University Catalog

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)

Degree Requirements Overview

SEEDS General Education Requirements27
New Student Seminar1
Major Requirements36
Free Electives56
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
CHIN 205
Mastering Chinese
CHIN 206
Spoken Chinese
CHIN 210
Contemporary Chinese Cinema and Society
CHIN 215
Popular Music and Modern Chinese Culture
CHIN 303
Introduction to Chinese Culture
CHIN 331
Business Chinese
CHIN 375
Chinese Study Abroad
CHIN 410
Perfecting Chinese Grammar
WLNC 368
Special Topics in Asian Culture
WLNC 467
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
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
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
JAPN 206
Japanese Conversation and Culture
JAPN 207
Kanji through Reading
JAPN 208
Reading in Japanese
JAPN 209
Gender and Social Status in the Japanese Language through Manga and Short Stories
JAPN 252
Advanced Japanese II
JAPN 301
Advanced Japanese III
JAPN 375
Japanese Study Abroad
JAPN 401
Advanced Japanese IV
WLNC 368
Special Topics in Asian Culture
WLNC 467
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
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
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
KORE 206
Conversational Korean through K-Pop and Popular Culture
KORE 308
Reading in Korean
KORE 331
Business Korean
KORE 375
Korean Study Abroad
KORE 410
Perfecting Korean Grammar
WLNC 368
Special Topics in Asian Culture
WLNC 467
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
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
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

New Student Seminar

Students in the Adult Learner program must take GNED 100.
Complete one course from the following. Some courses may be restricted by major. Consult with an academic advisor.1
ADVS 198
Pathways to Success
CHEM 190
Freshman Seminar in Chemistry
FYS 100
First Year Seminar
GNED 100
Adult Academic Success Seminar
GNED 199
New Student Seminar
HPEM 199
Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education
IDS 155
Pathways to Adult Learning
JUST 199
New Student Seminar
MATH 102
New Student Experience for Mathematical Sciences
MUGN 199
Freshman Seminar for Music Majors
NURS 199
Introduction to Nursing
POLS 199
Freshman Seminar in Political Science and Law

SEEDS General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill the SEEDS requirements.

Foundations
Effective Writing I
Complete one Effective Writing I course.3
Effective Writing II
Complete one Effective Writing II course.3
Interactive Communication
Complete one Interactive Communication course.3
Quantitative Reasoning
Complete one Quantitative Reasoning course.3
Political and Civic Life
Complete one Political and Civic Life course.3
World Language
Requirement is fulfilled by major courses.
Exploration
Complete one course from four different Exploration categories:12
Analyzing Cultures and Societies
Creative Expression
Ethical Inquiry
Historical Thinking
Literary and Artistic Analysis
Scientific Reasoning
Total Credits27

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This recommended degree plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years and 120 credits. This plan is a recommendation and MUST be used in consultation with their academic advisor. Important note: Students should be aware this plan assumes no pre-requisite coursework is required. If pre-requisite coursework is needed, students may have additional requirements to fulfill which do not appear on the plan.

Available Roadmaps

Chinese Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHIN 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 1 (depending on placement))3CHIN 112 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 1 (depending on placement))3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
GNED 1991SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning3
SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3WLNC 145 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1 – Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3
SEEDS: Interactive Communication3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHIN 121 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 2)3CHIN 1323
Concentration Elective3Concentration Elective3
SEEDS: Exploration 2 - Ethical Inquiry recommended3SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Historical Thinking recommended3
Free Elective3SEEDS: Exploration 4 - Literary and Artistic Analysis recommended3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHIN 2053Major Elective3
Concentration Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective1Free Elective1
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Elective3WLNC 4693
Major Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120

Japanese Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
JAPN 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 1 (depending on placement))3JAPN 112 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 1 (depending on placement))3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
New Student Seminar1SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning3
SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3WLNC 145 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1 – Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3
SEEDS: Interactive Communication3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
JAPN 121 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 2)3JAPN 1323
Major Elective3Major Elective3
SEEDS: Exploration 2 - Ethical Inquiry recommended3SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Historical Thinking recommended3
Free Elective3SEEDS: Exploration 4 - Literary and Artistic Analysis recommended3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
JAPN 2513Concentration Elective3
Major Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective1Free Elective1
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Concentration Elective3WLNC 4693
Free Elective3Concentration Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120

Korean Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
KORE 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 1 (depending on placement))3KORE 102 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 2 (depending on placement))3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
New Student Seminar1SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning3
SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3WLNC 145 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1 – Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3
SEEDS: Interactive Communication3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
KORE 121 (Fulfills SEEDS: World Language 2 )3KORE 1323
Concentration Elective3Concentration Elective3
SEEDS: Exploration 2 - Ethical Inquiry recommended3SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Historical Thinking recommended3
Free Elective3SEEDS: Exploration 4 - Literary and Artistic Analysis recommended3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
KORE 2013Major Elective3
Korean Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective1Free Elective1
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Concentration Elective3WLNC 4693
Major Elective3Concentration Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 12
Total Credits 120