Undergraduate Program

In the East Asian Studies (EAS) major, students focus on a country or an area within East Asia and concentrate their work in the humanities or the social sciences. The major offers a liberal education that serves as excellent preparation for graduate study or for business and professional careers in which an understanding of East Asia is essential.

EAS is relatively small: usually 8-12 seniors, and as many as 15 juniors, many of whom are double majors. Upon entering the major, students are expected to draw up an intellectually coherent sequence of courses in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in EAS. Students continue to consult with the DUS each term throughout their course of study. Students also, as soon as possible, identify and consult with a faculty adviser in their area of specialization.

As EAS is interdisciplinary, students typically select classes from a wide variety of disciplines. Council faculty offer classes in the departments of Anthropology, East Asian Languages & Literatures, History, History of Art, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology.  EAS draws on the resources of other departments and programs in the University, and students are encouraged to examine the offerings of other departments, as well as residential college seminars, for additional relevant courses in both the humanities and the social sciences. The proposed course of study must be approved by the DUS.

For AY 2023-2024, the East Asian Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies is:

Valerie Hansen

Stanley Woodward Professor of History

Room 238, Humanities Quadrangle,
320 York Street

Office Hours: Mondays, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM or
by appointment

The East Asian Studies Registrar is:

Nicholas Disantis

Room 320, Henry R. Luce Hall,
34 Hillhouse Avenue

Telephone: 203-432-3427

Fax: 203-432-3430