Asian Language and Literature

The Asian Languages and Literature major gives you access to cultural traditions shared by a fifth of the world’s population. Choose from three areas of emphasis: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. By the time you complete your major you will be speaking and reading one of these languages fluently, having acquired a substantial body of knowledge about East Asian literature, cinema, and culture.

Chinese Emphasis:  Want to learn a language spoken by more people than speak English and Spanish combined? Want to communicate with people in one of the world’s largest economies? Study of Chinese language puts you in direct contact with one of the longest continuous literary traditions. Study-abroad in Asia is encouraged. Courses include introductory and intermediate language, literary Chinese, and courses in Chinese and Asian literature and culture.

Japanese Emphasis:  Land of the samurai and the sumo wrestler, land of ancient temples and tea ceremonies, land of Kabuki and Bunraku, of Hokusai and Hello Kitty, Kurosawa and Murakami, Manga and Anime—Japan is one of the world’s most fascinating civilizations. We offer introductory to advanced Japanese language courses, as well as courses in Japanese literature and culture. In addition, there are many study-abroad opportunities in Japan.

Korean Emphasis:  Want to understand all the lyrics to “Gangnam Style” and other K-pop songs? The Korean Language Program at UGA—the largest in the Southeastern US—allows you to major in Asian Languages and Literature with an emphasis in Korean. 

Each area of emphasis pays equal attention to the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Graduates should be able to read diverse texts in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, with little external help except from dictionaries, and should also be able to express ideas about complex social and literary issues orally and in writing.

Study Abroad Options: China, Japan, Tanzania, South Korea and East Asia