Master the art of comparative analysis—a critical skill for interpreting the forces driving the contemporary era.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Humanities in the College of Letters & Science provides students with an understanding of East Asian cultures through an innovative curriculum taught by leading scholars. The major allows students to range across East Asian cultures through the array of disciplines and specialties represented in the department, including literary, cultural, visual, and sound studies, religion, philosophy, film and media studies, disability studies, and environmental humanities.
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive community for our undergraduates. We believe in the importance of connection, and host events such as EALC Talks!, an informal lunchtime talk series for faculty, students, and staff to share their research and projects.
Highlights
- Hear from leading East Asian scholars in the EALC Talks! series.
- Work closely with a faculty member in the EALC Honors Program.
- Submit your essay or research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize.
Curriculum
The East Asian Humanities major brings into focus the literatures and cultures of East Asia by expanding the boundaries of national traditions and bringing them in dialogue with each other. The curriculum prepares students for cross-regional comparative work with an emphasis on cultural and literary analysis, media studies, and interdisciplinary humanities.
Coursework in the major may be drawn from two or more national traditions in East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, among others) touching on both the modern and classical periods. The program of study offers a great deal of flexibility. Though we recommend that students acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language in their coursework, the major can be completed entirely through courses taught in English.
Learn more at ealc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/
Study Options
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers undergraduate majors in Chinese Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture (new), East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture, and East Asian Humanities, as well as Mongolian and Tibetan language and literature courses. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and many are double majors in a broad spectrum of other departments and programs. The department also offers minors in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To officially declare the East Asian Humanities major, schedule an appointment with the Department Advisor.
If you are considering a major in East Asian Humanities, consult with the Department Advisor regarding major requirements, transfer credits, and other academic concerns. We encourage you to begin your preparations for the major as early as possible to fulfill requirements set by the University, college, and department.
Students majoring in East Asian Humanities develop communication and critical thinking skills transferable to a variety of careers and jobs. Program alumni work in fields such as education, translation, diplomacy, journalism, travel, and more. They pursue advanced degrees in Asian studies, business, foreign language, law, and other disciplines. Alumni also pursue post-graduate opportunities such as professional fellowships and public service programs.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying East Asian Humanities. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Behavioral Therapy
- Broadcasting & Media
- Consulting
- International Trade
- Law
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Teaching
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Asian Studies
- Buddhist Studies
- Business
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Engineering
- Law
- Rhetoric
Aditya, class of 2026
Recipient of the Departmental Citation and selected to give the 2025 EALC valedictory speech, Aditya Rajavelu will build on his UC Berkeley degree with a year of intensive study in Japan.
“This degree gave me the chance to focus on the literary aspects of East Asian Studies, while giving me the flexibility to pick and choose topics....such as JAPAN 159 Contemporary Japanese Literature. The flexibility of the major also allowed me to take a fascinating class EALANG 125 The Art of Writing and the Limits of Empathy, as well as EALANG C152 Buddhist Astral Science. I would recommend this major for students seeking a self-directed approach in their studies related to East Asia, and to those with an interest in multiple areas within East Asian studies.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the East Asian Humanities major; start a language course if acquiring reading knowledge for the major.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad; check out scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren.
- Complete lower division requirements for the major, including two courses covering at least two geographical or cultural spheres.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Institute of East Asian Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into awards in East Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, or Korean Studies.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin satisfying upper division requirements for the major with anchor courses and electives that span at least two regions across East Asia.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the Association for Asian Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Look into Schwarzman and Yenching Scholars for master’s study in Beijing.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements for the major.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Attend the ASIA Network conference and give a student presentation.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as the JET Program, EPIK, or Luce Scholars.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Prepare for enrollment with your college advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Study abroad in East Asia through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Complete lower division requirements for the major if needed; begin satisfying upper division requirements.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Look into study abroad; check out scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren.
- Explore new interests in a Berkeley Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Institute of East Asian Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Look into awards in East Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, or Korean Studies.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Look into Schwarzman and Yenching Scholars for master’s study in Beijing.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the Association for Asian Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as the JET Program, EPIK, or Luce Scholars.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements for the major.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Attend the ASIA Network conference and give a student presentation.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Prepare for enrollment with your major advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Study abroad in East Asia through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about East Asian Humanities or choosing a major?
The Department of East Asian Language and Cultures offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in East Asian Humanities or other EALC majors. The Department Advisor for undergraduate students is available for in-person and remote appointments to answer general questions about EALC programs and for support navigating the University. For advising hours and contact information, visit ealc.berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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