Academic Program

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Faculty

Professors Crespi, Hirata
Associate Professors Mehl (Chair), J. Wang
Assistant Professors Albertson, M. Wang
Visiting Assistant Professor X. Wang

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers courses in the languages and cultures of China and Japan. Students who continue through the four-year sequences of rigorous classroom language training, often combined with study abroad experiences, acquire the proficiency they need to pursue graduate study or a variety of careers related to East Asia. Courses taught in English include Chinese literature and film, Japanese linguistics, the Japanese Village, Chinese medicine, Japanese tea culture, and Japanese popular culture. Qualified students may arrange independent study beyond the courses offered.

Related Majors

The Asian Studies program offers related interdisciplinary majors that focus on China or Japan.

Awards

The Award for Excellence in Chinese Language — awarded by the department to the student with the highest achievement in the Chinese language.

The Award for Excellence in Japanese Language — awarded by the department to the student with the highest achievement in the Japanese language.

The Mori Family Awards for Excellence in Japanese Language — awarded annually to outstanding students from each of the four levels in Japanese language and to the winners of the annual Japanese Speech Contest.

Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

Normally no more than one credit for a language course and one credit for a content course can be transferred toward either major from intensive study at another institution in the United States or abroad. Advanced placement can be arranged after consultation with the instructors in charge.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors in a major can find the additional requirements on the relevant major page. Use the links below in the Majors and Minor section to navigate.

Study Groups

China

The China Study Group is normally offered biennially in the fall semester in Shanghai in the People's Republic of China. Students take one course in language, two area studies courses from the Colgate director, and one CET elective (this course will not count towards the Chinese major). Prerequisites for the China Study Group normally include (1) at least one year's coursework at Colgate in modern standard Chinese and (2) CORE China or one China-related Literature and Culture elective. For more information, see .

Japan

This program is based in Kyoto, Japan. This program provides lodging with Japanese families, intensive language training, and instruction in Japanese literature, art, religion, and linguistics. Prerequisites for the Japan Study Group include (1) at least one year's coursework in Japanese language and (2) CORE Japan or one Japan-related Literature and Culture elective. For more information, see .

Facilities

The Japanese Studies Center, funded by the Japan World Exposition (1976) and located in Lawrence Hall, consists of a seminar room, a multipurpose Japanese-style tatami room, and a kitchen. Activities sponsored by the Japan Club and the Anime Society are held at the center.

The Robert Ho Center for Chinese Studies, established in 1993 in Lawrence Hall, offers a classroom and a reading room with Asian architectural features complemented by artwork, and a small collection of books on China. An attached kitchen enhances extracurricular activities such as brush writing and celebrations of Chinese festivals.

The department also offers an East Asian Lounge with both Chinese and Japanese alcoves for quiet study and small gatherings.

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses