Course variations

Course summary

This program intends to prepare students to interact with the people and cultures of Asia. Students in the program study an Asian language - Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, and Korean - as well as methods of literary and cultural analysis. The language study provides advanced spoken and written skills that allow students direct access to the people and cultures of Asia, where over half the world’s population lives. The analytical courses give a theoretically sophisticated understanding of the rich literary and cultural texts, from the accepted literary canon to popular culture and film. The major has six sub plans: Chinese literature, culture, and media, Japanese literature, culture, and media, South Asian literature, culture, and media, visual and aural cultures in Asia, social formations in Asia, and written cultures in Asia each of which introduces a broad range of language, literary, and cultural texts. Along with sub plan courses, students may take related electives outside the department and must take at least one course related to another area of Asia. The deeper, concentrated study in upper level courses, leads to the senior project. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and can contribute credit to the major.

Program modules

The program modules are as follows: ALL 1335W -Chinese Ways of Living: Philosophical and Literary Approaches, WI (3 cr), ALL 3232W – Short Poetry in China and Japan, WI (3 cr), ALL 3265W -The Fantastic in East Asia: Ghosts, Foxes, and the Alien, WI (3 cr), ALL 3333 -Gender and Sexuality in Traditional Chinese Literature (3 cr), ALL 3363 -Imagined Worlds in Ming Qing China (3 cr), ALL 3373 -Religion and Society in Imperial China (3 cr), ALL 3900 -Topics in Asian Literature (3 cr), ALL 3920 -Topics in Asian Culture (3 cr), ALL 5265 -Traditional Poetics and Aesthetics in East Asia (3 cr), ALL 5343 -Lovers, Clowns, and Acrobats: An Introduction to Chinese Drama (3 cr), ALL 5900 -Topics in Asian Literature (3 cr), ALL 5920 -Topics in Asian Culture (3 cr), Modern: Take 1 or more course(s) from the following: ALL 3300 -Topics in Chinese Literature (1–3 cr), ALL 3337 -Chinese Literature and Popular Culture Today, LIT (3 cr), ALL 3356W -Chinese Film, AH, WI (3 cr), ALL 3361W -Maps, Pictures, and Writing in the Representation of Taiwan, AH, GP, WI (3 cr), ALL 3371 -History of Chinese Cities and Urban Life (3 cr), ALL 3900 -Topics in Asian Literature (3 cr), ALL 3920 -Topics in Asian Culture (3 cr), ALL 5357 -Chinese Cinematic Realisms (3 cr), ALL 5366 -The Nation in Modern Chinese Film and Literature (3 cr), ALL 5900 -Topics in Asian Literature (3 cr), ALL 5920 -Topics in Asian Culture (3 cr).

Entry requirement for international students

Students to be considered for admission must have completed the coursework through high school graduation. They are expected to complete, at a minimum, the University's core subject requirements such as four years of English with an emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation; three years of mathematics including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra; three years of science including one year each of biological and physical science, and including a laboratory experience; three years of social studies including one year each of U.S. history and geography; two years of a single second language; and one year of visual and/or performing arts including instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form. Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application and may factor into individual decisions. Outstanding talent, achievement, or aptitude in a particular area; an exceptionally rigorous academic curriculum; strong commitment to community service and leadership; military service; contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, racial, or geographic diversity of the student body; evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement; first-generation college student; significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity; family employment or attendance at the University of Minnesota and extenuating circumstances. Also students who are non-native speakers of English need to demonstrate their English language proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 550 in paper based 79 for internet based, 6.5 for IELTS, and 80 for MELAB. If students have taken the ACT exam and scored 17 or lower on the English OR reading section (or SAT critical reading [verbal] score of 420 or lower) need to provide English language scores.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

University Of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus

Department name

College of Liberal Arts, Department of Asian Languages and Literatures