Learning Goals for EALC Majors

Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures seeks to prepare students not only to achieve proficiency in East Asian languages but also to become thoughtful, informed global citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to a more cooperative and understanding world. To that end, the Department has established the following learning goals for its majors:

1. Language Proficiency

(1) Attain intermediate-high proficiency across speaking, listening, reading, and writing in at least one East Asian language.

(2) Engage deeply with the language to address a wide range of communicative needs, using culturally appropriate strategies in varied contexts.

2. Intercultural Frameworks

(1) Apply interdisciplinary approaches to analyze the historical, cultural, social, and political developments of East Asian societies.

(2) Contextualize and interpret cultural phenomena within specific regional settings, recognizing global impacts and situating cultural artifacts within historical contexts beyond common stereotypes.

(3) Employ comparative methods to examine similarities and differences between East Asian and non–East Asian contexts, thereby developing a critical capacity to assess cultural interactions and influences.

(4) Promote intercultural understanding and cooperation by bridging cultural divides and fostering mutual respect and collaboration in a globalized world.

3. Critical Thinking and Insight

(1) Develop strong critical and analytical skills to interpret texts, media, and cultural artifacts.

(2) Participate in academic discourse in English, critically evaluating sources and articulating informed analyses.

(3) Construct clear, well-supported arguments and critiques, contributing original insights to intercultural dialogue.

4. Research Skills and Application

(1) Employ methodological skills in both English and East Asian languages to design and conduct research, investigating literary, cultural, linguistic, and societal issues while maintaining rigorous documentation practices.

(2) Apply linguistic and cultural knowledge in professional fields such as international relations, global business, education, translation and interpretation, and tourism.

(3) Enhance professional and personal interactions in multilingual and multicultural settings by delivering formal presentations and communicating effectively across professional contexts.