Asian Languages and Cultures (B.A.)

The B.A. in Asian Languages and Cultures is an interdisciplinary major that serves students with strengths and interest in Asian languages and cultures, providing these students with communicative, critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills as well as the intercultural competency that employers seek, enhancing possibilities of working internationally. Choosing from three concentrations (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), majors will acquire the advanced language skills required to communicate effectively in the target Asian language. 

The major is composed of 36-42 credits. Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for the baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.

Inquiries: Wing Shan Ho (how@montclair.edu)

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements42
World Languages and Cultures Requirements0-3
Major Requirements36
Free Electives42-39
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Major Required Courses
WLNC 145Introduction to Asian Studies3
WLNC 469Capstone Course in Asian Languages and Cultures3
Required Concentration 1
Complete one concentration. See requirements below.30
Total Credits36

Chinese Concentration

Required Concentration Courses
CHIN 101 and CHIN 112 may be required as prerequisites. Students must either complete both courses or be placed at the intermediate level by the department.
CHIN 121Intermediate Chinese I3
CHIN 132Intermediate Chinese II3
CHIN 205Mastering Chinese3
Concentration Electives
Complete three courses from the following:9
Mastering Chinese
Spoken Chinese
Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society
Popular Music and Modern Chinese Culture
Introduction to Chinese Culture
Business Chinese
Chinese Study Abroad
Perfecting Chinese Grammar
Special Topics in Asian Culture
Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture
Electives in Chinese Language or Asian Culture
Complete 12 credits from the list below. Students may complete upper-level Chinese language courses not already used in the concentration. Electives must be taken in at least two different departments outside of World Languages and Cultures12
Total Credits30

Electives in Chinese Language or Asian Cultures

ANTH 130Cultures of South Asia3
ARHT 280Asian Art3
CHIN 210Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society3
or CHEN 210 Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society
CHIN 215Popular Music and Modern Chinese Culture3
CHIN 303Introduction to Chinese Culture3
CHIN 331Business Chinese3
CHIN 375Chinese Study Abroad3
or CHEN 375 Study Abroad: China
CHIN 410Perfecting Chinese Grammar3
EAES 271Geography of East and Southeast Asia3
ENGL 308Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature3
HIST 129Modern Japan: A History of Japan From the Meiji Through the Showa3
HIST 131Introduction to Indian Civilization3
HIST 132Introduction to Chinese Civilization3
HIST 133Modern Chinese Civilization3
HIST 138Introduction to Modern South Asia3
HIST 223Communist Revolution in China3
HIST 330Chinese Social History Through Literature3
HIST 432Development of Japanese Character and Culture3
PHIL 237Asian Philosophy3
POLS 206Government and Politics of China and Japan3
POLS 340Government and Politics of India and South Asia3
POLS 362International Relations in Asia3
RELG 213Buddhism3
RELG 214Asian Texts3
RELG 215Hinduism3
RELG 217Taoism3
RELG 240Asian Religions3
WLNC 303Asian Cities and Cinemas3
WLNC 368Special Topics in Asian Culture3
WLNC 467Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture3

Japanese Concentration

Required Concentration Courses 1
JAPN 101 and JAPN 112 may be required as prerequisites. Students must either complete both courses or be placed at the intermediate level by the department.
JAPN 121Intermediate Japanese I3
JAPN 132Intermediate Japanese II3
JAPN 251Advanced Japanese I3
Concentration Electives
Complete three courses from the following:9
Japanese Conversation and Culture
Kanji through Reading
Reading in Japanese
Gender and Social Status in the Japanese Language through Manga and Short Stories
Advanced Japanese II
Advanced Japanese III
Japanese Study Abroad
Advanced Japanese IV
Special Topics in Asian Culture
Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture
Electives in Japanese Language or Asian Culture
Complete 12 credits from the list below. Students may complete upper-level Japanese language courses not already used in the concentration. Electives must be taken in at least two different departments outside of World Languages and Cultures12
Total Credits30

Electives in Japanese Language or Asian Cultures

ANTH 130Cultures of South Asia3
ARHT 280Asian Art3
CHIN 210Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society3
or CHEN 210 Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society
EAES 271Geography of East and Southeast Asia3
ENGL 308Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature3
HIST 129Modern Japan: A History of Japan From the Meiji Through the Showa3
HIST 131Introduction to Indian Civilization3
HIST 132Introduction to Chinese Civilization3
HIST 133Modern Chinese Civilization3
HIST 138Introduction to Modern South Asia3
HIST 223Communist Revolution in China3
HIST 330Chinese Social History Through Literature3
HIST 432Development of Japanese Character and Culture3
JAPN 206Japanese Conversation and Culture3
JAPN 207Kanji through Reading3
JAPN 208Reading in Japanese3
JAPN 209Gender and Social Status in the Japanese Language through Manga and Short Stories3
JAPN 252Advanced Japanese II3
JAPN 301Advanced Japanese III3
JAPN 375Japanese Study Abroad3-9
PHIL 237Asian Philosophy3
POLS 206Government and Politics of China and Japan3
POLS 340Government and Politics of India and South Asia3
POLS 362International Relations in Asia3
RELG 213Buddhism3
RELG 214Asian Texts3
RELG 215Hinduism3
RELG 217Taoism3
RELG 240Asian Religions3
WLNC 303Asian Cities and Cinemas3
WLNC 368Special Topics in Asian Culture3
WLNC 467Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture3

Korean Concentration

Required Concentration Courses 1
KORE 101 and KORE 102 may be required as prerequisites. Students must either complete both courses or be placed at the intermediate level by the department.
KORE 121Intermediate Korean I3
KORE 132Intermediate Korean II3
KORE 201Mastering Korean: Daily Life in Korea3
Concentration Electives
Complete three courses from the following:9
Conversational Korean through K-Pop and Popular Culture
Reading in Korean
Business Korean
Korean Study Abroad
Perfecting Korean Grammar
Special Topics in Asian Culture
Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture
Electives in Korean Language or Asian Culture
Complete 12 credits from the list below. Students may complete upper-level Korean language courses not already used in the concentration. Electives must be taken in at least two different departments outside of World Languages and Cultures12
Total Credits30

Electives in Korean Language or Asian Cultures

ANTH 130Cultures of South Asia3
ARHT 280Asian Art3
CHEN 210Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society3
CHEN 375Study Abroad: China3-9
EAES 271Geography of East and Southeast Asia3
ENGL 308Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature3
HIST 129Modern Japan: A History of Japan From the Meiji Through the Showa3
HIST 131Introduction to Indian Civilization3
HIST 132Introduction to Chinese Civilization3
HIST 133Modern Chinese Civilization3
HIST 138Introduction to Modern South Asia3
HIST 223Communist Revolution in China3
HIST 330Chinese Social History Through Literature3
HIST 432Development of Japanese Character and Culture3
KORE 206Conversational Korean through K-Pop and Popular Culture3
KORE 308Reading in Korean3
KORE 331Business Korean3
KORE 375Korean Study Abroad3-9
KORE 410Perfecting Korean Grammar3
PHIL 237Asian Philosophy3
POLS 206Government and Politics of China and Japan3
POLS 340Government and Politics of India and South Asia3
POLS 362International Relations in Asia3
RELG 213Buddhism3
RELG 214Asian Texts3
RELG 215Hinduism3
RELG 217Taoism3
RELG 240Asian Religions3
WLNC 303Asian Cities and Cinemas3
WLNC 368Special Topics in Asian Culture3
WLNC 467Independent Study in Asian Language or Culture3

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication3
D. Fine and Performing Arts
Complete a 3 credit Fine and Performing Arts course.3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences3
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
H. Mathematics
Complete a 3 credit Mathematics course.3
I. Natural Science Laboratory
Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course.4
J. Physical Education
Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course.1
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
2. Global Cultural Perspectives3
3. Social Science Perspectives 3
Students in P12 Subject Area Teaching programs complete EDFD 200 as part of the Teacher Education sequence.
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course.3
Students in P12 Subject Area Teaching programs complete SASE 210 as part of the Teacher Education sequence.
Total Credits42

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

Chinese Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GNED 1991GENERAL EDUCATION (C2) Literature3
WRIT 1053GENERAL EDUCATION (D) Fine and Performing Arts3
CMST 1013CHIN 112 (or Free Elective)3
GENERAL EDUCATION (G) Computer Science3CHIN 2103
GENERAL EDUCATION (K1) Social Science – American and European History3WLNC 1453
CHIN 101 (or Free Elective)3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3GENERAL EDUCATION (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION (I) Natural Science Laboratory4GENERAL EDUCATION (H) Mathematics3
GENERAL EDUCATION (K3) Social Science – Social Science Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION (J) Physical Education1
GENERAL EDUCATION (L) Interdisciplinary Studies3World Cultures3
CHIN 1213CHIN 1323
 Free Elective3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHIN 2053Chinese Elective3
Chinese Elective3Chinese Elective3
Free Elective3Chinese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Chinese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3WLNC 4693
Chinese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3Chinese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120

Japanese Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GNED 1991GENERAL EDUCATION (C2) Literature3
WRIT 1053GENERAL EDUCATION (D) Fine and Performing Arts3
CMST 1013GENERAL EDUCATION (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION (G) Computer Science3JAPN 1123
GENERAL EDUCATION (K1) Social Science – American and European History3WLNC 1453
JAPN 1013 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3GENERAL EDUCATION (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION (I) Natural Science Laboratory4GENERAL EDUCATION (H) Mathematics3
GENERAL EDUCATION (K3) Social Science – Social Science Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION (J) Physical Education1
GENERAL EDUCATION (L) Interdisciplinary Studies3World Cultures3
JAPN 1213JAPN 1323
 Free Elective3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
JAPN 2513Japanese Elective3
Japanese Elective3Japanese Elective3
Free Elective3Japanese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Japanese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3WLNC 4693
Japanese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3Japanese Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120

Korean Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GNED 1991GENERAL EDUCATION (C2) Literature3
WRIT 1053GENERAL EDUCATION (D) Fine and Performing Arts3
CMST 1013GENERAL EDUCATION (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION (G) Computer Science3KORE 1023
GENERAL EDUCATION (K1) Social Science – American and European History3WLNC 1453
KORE 1013 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3GENERAL EDUCATION (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
GENERAL EDUCATION (I) Natural Science Laboratory4GENERAL EDUCATION (H) Mathematics3
GENERAL EDUCATION (K3) Social Science – Social Science Perspectives3GENERAL EDUCATION (J) Physical Education1
GENERAL EDUCATION (L) Interdisciplinary Studies3World Cultures3
KORE 1213KORE 1323
 Free Elective3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
KORE 2013Korean Elective3
Korean Elective3Korean Elective3
Free Elective3Korean Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Korean Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3WLNC 4693
Korean Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3Korean Elective/Asian Cultures Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120