FAS - East Asian Languages and Literatures

The interdisciplinary MA degree in East Asian Studies is granted through the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures; the Asian Studies Program, which is part of the University Center for International Studies, administers the IDMA. Courses are taught by faculty members who specialize in East Asia and who are in different academic departments and schools. The interdisciplinary MA in East Asian Studies is a two-year program that combines advanced language training with study in the social sciences and humanities focusing on East Asia. It is primarily intended for predoctoral students who desire intensive area training before choosing a doctoral program in a single discipline or for those planning professional careers in government, business, journalism, or pre-college teaching. The strength of this interdisciplinary approach lies in the fact that students are able to elect to work with faculty in a wide variety of disciplines, as well as pursue courses in a number of different areas throughout the humanities and social sciences.

Contact Information

Department Chair: J. Thomas Rimer

Main Office: 1501 Cathedral of Learning

Phone: (412) 624-5568

Fax: (412) 624-3458

Web site: http://www.pitt.edu/~fasgrad

Admissions

In addition to evidence of academic promise, applicants generally should have had at least one year of Chinese or Japanese language study. However, applicants with strong academic credentials who have no previous language training will be given serious consideration if they can show how an interdisciplinary language and area program in East Asian Studies will contribute to their long-term goals. If remedial or prerequisite classes are needed to prepare the student, additional course work and time may be necessary.

For complete detail on admissions requirements and procedures see Admission to the MA Program below.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of teaching assistantships are offered through the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. The duties are to assist in the Chinese and Japanese language programs.

Faculty Advisory Committee

Ann B. Jannetta (Academic Director)
J. Thomas Rimer
Bell Yung

Administrator: Dianne F. Dakis

Admission to the MA Program

The undergraduate QPA must be more than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for applicants to qualify for admission to the MA program. The official application form must be supported by the following documents:

The deadline each year for submitting applications is January 15 for admission the following Fall Term. Students are not accepted in the middle of the year (Spring Term). Notification can be expected by the middle of March.

For application materials please contact:

Graduate Secretary

Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

1501 Cathedral of Learning

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Phone: (412) 624-5569

Fax: (412) 624-3458

Web site: http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/

Admission to the MA/MBA Joint-Degree Program

Qualified students may simultaneously earn a master's degree in Business Administration and an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in East Asian Studies. Students enrolled in the joint-degree program take MBA and MA course work concurrently. Students will normally be expected to complete the program in five consecutive terms, beginning in the Fall Term of the first academic year and ending in the Spring Term of the following year. Students may, however, extend their program of study in order to pursue further language acquisition or an internship.

Prospective students must meet the full set of admission requirements for MBA study in the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and for the MA program of graduate study in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Students should first apply for admission to the MBA program. (See MBA Application Procedures and Deadlines for MBA admission requirements.) After admission to the MBA program, applicants to the MA program will be assessed by review panels of appropriate Faculty of Arts and Sciences faculty.

To obtain MBA application forms, contact:

Office of Admissions

Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Phone: (412) 648-1700

Fax: (412) 648-1659

E-mail: mba-admissions@katz.business.pitt.edu

Degree Requirements

The minimal requirements established by the Graduate Faculty of the University, as described under General Academic Regulations, and any additional requirements of FAS Graduate Studies described under FAS Degree Requirements, should be read in conjunction with specific departmental degree requirements described in the following sections.

Requirements for the MA Degree in East Asian Studies

Students pursuing the interdisciplinary MA degree must satisfy the following requirements:

Course Requirements

The MA in East Asian Studies requires a minimum of 24 credits of course work (excluding language credits) in two or more departments. The student and faculty advisor work together to plan a coherent program designed to assure the mastery of specific knowledge and skills, and an interdisciplinary focus.

Language Requirement

Three years of college-level study or its equivalent are required to fulfill the language requirement for the degree. Students typically enter the graduate program with some prior Chinese or Japanese language training and continue that work during their graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Course Outside Specialization

Students who specialize in China must take at least one three-credit course on Japan; and those who specialize in Japan must take at least one three-credit course on China.

History Courses

Six of the required credits must be taken in course work relating to the ancient and modern history of either China or Japan.

Thesis

The thesis topic must be approved by the student's academic advisor and faculty committee. The thesis must show an ability to use East Asian language materials.

Oral Comprehensive Examination

When course work and thesis are completed, the student must pass an oral comprehensive examination administered by the student's faculty committee. The faculty committee must represent at least two academic departments.

Certificate in Asian Studies

A certificate is another academic credential, the product of an educational experience that results in concentrated training in or knowledge of an interdisciplinary subject. The graduate-level certificate in Asian Studies is designed for students who wish to intensify their study of Asia. For more information on the Asian Studies certificate, see http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asp/, send E-mail to asia@imap.pitt.edu, or see information about this program on page 365 of the University Center for International Studies section of this bulletin.

Course Listings

Graduate courses are numbered at the 2000 level. Certain courses at the 1000 level may be taken for graduate credit with permission of the student's graduate advisor. Descriptions of the 1000-level courses are printed in the Course Descriptions published each term. In addition, the Asian Studies Program prints a course description booklet of all Asia-related courses throughout the University for each term.

Students not having graduate standing in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures must have permission of the instructor before registering for any of the following courses.

EAS 2000 Research and Thesis for the Master's Degree

EAS 2010 Seminar: Masterpieces of Chinese Literature

EAS 2021 Seminar: Chinese Linguistics

EAS 2022 Structure of Modern Chinese 1

EAS 2023 Structure of Modern Chinese 2

EAS 2024 Chinese Pedagogy 1

EAS 2025 Chinese Pedagogy 2

EAS 2026 Materials and Evaluation

EAS 2027 History of Chinese Language

EAS 2047 Chinese and Western Poetry

EAS 2065 Sources on East Asia

EAS 2902 Directed Study

EAS 2990 Independent Study