<p>I am very interested in finding the really good East Asian programs. I understand that many of the well respected programs are at the University of California schools, but as an undergraduate how often do you have a professor teaching and not a TA? I would appreciate appreciate thoughts on schools both big research universities and libral arts colleges.</p>
<p>You seem to be mixing 3 different questions: 1. What are some good schools for East Asian Studies? 2. If I go to a UC, will my classes be taught by a TA instead of a professor? 3. Should I go to an LAC or a research university (implied question)?</p>
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<li>A place to start is the large universities with Federally-funded East Asian centers: Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Berkeley, Yale, U Washington, UCLA, Ohio State, etc. I forget the complete list but it’s contained in some previous threads if you search for it. If you’re interested in Chinese studies, check out the Language Flagship programs: [The</a> Language Flagship - Chinese](<a href=“http://www.thelanguageflagship.org/chinese]The”>http://www.thelanguageflagship.org/chinese)
Many research universities and LACs offer Interdisciplinary Asian or East Asian studies majors. One problem with such majors is that you may not develop in-depth knowledge in a single discipline, even though your courses will be linked by a common focus on Asia. Another problem is that some programs only require 2 years of an Asian language, which is insufficient for East Asian languages. It might be better to major in an Asian Language + another relevant disciplin (e.g., economics), or to major in a relevant discipline with a minor in an Asian language.
There are many LACs that offer Chinese and/or Japanese, but often they might only have 1 or 2 faculty in the area and only offer 2 years of the language. This can be mitigated somewhat by studying abroad for a year. However, to find LACs that offer a full 4 or 5 years of an East Asian language, you usually have to look at some of the more selective LACs. Here are some things to consider: If a major is offered in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, are at least 3, and preferably 4 years of language coursework offered? Are there courses in Chinese/Japanese literature, linguistics, film/popular culture, and classical Chinese/Japanese? Are there any intensive basic and intermediate language courses? How many students major in the Asian Studies or an Asian language? How many professors are there? Are there good study abroad options? Do the school’s students attend some of the better study abroad programs, e.g. Hamilton College’s program for Chinese. Are there a sufficient number of sections in basic and intermediate language courses so you don’t get shut out of a course? Are there supplemental learning opportunities, e.g., language houses or dorms, language table, clubs, media, etc. Are there a sufficient number of courses dealing with East Asian in various departments (e.g., history, economics, politics, religion, art history)? How easy is it to double major or take a block of courses in a professional field (e.g., communication, international business, etc.)Some of these things are more likely to be found at a larger school, but that in itself doesn’t necessarily mean the larger school is better.
If you search on CC, you’ll find numerous threads that identify East Asian programs at both large and small schools.</li>
<li>Yes, you probably will have classes taught by a TA, especially in large introductory classes. Most large lecture classes are taught by a professor with small discussion section meetings led by a TA (supposedly under the overall direction and supervision of the prof). Some TAs are very good, others are not, just as some professors are good, others are not. Some subject matters lend themselves more to a lecture format than others. In basic Asian language courses, you very well might be taught by an instructor, not a professor. In many cases, these are native speakers who often have a BA or MA degree from a university in their home countries. Often, they specialize in language pedagogy. In most cases, these will be relatively small classes supplemented by work in a language lab.</li>
<li>Go where it is the best fit for you, given that you can gain admission to, and afford, a particular school. You can search for the numerous extensive threads on CC that address the issue of LAC vs. research university. There are advantages and disadvantages to each for undergrad education.</li>
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<p>Thank you. This is all good information. Do you have any thoughts about the Chinese program at Trinity University? I understand that it has an excellent reputation and is growing quickly.</p>
<p>^^^ No specific info about Trinity’s program…as TU is an intermediate size school, it seems to have more faculty in the area than many LACs…good reputation.
If you’re interested in smaller schools, you might also look at Furman, which received some major funding from a donor to build their Asian studies program.</p>
<p>My D is interested in East Asia Studies with a focus on the role of arts in influencing past, present and future socio-economic aspects in that region. She’s a keen/critical sense of arts but doesn’t think that she has the talents to practice arts and is totally interested in the culture of East Asia. Plans to take AP Chinese in junior year and then learn Japanese. Any insights on how to go about her college years to fulfill this interest?</p>