East Asian Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Students who pursue East Asian studies delve deeply into Asia and the Pacific Rim, a thriving region that brims with rich culture, centuries of history and nations that are key global players in the 21st century. Gain perspective, multicultural awareness and critical-reasoning abilities — all essential skills for job success.
Degree Programs
The East Asian studies department offers three majors and minors:
- Chinese, focused on the history, culture and language of China
- Japanese, focused on the history, culture and language of Japan
- East Asian studies, which emphasizes broad exposure to both Chinese and Japanese cultures
See detailed major & minor requirements
Dive into the rich tapestry of East Asia
Each of these majors provides a comprehensive view of the past and present of some of the world's most vibrant regions. With guidance from expert faculty, you'll explore them from many perspectives, including:
- Language
- Literature
- Arts
- History
- Politics
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Science
- Technology
Plan Your East Asian Adventure
Study Abroad
The Department of East Asian Studies participates in numerous nationally renowned programs for study abroad — including our Bucknell in Japan summer program and our yearlong affiliated program at Doshisha University in Kyoto — offering students a variety of ways to study for a semester or a year overseas. We encourage East Asian studies majors to spend their junior year in China or Japan.
Bucknell Grad is New Japan Pro-Wrestling CEO
Outcomes
Harold Meij '86 says he was drawn to Bucknell by the opportunity to pursue the liberal arts as well as professional studies by majoring in Japanese/East Asian studies and business administration. Bucknell also is where he learned to embrace diversity.
"Going to Bucknell gave me a great deal of confidence, and the diversity also served me well — not just the mix of overseas students and people from all over the country, but the range of subjects [offered]," he says.
