Students and faculty studying the languages of East Asian nations now have a department to call their own.
The Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures and Cultures opened its doors this semester after splitting from the former Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, department Chair Anne Kinney said.
"The reasons for the split were both because of practicality and to really have a more focused mission," Kinney said.
She added that an increase in faculty members proficient in East Asian languages as well as high student interest made the split more feasible.
When the University introduced Asian languages, the relatively small faculty size made an independent department impossible, Kinney said. As the department has grown, however, so has the need for an independent Asian languages department, Kinney added.
"Essentially, the Middle East and East Asia do not share a geographical area or a cultural sphere," Kinney said. "For both departments, the benefit is that each program can continue to grow in ways that really support that individual program and there's a more coherent mission and a more cohesive faculty."
As a result of the change, the new department is offering Tibetan, which had previously been taught through the religious studies department, Kinney said. She added that the department has considered having Tibetan and Korean speakers stay in the Shea House.
The new department will also encourage language students to participate in study abroad programs, Kinney said.
One location where students can fulfill major coursework is the University's program in Shanghai, according to program director Hsin-hsin Liang.
Students spend nine weeks in total immersion at Shanghai's East China Normal University, attending class Monday through Friday, Liang said. She added that students have about a week to visit Beijing and the historical capital city of Xi'an.
"It's a well-balanced study abroad program that balances language study with cultural immersion," Chinese outreach program director Miao-fen Tseng said.
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