The University of Iowa

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Asian Languages and Literature offers students the opportunity to major in languages and literatures of East and South Asia, with a focus on either China, Japan or South Asia (the Indian subcontinent). Majors generally study an Asian language beyond the intermediate level, and take a variety of related departmental or interdisciplinary courses. Presently, students can choose to concentrate on Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, or Sanskrit languages for their majors. In addition, the department currently offers Korean language through the second-year level. Students may also want to consider a major in International Programs with a focus on one of the civilization areas represented by the department. This also requires language study, but may permit more flexibility in choosing interdisciplinary courses.

Both majors offer students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in an Asian language while they study the people, literatures, and cultures of Asia. Many students find that they can combine an Asian studies major conveniently with a major in history, political science, art history, religion, sociology, journalism, business, anthropology, or other disciplines. Many of our majors go on to find employment teaching Asian languages, translating for domestic and international corporations, teaching English in Asian countries, combining a business background with extensive knowledge of their Asian area, or working for international government and social agencies. Other majors go on to obtain advanced degrees in a variety of academic disciplines and professional fields.

Financial resources: The Department offers a number of Stanley Summer Language Scholarships to be used for intensive summer language programs both in the U.S. and abroad. Students may use these to study any Asian language taught in our department. Each year we nominate four outstanding departmental majors, born or educated in Iowa, for the Helen K. Fairall scholarship offered through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The Department is strongly committed to encouraging undergraduates to study abroad. The University of Iowa is able to facilitate students' access to quality international programs in India and China through membership in the American Institute of Indian Studies and the China Cooperative Language and Study Programs consortium. The UI-Nanzan Exchange allows Iowa students to pay Iowa tuition, room and board while attending the Center for Japanese Studies at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. We also have a cooperative agreement with the Landour Language School in the Himalayan foothills of India. An arrangement with the government of Taiwan allows two students to live and study in Taiwan with many living amenities provided. Many students participate in summer, semester-long and year-long study abroad programs in India, China and Japan offered through the U of I and other U.S. universities. In the majority of cases credit is transferable and it is possible for a student to study abroad and still stick to a four-year graduation plan. There are resources available for funding study abroad, including the Stanley Summer Language Scholarship mentioned above, the Presidential Scholarship for Study Abroad, and the Stanley Scholarship for International Research and Study. It is frequently possible for students to apply regular U of I financial aid to their study abroad programs when credit is to be transferred.

Students have the opportunity to enrich their studies in Asian Languages and Literature even while living in Iowa City. The University has student associations for students from many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, and Taiwan, which all students are welcome to join. These associations as well as various international community groups sponsor numerous cultural events and holiday celebrations throughout the year.

Updated 2.9.06

 

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