The Department of Chinese and Japanese provides students with a coherent study of a cultural region. This region primarily encompasses China, Japan, and Korea — countries that spring from a common historical experience and share many common values and traditions. Though language forms an important part of this study, the focus of the curriculum remains as much cultural as linguistic. Courses are thus taught in English as well as in East Asian languages.
The nations of East Asia are emerging as the economic powers of the twenty-first century. Students have the opportunity to explore the rich history and cultural legacy of East Asia, to study the Chinese and Japanese languages in depth, and to spend part or all of an academic year in China, Hong Kong or Japan.
Lawrence's CHJA Department is the recipient of a generous Freeman Foundation grant, which is being used to develop a Japanese language program and faculty and student study tours. Photos from the tours are available on the Freeman Trip pages.