Few parts of the world have experienced political, economic, and social change faster than East Asia. The rapid globalization of this dynamic region—and its ties to the United States—have driven interest in the languages, cultures, and histories of China, Japan, and South Korea among undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in government, business, journalism, academia, and the arts.

The Hamilton Lugar School's Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures at Indiana University is dedicated to the study of this rich and diverse region, with courses and expertise ranging from contemporary politics and religion to literature and ancient philosophy.

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Explore a major in EALC

Learn an East Asian language

Study abroad in East Asia

Study East Asia in depth

Explore our dedicated M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Chinese, Japanese, and East Asian Studies.

Bring East Asia into your professional program

See our dual-degree and joint degree programs in business and public affairs.

Become a language teacher

Learn about our MA programs in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language pedagogy.

Institute for Korean Studies

The Institute advances cultural fluency through providing programs for students, faculty, and the community, and expands public understanding of Korea.

East Asian Studies Center

The Center builds networks of knowledge, practice, resources, and discovery that enhance the understanding of East Asia locally, regionally, and nationally.

21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative

JPSI aims to educate, raise awareness, and debate policy responses to the various political, social, and foreign policy challenges that Japan faces in this extremely dynamic era of 21st-century change.

Chinese Flagship Program

IU’s Chinese Flagship is an innovative language program that will help you gain professional-level language proficiency while you major in any of IU’s fields of study.

EALC Alumni Spotlight!

From IU to Japan's UN Mission: Abigail Zumbrun's (BA, 2019) Career Path

After graduating from the Hamilton Lugar School, Abigail ended up working at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York. She graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures and International Studies, along with a minor in Folklore and Ethnomusicology. Her interest in Japanese really took off after a volunteer trip to Japan, and from that point on, she stayed fully committed to it.

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