UMass Boston

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East Asian Languages Minor

Hone Your Proficiency in East Asian Languages.

If you want to expand your proficiency in Mandarin-Chinese or Japanese, consider pursuing UMass Boston’s East Asian Languages Minor.

This program dives into the history, culture, and traditions of East Asian Languages. It’s a great way to combine language skills with your other interests.

As part of this program, you’ll complete three courses in the same East Asian Language through the intermediate level. You can choose Chinese or Japanese courses. (If you’d like to substitute Korean or Vietnamese for this requirement, you must have department approval.)

After completion, you can use these skills in many job roles, including translator or interpreter, social worker, educator, and more.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Complete an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

East Asian Language Courses (9 to 10 Credits)

Complete three courses in the same East Asian Language through the intermediate level. Students may choose from Chinese or Japanese courses. Students who want to substitute Korean or Vietnamese for this requirement must have department approval.

Electives (12 to 14 Credits)

Complete four electives from the list below. At least two must be 300-level or higher, one of which must be outside the language of focus.

  • Any CHINSE courses
  • Any JAPAN courses
     
  • ASIAN 104L - Introduction to East Asian Art 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 115L - Survey of South Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 155L - Great Books of East Asia: Classics of Love and War 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 160L - East Asian Civilizations to 1850 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 161L - East Asian Civilizations since 1850 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 358L - Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 360L - Traditional China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 361L - The History of Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 362L - Japanese Art from 16th to 20th Centuries: Japan and the West 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 363L - Modern Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 256 - The Arts of Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 258 - The Arts of China 3 Credit(s)
  • ART 362L - Japanese Art from 16th to 20th Centuries: Japan and the West 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 202 - Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 387 - The Government and Politics of China (C) 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete a minimum of 21 credits from seven courses, including three courses in a single East Asian language and four electives.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all courses applied toward the minor.
Pass/fail: No course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least four courses applied toward the minor must be completed at UMass Boston.
Course level: No more than two courses at the 100-level may be applied toward the minor.

Contact

Shaman Hatley, PhD, Department Chair    
Wheatley Hall, 6th Floor, Room 86
617.287.6492
Shaman.Hatley [@] umb.edu

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Asian Studies Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Asian Studies department, our research, and our faculty.

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College of Liberal Arts

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions