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Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BA) - East Asian Languages and Cultures

About

China and Japan are two geographically and politically important nations. Each has a distinct culture that blends ancient tradition with modern life. China is the most rapidly developing economy in the world, while Japan has been known as one of the world’s cultural, economic and technological centers for a long time. Both Chinese and Japanese are designated as critical languages by the U.S. State Department.

By acquiring practical language and cultural skills, students in Appalachian’s Bachelor of Arts in Languages, Literatures and Cultures - East Asian Languages and Cultures become prepared for a variety of careers in government and diplomacy, scholarship, banking and finance, business, law, education, journalism, public health, medicine, international relations, tourism, translation and more.

This program requires a study abroad or international internship of 3–6 semester hours, and students are encouraged to study abroad for at least a semester.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates go on to successful careers in law, business, education, international relations and other fields in the United States and Asia. Employers include public schools and universities, embassies, consulates, businesses and more.

Graduate School: Some students continue their education in graduate school in language studies or literature.

People

  • Departmental Video
    Departmental Video

    Meet faculty and students in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Learn how majoring in a world language opens doors to a number of careers and allows you to work and communicate with people from all over the world.

  • Student Profile: Matthias Kramer
    Student Profile: Matthias Kramer

    A childhood passion for Pokémon led Matthias Kramer’s path toward Asian studies and comparative literature. Next stop: a combined M.A./Ph.D. program in comparative literature at the University of Oregon.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Wendy Xie
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Wendy Xie

    Dr. Wendy Xie teaches Chinese and talks about the value and importance of learning another language.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Minors

A minor is required. Common choices include Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)/Applied Linguistics, Global Studies, English, International Business or Chinese.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Japanese Culture Club — A social and cultural club for students interested in Japanese and Japanese-speaking cultures.

Chinese Culture Club — A social and cultural club for students interested in Chinese and Chinese-speaking cultures.

Asian Student Association — A student organization dedicated to building connections within the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) community as well as between people of all cultures and ethnicities on campus.

View all Language and Culture clubs

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

In the last two years, LLC faculty members have led service-learning trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Ghana.

Read more

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Students can study the Chinese or Japanese language (or both) and explore the exciting literature, film, popular culture, religion and other forms of cultural expression associated with East Asia.
  • The program offers a variety of study abroad opportunities in Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea — countries where Appalachian has partnership universities.
  • The program provides extensive language training and in-depth study of Chinese and Japanese cultures and societies.
  • Classes are small, so students have close contact with and easy access to faculty.
  • Students are active in extracurricular activities, including conversation hours, Chinese/Japanese culture club meetings and events dedicated to Chinese/Japanese language and culture.

  • Students are consistently awarded competitive Chinese and Japanese scholarships, such as the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship.

Location

Boone campus only

Contacts

Dr. Paul Worley
Department Chair
worleypm@appstate.edu
828-262-6709

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

  • Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

    The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers courses that enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures and languages as well as their own, making them prepared for lifelong learning in a multicultural world.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

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