East Asian Studies is a strong and vibrant program at UC Davis. Our faculty research and teach across the disciplines from the Humanities and Social Sciences to the various other sciences. Disciplines include Anthropology, Art History, Agriculture and Plant Sciences, Geology, History, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Literature, Nutrition and more. The EAS program actively sponsors and promotes lectures by visiting and campus experts, colloquia, symposia, and workshops addressing the concerns of the research community. These events are free and open to the public as we recognize that they can enrich the lives and affect the choices made by people in our larger region. Understanding East Asia today requires knowledge and appreciation of the forces that have shaped its diverse cultures and societies. It offers us a perspective on the diversity of human achievements and is key to understanding the region.
Major Requirements
Planning ahead?
Minor Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
- Majors and Minors
What are some popular double major or minor pairings with East Asian Studies?
Students from across a diverse background of programs will double major or minor with East Asian Studies. We recommend meeting with other advising centers to confirm program requirements, but here are some that are popular pairings with East Asian Studies:
- Communications
- Contemporary Leadership (minor only)
- Education (minor only)
- English
- Global Studies (minor only)
- Sociology
- Political ScienceWhat do I need to declare a double major?
We encourage you to meet with the undergraduate academic advisors for your major programs to ensure compliance with any specific rules that would affect success in petitioning for a double major. Minimally you will need to:
- Complete at least 1 lower division preparatory course in East Asian Studies
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA or better in completed East Asian Studies coursework
- Maintain good academic standing overall- Major Requirements
What is the Foreign Language requirement for students in the East Asian Studies major?
For the East Asian Studies major, students must complete the first 2 beginner courses (example: JPN 1 and JPN 2) for the major requirements. However, for College of Letters & Science degree requirements, students must complete up to the 3rd level of beginner courses (example: JPN 1, JPN 2, and JPN 3). You may satisfy the requirement by taking 15 quarter units of one foreign or classical language offered at UC Davis. Please see more information on the College requirements for Foreign Language here.
Is studying abroad in an East Asian country required?
No, students do not need to study abroad in a foreign country for their major requirements, however, students are encouraged to study abroad if they are able to. You can learn more about opportunities to study abroad through the UC Davis Global Learning Hub.
Students who do study abroad in an East Asian country may be able to receive credit towards their major requirements; please see a staff advisor before travelling to discuss this process.- Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) Grading Mode
- For questions about using P/NP grading for your major, please click here.
Leadership & Program Committee
Meet the East Asian Studies Program Director, and our affiliated Program Faculty.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate in and understand basic Chinese or Japanese or other East and Southeast Asian Languages, have exposure to elementary Chinese and Japanese or other East or Southeast Asian languages, and comprehend simple texts in such media as newspaper, books, and magazines
- Effectively comprehend and analyze aspects of the civilizations of East and Southeast Asia as manifested in such areas as its sociopolitical systems, literary/artistic expressions, and sociological and economic trends
- Effectively acquire critical and analytical skills in the humanities, social sciences, and languages as they relate to East Asia and Southeast Asia.