Develop a deep understanding of the philosophical and religious traditions of East Asia.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Religion, Thought, and Culture in the College of Letters & Science introduces students to the philosophical and religious traditions of East Asia’s diverse cultures. The major trains students in these traditions in a way that is grounded in a familiarity with the texts, languages, and cultures of East Asian societies, while also examining how these traditions have been (and might better be) brought into humanistic disciplines.
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
- Engage in comparative study of East Asian nations and cultures.
- Learn Chinese, Japanese, or Tibetan to access texts directly without translation.
- Gain skills for diverse career paths and advanced studies in fields like Asian Studies, law, business, and education.
Curriculum
The East Asian Religion, Thought, and Culture major offers an interdisciplinary approach, fostering a breadth of perspective by engaging with courses across various departments. Students explore culture and literature through diverse academic lenses, developing valuable skills in the comparative study of East Asian societies.
Students in the major will complete coursework in introductory and intermediate Chinese, Japanese, or Tibetan language; core courses in Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese, or Tibetan subjects; and supplementary disciplinary breadth courses in Art History, Film, History, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Asian Literature. The major also requires a dedicated "tools and methods" course (EALANG 191), ensuring students cultivate strong research and analytical abilities.
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 Religion, Thought, and Culture major, schedule an appointment with the Department Advisor.
If you are considering a major in East Asian, Religion, Thought, and Culture, 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 soon as possible to fulfill requirements set by the University, college, and department.
By learning the specifics of philosophy and religion in a comparative context, East Asian Religion, Thought, and Culture graduates gain transferable skills highly relevant to a wide array of 21st-century careers. These skills prepare students not only for advanced studies but also for professional paths that demand critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying East Asian Languages and Cultures. 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:
- Digital Marketing
- English Teacher
- Global Retail
- Legal Assistant
- Outreach and Education Associate
- Program Manager
- Strategy Consulting Analyst
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
- Chinese
- Education
- Law
Sophie Volpp, Faculty
Sophie Volpp is Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Comparative Literature. Her research concerns Chinese literature of the 16th through 19th centuries, and teaching interests include literature and material culture, reading fictional character, and literature of exile and migration.
“The East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture major will help you understand the deep philosophical underpinnings of the cultures of East Asia. You will have the opportunity to study Buddhism, Confucianism, and philosophical Daoism in historical perspective and to think about their contemporary manifestations.”
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 EARTC major; enroll in CHINESE, JAPAN, or TIBETAN 1A-1B (take a placement exam if needed).
- 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.
- Complete major prerequisites, including one course from List A and CHINESE, JAPAN, or TIBETAN 10A-10B.
- Look into study abroad; check out scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren.
- 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 courses from List A and List B.
- 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.
- Work as a language tutor for courses in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
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
- Enroll in the capstone course EA LANG 191 Tools and Methods in the Study of East Asian Philosophy and Religion.
- 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.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Consider attending the ASIA Network conference and giving a student presentation.
- 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 language study or other 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 CHINESE, JAPAN, or TIBETAN 10A-10B if needed; otherwise begin upper division requirements for the major.
- 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
- Continue taking upper division courses from List A and List B.
- 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.
- Work as a language tutor for courses in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
- 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.
- IInterested 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
- Enroll in the capstone course EA LANG 191 Tools and Methods in the Study of East Asian Philosophy and Religion.
- 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 Essay 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 Religion, Thought, and Culture or choosing a major?
The Department of East Asian Language and Cultures offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in East Asian Religion, Thought, and Culture 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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