<p>Is it possible to create your own program if it's not offered? e.g. I would prefer to major in Chinese Studies not East Asian Studies, so if I replaced the East Asia courses with a bunch of China courses would Columbia recognize it as a major? Is there any system for that?</p>
<p>I mean, an East Asian Studies major would essentially be that, but just for fun, here's what the website says:</p>
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A student who wishes to arrange an independent major or concentration must receive written permission from the Committee on Instruction. Interested students should meet with the Coordinator for Academic Affairs as early as possible in the academic year to discuss the procedures for submitting a formal proposal to the Committee. Proposals must be submitted in the sophomore year no later than March 31.
[/quote]
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<p>No in East Asian Studies I have to take courses on at least one other East Asian country. Also within my disciplinary speciality I would have to take three courses, and there is only one on China in the speciality I am looking at.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quote though about independent majors, that is really good to know. Do you think I can take slightly fewer courses than the East Asian Studies major if I create a Chinese studies one, thus freeing up room for electives in other subjects?</p>
<p>I first of all really doubt they'd let you do China Studies. It would probably be beneficial to you to take history classes about say Japan or Korea because of the role China has played in their histories as well. A class on WWII era diplomacy would work. Ditto with a class about globalization. You cannot simply understand China, you'd need to understand the region.</p>
<p>When you say 'other electives' do you mean economics/Chinese language or do you mean art? Because no, your Chinese Studies program would have to be just as strenuous visa vis requirements as the Asian Studies program.</p>
<p>Hmm good point. I'll see what the advisors etc say when I get to Columbia.</p>
<p>I meant electives in subjects other than economics/Chinese studies. For instance I'd quite like to take a few philosophy courses and maybe some French. Why would the Chinese Studies have to be worth the same number of points, if different majors often have different levels of requirement?</p>
<p>Most majors have similar requirements in pure numbers of classes/credits.</p>
<p>You would be able to take some electives in any major, but an independent program is usually required to be more strenuous than a pre-approved major.</p>