Asian Languages and Civilizations

Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chinese and Japanese, two certificate programs, and six language programs, the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations provides several opportunities to further a student’s education beyond the classroom. Students interested in Chinese or Japanese are encouraged to broaden their career options through a double major, combining either language with another field of interest. Likewise, students in programs outside the department can pursue one of our certificates as a way of broadening their career options. Recent graduates have found positions in such fields as government service, international business and secondary-school teaching; others have gone on to graduate study in Chinese or Japanese.

Languages offered by the department include Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese and Korean. Before registering for specific courses, students should consult with a departmental advisor concerning appropriate placement in language classes beyond the beginning level.

Course codes for these programs are ARAB, CHIN, FRSI, HIND, JPNS and KREN.

Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

Undergraduate Study in Asian Languages and Civilizations

Undergraduate students may choose to major or minor in either Chinese or Japanese. In either case they receive a thorough grounding in the modern language, an introduction to the classical language and literature and a broad familiarity with the literary and cultural history of the selected area.

Bachelor of Arts in Chinese

The undergraduate degree in Chinese emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

Chinese literary history, focusing on selected canonical or widely recognized works;
the historical and cultural contexts in which particular works were written;
critical approaches to the study of Chinese language and civilization; and
the challenges, deficiencies and possible gains inherent in the process of translating from one language to another.

In addition, students completing the degree in Chinese are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

read modern Chinese at a level at which critical literary analysis can be performed;
read classical Chinese, with the aid of appropriate reference works, at the level at which the text may begin to be appreciated for its literary value;
speak and comprehend Mandarin sufficient for all situations in daily life and for a basic level of academic conversation;
analyze and interpret literary texts in terms of style, structure, character, themes and use of allusion; and
communicate such interpretations competently in standard written English.

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below. CHIN 1010, 1020 and 2110 do not count toward the maximum of 45 credits in the major department.

The major program for the BA degree in Chinese requires successful completion of 30 credit hours, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at the upper–division level.

Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours:

CHIN 2120 Intermediate Chinese 2—5

CHIN 3110 Advanced Chinese 1—5

CHIN 3120 Advanced Chinese 2—5

CHIN 4210* Introduction to Classical Chinese—3

The remaining 12 credit hours may be chosen from the courses listed below; 3 of the remaining credit hours may be satisfied by courses focusing wholly or substantially on China offered in other departments, subject to approval by the Chinese Undergraduate Advisor, and in consultation with the Department Chair.

CHIN 1012 Introduction to Chinese Civilization (Core: Human Diversity)—4
CHIN 1051 Masterpieces of Chinese Literature in Translation (Core: Lit & Arts)—3
CHIN 2441 Film and the Dynamics of Chinese Culture (Core: Lit & Arts)—3
CHIN 3200 Advanced Writing Topics on Chinese & Japanese Literature and Civilization (Core: Upper Division Written Communication)—3
CHIN 3311 The Dao and the World in Medieval China—3
CHIN 3321 Culture and Literature of Ancient China—3
CHIN 3331 Culture and Literature of Late Imperial China—3
CHIN 3334 Chinese Narrative Tradition—3
CHIN 3341 Literature and Popular Culture in Modern China (Core:Lit & Arts)—3
CHIN 3342 Literary Culture in Contemporary China—3
CHIN 3351 Reality and Dream in Traditional Chinese Literature (Core:Lit & Arts)—3
CHIN 3361 Women and the Supernatural in Chinese Literature—3
CHIN 3371 Topics in Chinese Film—3, taught in English
CHIN 4110* Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese 1—3
CHIN 4120* Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese 2—3
CHIN 4220* Readings in Classical Chinese—3
CHIN 4300 Open Topics—3
CHIN 4750 Daoism—3
CHIN 4900 Independent Study—1—3
CHIN 4950 Honors Thesis—3

*Transfer credit for these courses, from Universities in this country or abroad, will be considered only in exceptional cases; normally, no credit toward the major will be given for these courses unless taken in residence.

Graduating in Four Years with a BA in Chinese

Consult the Four–Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of “adequate progress” as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four–year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in Chinese, students should meet the following requirements:

Declare the major in the first semester.
Students wishing to major in Chinese and who have no prior knowledge of the language should begin the required major courses no later than the sophomore year.
Students must consult with a major advisor to determine adequate progress toward completion of the major.

Minor Program in Chinese

A minimum of 18 credit hours must be taken in Chinese language and literature courses, including a total of 13 upper-division credit hours; these credits will include CHIN 2120, 3110, 3120 and at least one additional upper-division 3 credit CHIN course. Pass/fail work and CHIN 3200 will not apply to the minor. Students are allowed to apply no more than 9 credit hours, including 6 upper-division hours, of transfer work toward a minor. For more information, please see the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations Undergraduate Advisor.

Bachelor of Arts in Japanese

The undergraduate degree in Japanese emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

the outlines of the history of Japanese literature from the Nara period to the present;
the outlines of Japanese historical and cultural development; and
appropriate research strategies for Japanese language, literature and culture.

In addition, students completing the degree in Japanese are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

speak and comprehend Japanese sufficiently for daily life;
read, interpret and analyze modern written texts;
compose letters and simple compositions;
use cultural awareness and understanding to function appropriately in a range of social situations; and
communicate the results of research in English.

In addition, students target one or more of the following goals:

read and comprehend classical Japanese, with the aid of appropriate reference works;
translate a range of Japanese texts into English; and
understand and analyze the structure of the Japanese language and communication patterns in Japanese.

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below. JPNS 1010, 1020 and 2110 do not count towards the maximum of 45 credits in the major department.

The major program for the BA degree in Japanese requires successful completion of 30 credit hours, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at the upper–division level.

Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours:

JPNS 2120 Intermediate Japanese 2—5

JPNS 3110 Advanced Japanese 1—5

JPNS 3120 Advanced Japanese 2—5

The remaining 15 credit hours may be chosen from the courses listed below; six of the remaining credit hours may be satisfied by courses focusing wholly or substantially on Japan offered in other departments, subject to approval by the Japanese Undergraduate Advisor.

JPNS 1012 Introduction to Japanese Civilization (Core: Human Diversity)—4
JPNS 1051 Masterpieces of Japanese Literature in Translation (Core: Lit & Arts)—3
JPNS 2441 Film and Japanese Culture—3
JPNS 2811 Heroes and the Supernatural: Word and Image in Old Japan—3
JPNS 3200 Advanced Writing Topics on Chinese & Japanese Literature and Civilization (Core: Upper Division Written Communication)—3
JPNS 3331 Business Japanese—3

JPNS 3441 Language and Japanese Society—3
JPNS 3511 From Rebellion to Calamity: Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation—3
JPNS 3811 Love, Death and Desire: Classical Japanese Literature in Translation—3
JPNS 3821 Monsters, Monks and Mayhem: Medieval Japanese Literature in Translation—3
JPNS 3831 The Floating World of Play and Passion: Early Modern Japanese Literature in Translation—3
JPNS 3841 Tradition and Transgression: Modern Japanese Literature in Translation—3
JPNS 3851 Studies in Japanese Popular Culture—3
JPNS 3861 Imagining the Samurai in Japanese Literature and Culture—3

JPNS 3871 Horror and the Macabre in Japanese Literature, Film, Culture—3
JPNS 3881 Environment, Nature and Disaster in Japanese Literature and Culture—3
JPNS 3891 Travel/Travel Writing in Japanese Literature and Culture—3

JPNS 4030 Japanese Syntax—3
JPNS 4050 Japanese Sociolinguistics: Japanese Language and Society—3
JPNS 4070 Second Language Acquisition of Japanese—3
JPNS 4080 Kanji in Japanese Orthography—3
JPNS 4110* Advanced Readings in Modern Japanese 1—3
JPNS 4120* Advanced Readings in Modern Japanese 2—3
JPNS 4150 Japanese to English Translation: Theory and Practice—3
JPNS 4210 Contemporary Japanese 1: Current Issues—3
JPNS 4220 Contemporary Japanese 2: Current Issues—3
JPNS 4300 Open Topics: Readings in Japanese—3
JPNS 4310* Classical Japanese 1—3
JPNS 4320* Classical Japanese 2—3
JPNS 4400 Critical Theory and Japanese Literature and Culture—3
JPNS 4900 Independent Study—1—3
JPNS 4950 Honors Thesis—3

Graduating in Four Years with a BA in Japanese

Consult the Four–Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of “adequate progress” as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four–year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in Japanese, students should meet the following requirements:

Declare the major in the first semester.
Students wishing to major in Japanese and who have no prior knowledge of the language should begin the required major courses no later than the sophomore year.
Students must consult with a major advisor to determine adequate progress toward completion of the major.

Minor Program in Japanese

A minimum of 18 credit hours must be taken in Japanese language and literature courses, including a total of 13 upper-division credit hours; these credits will include JPNS 2120, 3110, 3120 and at least one additional upper-division 3 credit JPNS course. Pass/fail work will not apply to the minor. Students are allowed to apply no more than 9 credit hours, including 6 upper-division hours, of transfer work toward a minor. For more information, please see the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations Undergraduate Advisor.

Courses Taught in English

The department offers several courses in translation. These courses require no previous study of the language, history or culture of the area involved and are open to all interested students, whether majors in this department or not. They provide excellent introductions to Chinese or Japanese literary and cultural history.

CHIN 1051 is a core curriculum course in the area of literature and the arts that focuses on the great books of China, both ancient and modern. CHIN 2441 and CHIN 3371 concentrate on film and culture. CHIN 3311, 3321, 3331 and 3341 concentrate, respectively, on medieval, ancient, late imperial and modern Chinese culture, while CHIN 3342 focuses on literary culture in contemporary China. CHIN 3334 focuses on the major works of Chinese narrative tradition from the fourth to the nineteenth century. CHIN 3351 and 3361 are devoted to issues in fiction and on women and the supernatural. CHIN 4750 (cross–listed with RLST) focuses on the historical development of Daoism.

CHIN 1012 provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the history, literature, religion and art of China. JPNS 1012 provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the history, literature, religion and art of Japan. Both of these are core curriculum courses in the area of human diversity. CHIN/JPNS 3200 is a core curriculum course in the area of written communication that provides an introduction to the academic study of Chinese and Japanese literature and culture with a focus on writing skills in English through a survey of standard academic writing conventions.

JPNS 1051 is a core curriculum course in the area of literature and the arts that focuses on the great books of Japan, both ancient and modern. JPNS 2441 focuses on film and culture, JPNS 2811 explores illustrated fiction and narrative painting of twelfth–through–nineteenth century Japan, JPNS 3441 explores language and society, JPNS 3511 explores post-1945 Japanese literature with attention to their relationship to traditional arts and global trends, while JPNS 3851 studies popular culture. JPNS 3811, 3821, 3831 and 3841 focus, respectively, on classical, medieval, early modern and modern Japanese literature. JPNS 3861 explores the rich history of the imagination of the samurai in Japan across multiple genres from the earliest times to the present, while JPNS 3871 explores Japanese horror texts from both the pre-modern and modern eras in a variety of genres. JPNS 3881 explores the significance of the environment, nature and disaster in Japanese literature and culture through readings in a variety of genres. JPNS 3891 explores literary and cultural texts of the modern and contemporary eras, particularly those that treat various aspects of travel and travel literature/writing. JPNS 4400 examines Japanese literary and cultural texts as developed by Japanese and non–Japanese thinkers and academicians.

Study Abroad

The department strongly encourages all students to participate in Study Abroad to enrich their studies in our programs. The University of Colorado is affiliated with Study Abroad programs throughout the world, including Beijing, Nanjing and East China Normal Universities in China and National Chengchi University in Taiwan; there are also Study Abroad programs in India, Jordan, Morocco, and Korea. Additionally, the department has exchange programs with Kansai Gaidai, Sophia University and Akita International University in Japan. For further information, contact the Office of International Education.

Concurrent Bachelor's/Master's Program

BA/MA in Asian Languages and Civilizations

The concurrent BA/MA degree program in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers a challenging and focused academic experience for exceptional students who demonstrate the ability to express their ideas clearly, both orally and in written form, using standard English. Highly motivated students who are accepted into the program begin graduate work no later than the senior year and earn both the BA and MA in five years. Students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA for all courses taken at CU-Boulder and should have completed all MAPS and core requirements by the end of the sophomore year.

Application is open only to CU-Boulder students. Students must complete a written application, which will include a statement of purpose, a writing sample and three letters of recommendation, at least one from a full-time member of the Chinese or Japanese faculty, by September 1 of their junior year (or, in exceptional circumstances, during a student's senior year).

Applications will be reviewed by the graduate faculty of Chinese or Japanese. For specific requirements and the application form, please contact the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations graduate advisor.

BA/MSIB Program (Bachelor of Arts in Chinese or Japanese/Master of International Business)

The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, in conjunction with the Business School at the University of Colorado Denver, offers a degree track in either Japanese or Chinese leading to accelerated admission to the UC Denver MSIB program. Students complete the standard requirements for the Japanese or Chinese major and the business minor in Boulder Leeds School of Business. The Leeds courses are counted toward prerequisites by the UC Denver Business School, allowing ALC graduates to enter the MSIB courses directly.

Graduate Degree Program(s)

Graduate Study in Asian Languages and Civilizations

Applicants to the graduate program in Asian Languages and Civilizations (Chinese or Japanese emphasis) should have successfully completed the equivalent of the undergraduate major in Chinese or Japanese language and literature with advanced competence in modern Chinese or Japanese, an introduction to classical Chinese or Japanese, an understanding of the interrelationship of Chinese or Japanese language and society and a familiarity with the history, major writers and works of Chinese or Japanese literature.

Foreign applicants must submit results from a TOEFL exam, no older than 2 years, with a minimum acceptable score of 560 (paper-based test) or 220 (computer-based test) or 83 (internet-based test). All applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.00 but at or above 2.50 may be admitted provisionally. The Chinese and Japanese graduate programs at CU have been selected for inclusion in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). Through the WRGP, graduate students who are residents of the 15 participating states may enroll in certain distinctive programs at public institutions on an in-state resident tuition basis. Please visit the department website (alc.colorado.edu) or contact the appropriate graduate advisor for additional information.

Master’s Program

The MA in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers specializations in Chinese or Japanese. All entering students in the Chinese program must take CHIN 5010 at the earliest opportunity. Students employed as teaching assistants also must take either CHIN/JPNS 5980 on methods of teaching Asian languages. Selection of courses beyond these are made in consultation with the graduate advisor. Prospective graduates will be required to present either 24 hours of approved coursework plus a Master’s thesis (Plan I), or 30 hours of approved coursework without a thesis (Plan II). The 24 hours must be completed at the 5000 level or above. Up to six credits from other departments may be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level at the discretion of the department.

PhD Program

Prerequsites. The PhD in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers specializations in Chinese or Japanese with concentrations in literary and/or cultural studies of either the premodern or modern periods. Academic preparation is expected in both classical and modern language. The department will evaluate all applications for admission based on previous academic achievements and on the quality of the writing sample.

All international students whose native language is not English must score at least 620 (paper-based test) or 260 (computer-based test) or 105 (internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be considered for admission. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are not mandatory for admission. However, applicants wishing to be considered for competitive university fellowships will be strongly encouraged to take the GRE general test and submit the scores.

Language Requirement. In addition to the requirements of the University of Colorado Graduate School for regular degree students, the department requires all entering students to have superior proficiency in the target language and broad general knowledge of the literary and cultural traditions of their region of concentration.

General Requirements. The PhD in Asian Languages and Civilizations will require a minimum of 45 credit hours in graduate courses numbered 5000 or above in Chinese or Japanese; some graduate or advanced undergraduate course work from related fields may also be included, in accordance with Graduate School rules. Some course work completed for the MA degree at CU or other similarly rigorous institutions may count toward the 45 credit hours required. PhD students may transfer to the department up to 21 hours of acceptable graduate-level credit. All PhD students must take at least 24 credit hours of graduate course work at the University of Colorado Boulder in addition to 30 credit hours of dissertation work beyond the course work required.

Dual Degree Programs

MA in Asian Languages and Civilizations with MA in either History or Religious Studies

The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations also participates in a dual master’s program with the Departments of History and Religious Studies. Students interested in exploring this option should contact the department for specific requirements.

Certificate Program(s)

Certificate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies

The region commonly referred to as the Middle East includes over 20 Arabic speaking countries, as well as Iran, Turkey, and Israel and spans Southwest Asia and North Africa. A culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse region, the Middle East today is one of the most geopolitically critical regions in the world. It is the birthplace of the three major monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam; the home of medieval Islamic civilizations;and home to rich literary, architectural and religious traditions. Islam, a monotheistic faith that began in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, is today practiced by over one billion people and is diversely expressed through a vast geographic, linguistic and cultural terrain, from West Africa to East Asia. The Certificate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies provides students the opportunity to formally explore the cultural, political and religious diversity of the Middle East and the Islamic worlds.

Students currently pursuing the requirements of the MEIS Certificate or interested in doing so should complete the Statement of Intent form. Students who have completed the requirements for the MEIS certificate and are graduating in December or May must complete the Program of Study form and the Certificate Completion form and submit them to the office of the certificate director, Haytham Bahoora, 215 Humanities, two months prior to graduation.

Requirements

The certificate requires a total of 19 credit hours to include both language and content courses.

One year of either Arabic or Farsi language courses beginning at the intermediate level (2000 level) and earning a grade of C or better. Advanced Arabic language courses can also fulfill content course requirements.
Students must complete nine additional credit hours (three upper-division courses), at least one of which must be a course designated ARAB. These nine credit hours may be selected from the list of approved content courses and are to be completed with a grade of C- or better.
As a certificate program with a focus on Islamic studies, at least one of the three content courses must have a specific focus on Islam and the Islamic world.
Students should also consult with the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Certificate advisor annually and must fulfill the requirements for an undergraduate degree at CU-Boulder.

For a list of approved courses, see the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations website alc.colorado.edu.

Certificate in South Asian Languages and Civilizations

South Asia—comprising India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet—has emerged as a key center of economic, political and cultural power in the 21st century. South Asia in ancient times drove the economy of Central and Southeast Asia, exported a cosmopolitan Sanskrit literary culture and was the spiritual home of Hinduism and Buddhism. South Asia in medieval times was a major hub of global trade and the pride of a wide-ranging Persianate civilization. Its Mughal Empire was far more populous and wealthy than the Ottomans and Safavids combined. South Asia today is home to over 100 officially recognized languages and most of the world’s major religious traditions. With some 500 million speakers, Hindi-Urdu is one of the most popular languages in the world, alongside Mandarin, English and Spanish. Hindi-Urdu boasts thriving contemporary literary and media cultures, and—with Bollywood—the world’s largest and most influential film industry.

In the 21st century, international companies and government agencies are searching for employees with language skills in Hindi-Urdu and a broad understanding of South Asia. The Certificate in South Asian Languages and Civilizations is designed to help prepare CU students for these emerging careers.