East Asian Languages and Literatures

Learn about some of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world; develop an appreciation for the richness of East Asian literature, philosophy, and art; and learn a language that will grow your job prospects in an increasingly globalized workplace.

Students who study East Asian languages and literatures develop their critical thinking, become global citizens, and develop critical language skills while having fun. Students who develop proficiency in new languages fling open a door of expanded opportunities for their future.

East Asian Languages and Literatures at the UO

Many University of Oregon students currently major or minor in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Sometimes students move across fields and focus on studying the entire region. At the graduate level, the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers programs of study leading to a master's or doctorate, including studies in East Asian Linguistics.

What You Can Do with a Degree in East Asian Languages and Literatures

What kind of career can you get with language skills? Studying East Asian languages and literatures can take you just about anywhere! Our alumni are traveling the world, making an impact in their communities, and building their careers as:

  • Translators
  • Social innovation business consultants
  • Enterprise account managers
  • Associate research analysts
  • Project coordinators
  • Acupuncturists
  • Senior investigation specialists
Liz Haar

How East Asian Languages and Literatures Helps Your Career

"Getting the opportunity to do research about Chinese history and culture in Mandarin has opened my world view in a lot of ways. It gives me access to so many different experiences and perspectives that I would never have encountered otherwise."

—Liz Haar, Chinese and linguistics major, '25

Faculty and students pose for group photo

Learn from Experts in the Field

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures is home to diverse opportunities for research, scholarship, and mentorship. Our faculty’s research and teaching interests cover the major fields, genres, and chronological divisions of Chinese and Japanese literatures, film, and cultural studies, as well as modern Korean studies.

Temple in Japan

Immerse Yourself in Another Culture

Studying East Asian languages abroad accelerates the development of speaking and comprehension skills while giving students a real-world experience within the culture they’re studying. Students in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures can take advantage of numerous study abroad programs as well as other experiential learning opportunities.

Scholarships and Funding

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures awards multiple scholarships to current undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more about available scholarships and eligibility requirements.

Undergraduate Scholarships 
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students talk through their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising 
Support for Graduate Students

East Asian Languages and Literatures News and Events

EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES, ASIAN STUDIES - Fulbright Scholar and CAS Professor Alisa Freedman is chronicling the rise of women’s scholarship during a five-month trip to Vietnam, where she's helping women professors find their footing in the academic publishing world.
EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES - Using language skills and cultural knowledge to tell stories that will make a difference are among the goals of a new program at the University of Oregon, which recently received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Ten UO researchers and scholars whose work focuses on subjects including digital stewardship, pulmonary hypertension and literature in imperial China have received 2022 Faculty Research Awards.

All news »


History Pub Lecture Series: "Science and the Seafloor: A History of Cabled Observatories on the Juan de Fuca Plate"
Dec9
History Pub Lecture Series: "Science and the Seafloor: A History of Cabled Observatories on the Juan de Fuca Plate" Dec 9 Whirled Pies Downtown
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom)
Dec10
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom) Dec 10 CMAE
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom)
Dec11
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom) Dec 11 Peterson Hall
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom)
Dec11
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom) Dec 11 Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
Physical Chemistry Rotation Talks
Dec12
Physical Chemistry Rotation Talks Dec 12 Pacific Hall
Wrestling Jerusalem: A Film Screening and Communication Conversation with the Artist
Jan9
Wrestling Jerusalem: A Film Screening and Communication Conversation with the Artist Jan 9 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Women in Economics Club
Jan9
Women in Economics Club Jan 9 Allen Hall
Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair
Jan15
Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair Jan 15 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
How to: Interview (Workshop)
Jan21
How to: Interview (Workshop) Jan 21 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Wine Chat: “Accompaniment with Im/migrant Communities”
Jan21
Wine Chat: “Accompaniment with Im/migrant Communities” Jan 21 Capitello Wines

All events »