Language and Culture

Major in Language and Culture

The major in language and culture is intended for students who wish to develop a solid foundation of language skills and knowledge in one of the three culture areas. This major emphasizes language training through the third-year level in one of the East Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean). In addition to language study, EALC majors take courses on the society's culture, including in-depth study in one subject area

Major in Language and Culture - for students who first enrolled in IU Fall 2013 or later

A minimum of 30 credit hours in department-approved courses with at least 18 credit hours at the 300–400 level, including:

1. Third year, second-semester proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (i.e., through the 302 level). First-year language courses (C101-C102, J101-J102, J110, K101-K102) are not credited toward the total number of hours in the major.
2. At least five culture courses (15 credit hours), one of which must be E310 (formerly E200). Culture courses at the 100 level are not credited toward hours in the major. Three culture courses must be at the 300–400 level, selected from the same subject area (either History, Literature and Culture or Politics, Social Science, and Business). Though it does not count toward the subject area requirement, one fourth-year language course may be counted as a required culture course.

Major in Language and Culture - for students who first enrolled in IU between Summer 2008 and Spring 2013

For Chinese and Japanese concentrations, a minimum of 31 credit hours; and for Korean concentration, a minimum of 29 credit hours in department-approved courses, including:

• Three years of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language (or the equivalent). The total major hours of 31 credits (29 for Korean) cannot include first-year language courses (i.e., C101/C102, J101/J102, K101/K102).
• At least five culture courses (15 credit hours) above the 100 level:
  • One class must be E310 (formerly E200).
  • Three classes must be at the 300-400 level, chosen from a single major subject area (preferably, these three courses will be on the same East Asian society as the student’s language course work):
    • History/Literature/Culture; or
    • Politics/Social Science/Business
  • The fifth class may be any culture course at the 200 level or above. Although it does not count towards the subject area requirement, one semester of fourth-year language may be counted in place of the fifth culture class.

Students who enrolled at IU prior to Summer 2008 should contact the department undergraduate academic advisor for EALC major requirements (see Academic Advising for advisor information)

Accelerated Chinese Concentration - for students who first enrolled in IU in Summer 2013 or later

A minimum of 36 credit hours in department-approved courses, at least 18 of which must be at the 300–400 level, including:

1. Fourth-year, second-semester proficiency in Chinese (i.e., through the 402 level) and two semesters of C457 and/or C467. First- second- and third-year language courses (C101-C102, C201-202, and C301-C302) are not credited toward the total number of hours in the major.
2. At least seven culture courses (20 credits), including the following required courses: E310, two 300-level EALC culture courses associated with C457 and/or C467, and another EALC culture course; and participation in the capstone program in China is required. Culture courses at the 100 level are not credited toward hours in the major. Capstone enrollments include three additional culture courses (at least 8 credits). Students pursuing the Accelerated Chinese Concentration need not select a subject area concentration within the culture courses.
3. One semester of ASCS-W 499 (internship during capstone year in China (0 cr.)

Students who are interested in Accelerated Chinese Concentration requirements and entered IU prior to Summer 2013should see the EALC academic advisor for requirements (see Academic Advising for advisor information).

Note that the Accelerated Chinese Concentration requires summer and overseas study. Because students are expected to have completed the equivalent of four years of language preparation by the end of their second college year, students with no prior background in Chinese who elect this concentration will be expected to take Chinese language courses during the summers after their freshman and sophomore years. Students with no prior background who enter the program after the freshman year should anticipate similar course work during the summer and a total of more than four years to graduate.