Introduction to the Major
The East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture(link is external)major trains students in the philosophical and religious traditions that help shape and inform the many aspects of East Asia’s diverse cultures. This major trains students 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.
UC Berkeley is a world-renowned center for the study of East Asian Humanities. Whether you want to master Chinese or Japanese, immerse yourself in the literary and cultural traditions of East Asia, absorb the profound insights of its philosophical and poetic texts, or come to a deeper understanding of the modern and contemporary histories and media cultures of this complex and vital region, EALC has something for you.
Additional Options
- If you are interested in language or culture and want to complement your studies of religion and philosophy, ask about our minors(link is external) in Buddhist Studies, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tibetan.
- If you are interested in the philosophy and religion of a specific culture, discuss a plan of study with your major advisor to create a focus through your upper division coursework.
Amplify Your Major
- Visit the Institute of East Asian Studies(link is external), the C.V. Starr East Asian Library(link is external), and other Friends+Partners(link is external) of EALC.
- Publish your work in the Berkeley Student Journal of Asian Studies(link is external).
Jobs and Employers
- Career in Corporate Environment
- English Teacher
- Import/Export Business
Graduate Programs
- Business School
- Law School
- MA in Asian Studies
- PhD in Buddhist Studies
- PhD in Chinese
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ealc.berkeley.edu(link is external) for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop in to 3413 Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor, call (510) 642-3480, or email questions to ealc-advising@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)
Advising Drop-In Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-12pm, 1-4pm
For general information about the major, visit ealc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate(link is external).
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
