Program Overview

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Overview of the East Asian Studies Program

The Department of East Asian Studies at McGill University offers a rigorous, innovative, and interdisciplinary environment for students to learn about critical and historical approaches to the study of East Asian arts, cultures, history, languages, literatures, media, and social practices. This major allows students to immerse themselves in the diversity of classes on offer, covering a wide range of disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, art history, ethnic studies, film and media studies, gender and women's studies, history, and literature.

Program Details

• The program provides an intellectually rich, historically informed, theoretically sophisticated, and materially grounded understanding of China, Japan, and Korea as spaces of dynamic formation and transformation.
• Students develop proficiency in languages of the region, gaining a unique and comprehensive understanding of East Asian cultures.

Careers

This major introduces students to East Asian cultures through a range of disciplines, each with its own lens and methodology. A multidisciplinary education can prepare students for many career paths, with knowledge of multiple languages being an asset in any industry. Possible career paths include:

• Journalist
• Diplomat
• Translator
• Community worker
• Researcher
• Historian

Course Work

As an East Asian Studies student, one can take courses like:

• EAST 241: Japanese Writing Beginners 1
• EAST 215: Introduction to East Asian Art
• EAST 328: Archaeology East Asian Empires
• EAST 477: Media and Environment in Asia

Possible Minors

Minors are a great way to customize the academic experience. Many students use minors to pursue interests outside their major, while others choose minors to complement their degree. Minors that complement this program include:

• Anthropology
• South Asian Studies
• World Islamic and Middle East Studies
• International Development
• Geography

Related Majors

Discover these related majors:

• Anthropology
• Religious studies
• Philosophy
• International development

Application Information

For this program, students need to apply to the Faculty of Arts. The full eligibility information provides more details about deadlines and required documents for the application.