Language Requirements

Entering students are required to take the language placement examination in the East Asia language of specialization at the beginning of the semester in which they enter the program, unless that language was the primary language of instruction at the institution from which they received the BA degree. The student must fulfill the following language requirements listed below by field as applicable to his or her work.

The Primary Language
  • Chinese language requirements: Fifth-year modern Chinese, or the equivalent; two years classical Chinese, or the equivalent.
  • Japanese language requirements: Fifth-year Japanese, or the equivalent, for all students; one year of classical Japanese, or the equivalent; one semester of Kanbun or one year of classical Chinese.
  • Korean language requirement: Fifth-year Korean, or the equivalent; Korean GR8010, “Advanced Korean in Mixed Script”
  • Tibetan language requirement: Third-year modern Tibetan, or the equivalent; second-year classical Tibetan. Chinese language training also relevant (see below).
  • Vietnamese language requirement: Fifth-year Vietnamese, or the equivalent. For students of premodern Vietnam, two years classical Chinese, or the equivalent.

PhD language examination requirements: language exemption is fulfilled by earning a B+ or better in required courses. Those with equivalent course(s) completed elsewhere still must pass the placement examination.

Second and Third Languages
  • Required for the study of China: Pre-Qing history: three years of Japanese or the equivalent, subject to substitution of another Asian language by consultation with the advisor. A third Asian language may be recommended at the advisor’s discretion. Qing and later: advanced proficiency in a relevant language, such as Japanese, Korean, Manchu, Mongolian, Tibetan, etc., chosen in consultation with the advisor. Demonstration of reading knowledge of a relevant European language is strongly advised. For premodern Chinese literature: three years of Japanese or the equivalent. For modern Chinese literature, three years of Japanese or two years of a European language. All students are encouraged to take a reading course in French (FRENS UN1204) or German (German UN1115) and pass the reading exam, but the advisor should decide whether this is necessary.
  • Required for the study of Japan: For all students: Two years of a European language, or two years of a second Asian language in their classical or modern form, in consultation with the advisor. Pre-1800 history: two years of Classical Chinese.
  • Required for the study of Korea: For all students: three years of Japanese or the equivalent; for students in premodern literature: one year of classical Chinese or the equivalent. If necessary, reading knowledge of a European language in consultation with the advisor.
  • Required for the study of Tibet: For all students: reading knowledge of one European language or Japanese, chosen in consultation with advisor. For all students: three years of modern Chinese or two years of modern Chinese and one year Classical Chinese, chosen in consultation with advisor. In exceptional cases in which Chinese is not necessary for research interests, this requirement may be waived in consultation with advisor.
  • Required for the study of Vietnam: For students of premodern Vietnam: three years of Chinese, or the equivalent, or another Asian language in consultation with advisor. Reading proficiency in French (in consultation with advisor). For students of modern Vietnam: three years of French or the equivalent. In special cases, depending on topic and in consultation with advisor, two years of Classical Chinese, three years of Japanese, or three years of Chinese, or the equivalent of these, may also be required.
Second European Language Requirements

A second European language, if required by the advisor.