East Asian Studies

East Asian studies majors and faculty

East Asian Studies Department Website

Why Major in East Asian Studies at K?

Home to some of the world’s most ancient and complex cultures, East Asia is a powerful influencer of global trade, finance, and popular culture, as well as a region of significant geopolitical interest.

As an East Asian studies major, you will explore the culture, politics, and history of the region, with a special focus on China, Japan, and Korea. In addition to becoming proficient in either Chinese or Japanese, you will gain an extensive knowledge of the region, an appreciation for its cultures, and an understanding of modern global relations.  

You will complete courses in either Japanese or Chinese language as well as take East Asian culture classes taught in English, such as Urban China; China from the Borders; Occupiers and Occupied in Postwar East Asia; Japanese Sci-Fi; and Japanese Language and Society. The department also takes a deeply interdisciplinary approach to education, allowing students to fulfill some major requirements through select courses in the history, religion, theatre, and anthropology and sociology departments.  

As an East Asian studies major, you will also have the opportunity to study abroad—for six to nine months—in East Asia, with programs in China, Japan, and South Korea.  

While at K, you will be closely mentored by faculty in the department, who will help you plan out your studies to best match your personal and professional interests. This personal mentorship, along with the skills and cross-cultural expertise gained throughout the program, has prepared our graduates for successful careers in education, business, government, law, communications, and other fields.

Note: Students can only major in East Asian Studies; if they would prefer a minor, they can choose to study Chinese or Japanese—both of which are housed within the Department of East Asian Studies. However, due to the significant overlap in their programs, a student cannot major in East Asian Studies and minor in Chinese or Japanese.

What can you do with an East Asian Studies major?

Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our East Asian studies alumni.

Careers

  • Teacher
  • Software Engineer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Grant Writer

Employers

  • Fulbright
  • Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET)
  • United Nations
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Graduate Schools

  • Capital Normal University, Beijing
  • John Hopkins University
  • George Washington University
  • University of Michigan

Program Spotlights

Two K students teaching English at a Japanese elementary school

Immerse Yourself by Studying Abroad in Japan, China or South Korea

Experience first-hand the cultures you have been studying by taking advantage of the College’s study abroad programs across Japan, China and South Korea, with options to live in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagasaki, or Hikone, Japan; Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, or Harbin, China; or Seoul, South Korea. During the one to three terms you are abroad, you will have the chance to attend a local university, travel across the region, and integrate yourself into the community for complete cultural and linguistic immersion. 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year

As you complete your East Asian Studies major, you will develop close relationships with the students with whom you advance through your courses and the professors who go out of their way to offer personalized mentorship. This camaraderie is exemplified by the department’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, where everyone comes together to usher in a year of happiness and prosperity through an evening filled with food, music and conversation.

four K students eating homemade onigiri
Poster for the Nagai Kafu Lecture

Take a Deep Dive into Japanese Studies at the Nagai Kafu Lecture 

Named after the esteemed Japanese author who briefly attended Kalamazoo College in the early nineteen hundreds, the Nagai Kafu Lecture is an annual celebration of Japanese studies with guest speakers coming to campus to share their scholarship. The lecture provides you the opportunity to learn about aspects of Japanese culture, history, and writing from the field’s leading scholars. In 2022 Dr. Christina Laffin from the University of British Columbia spoke about Japanese women’s poetry in the tenth and twelfth centuries.

Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor

Kiana Kanegawa

Kiana Kanegawa (she/her)

Majors: East Asian Studies and Psychology


Study Abroad: Hikone, Japan


Best Adjective to Describe You: Ambitious

What is the best thing about being part of this department?

The faculty is incredibly kind and inspirational. I always feel encouraged to explore new cultures and histories.

What drew you to the department?

Exploring my Japanese heritage, learning Japanese.

What is your favorite thing about K?

The POC community here at K. I love exploring new cultures and making new friends. Making memories with friends is the best thing ever.

How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?


I’ve gotten to explore new passions and find myself finding new friends who come from very different backgrounds.

What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?

I’m doing a Psychology 593 SIP.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?

Getting a masters in psychology and then becoming a clinical counselor for family and children.

East Asian Studies Department News