special courses are offered for students with a background in Chinese. Courses on Chinese and Japanese literature in translation and courses on Japanese film are open to all undergraduates. Courses in translation continue at the advanced level, and include chns 200a,Man and Nature in Chinese Literature; chns 201a,Women and Literature in Traditional China; japn 200a, The Japanese Classics; and japn 251b, Japanese Literature after 1970. Students considering a major in Chinese or Japanese should take one or more courses on literature in translation early in their academic careers. |
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Students who wish to major in Chinese or Japanese should consult the DUS by the beginning of the sophomore year. Students who do not complete the language prerequisite for the major (intermediate Chinese or Japanese or the equivalent) by the end of the sophomore year will have difficulty completing the major unless they study abroad.
The department strongly encourages students to study abroad for at least one term. Majors sometimes apply credits from approved summer or term abroad programs in China and Japan. Students interested in studying an East Asian language abroad, regardless of their major, may qualify for financial support through the Richard U. Light Fellowship program. For eligibility requirements and further information, prospective applicants should visit the Light Fellowship Web site.
Placement
Freshmen who come to Yale with some knowledge of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean should take a placement test, held the day before classes begin in the fall, as noted in the Calendar for the Opening Days. Before the day of the examination, students taking the Chinese or Japanese placement test must also complete an online component through the East Asian Languages and Literatures department Web site. Freshmen who place into advanced Chinese or Japanese courses may earn acceleration credits.
