The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers undergraduate programs in Chinese and Japanese languages and literatures.
Each program enables students to achieve proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the language and to acquire a fundamental knowledge of the literature of the country.
Preparation. Students considering a major in Chinese or Japanese should decide their major at the earliest possible stage so that they can satisfy the requirements in the standard four years of undergraduate study. Background in languages, literature, or history at the high school or community college level constitutes good preparation for the student majoring in Chinese or Japanese.
Careers. A major in Chinese or Japanese prepares a student for graduate study in the humanities, social sciences, and professional schools and also for careers in business, teaching, law, journalism, and government agencies. Career options for people with knowledge of Chinese or Japanese are steadily increasing.
B.A. Degree in Chinese - Culture-Intensive Option.
47 graded credits are required in courses beyond the second-year level, including: 1) three years of Chinese language; 2) four courses from the 150, 151, 152 series or the 305, 306, 307, 308 series (two of these must be at the upper division level); 3) four upper-division courses in Chinese language, culture, literature, history, art, economics, or other approved areas taken from EALL or other departments (two of these must be EALL courses).
B.A. Degree in Chinese - Language-Intensive Option.
47 graded credits are required in courses beyond the second-year level, including Third-Year Chinese (CHN 301, 302, 303); History of Chinese Literature (CHN 305, 306, 307); Literary Chinese (CHN 436, 437); and three courses chosen from Fourth-Year Chinese (CHN 411, 412, 413), Advanced Chinese (CHN 431, 432, 433), Literary Chinese Texts (CHN 438).
B.A. Degree in Japanese - Culture-Intensive Option
47 graded credits are required in courses beyond the second-year level, including third-year Japanese (JPN 301,302,303), 8 credits of upper-division Japanese language courses beyond the third-year level(which may include JPN 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439), Introduction to Japanese Literature (two courses from JPN 305,306, or 307) and 16 adviser-approved credits of upper-division courses in Japanese literature or culture (which may include a maximum of 4 credits in courses taught outside of East Asian Languages and Literatures).
B.A. Degree in Japanese - Language-Intensive Option
47 graded credits are required in courses beyond the second-year level, including third-year Japanese (JPN301, 302, 303), Introduction to Japanese Literature (two courses from JPN 305, 306, 307), Fourth-Year Spoken Japanese (JPN411 & JPN412), Fourth Year Reading/Wringing Japanese (JPN414 & JPN415) plus 4 additional credits in Spoken Japanese (JPN413) or Reading/Writing Japanese (JPN416)
Any course for which a grade lower than C- is received does not count toward the major.
Prospective majors who place above the 301 language level must draft an individualized program in conjunction with an EALL adviser.
Graduation with departmental honors is approved for students who
1.Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better in all UO work
2.Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better in major course work
3.Complete, under the supervision of a faculty member, a senior thesis to be judged by the thesis director and one other faculty member in the department
Students must enroll for at least 6 pass/no pass (P/N) credits in Thesis (CHN or JPN 403) in addition to meeting the standard major requirements. Transfer work and P/N credits are not included in determining the GPA.
Chinese. The minor in Chinese requires 15 credits of modern Chinese language above the 200 level and two courses from History of Chinese Literature (CHN 305, 306, 307).
Japanese. The minor in Japanese requires 15 credits of modern Japanese language above the 200 level and two courses in Introduction to Japanese Literature (JPN 305, 306 or 307).
Upper-division language courses must be taken at the University of Oregon or through an Oregon State System of Higher Education program in Japan. Lower-division courses must be passed with grades of P or C- or better; upper-division courses must be passed with grades of C- or better.
The University of Oregon has one overseas study program in China and five in Tokyo, Japan. Students in University of Oregon overseas study programs enroll in courses with subject codes that are unique to individual programs. Special course numbers are reserved for overseas study. See Office of International Programs.
Students interested in licensure as an Oregon secondary teacher with a Japanese endorsement may obtain information from the College of Education.
Career Highlights and Tips for EALL Majors