Explore a coherent study of cultures, texts and languages that have existed for more than three thousand years, while simultaneously evaluating the current social, political and economic climate of these regions.

By studying Chinese or Japanese, you will develop skills that go beyond the ability to simply speak or read another language. Your mind will open to an awareness that prepares you to adapt and communicate in an ever-evolving world. Our Chinese and Japanese programs extend well beyond the scope of Asia as you will immerse yourself in the policy, sustainability, art and history (to name a few!) of a cultural region within a global context.

  • Discovering the history and culture of international regions
  • Comparing and contrasting the old world with the modern world
  • Celebrating traditions, cultures and languages that differ from your own
  • Exploring global perspectives
  • Mastering your own understanding of Asian languages
  • Study abroad opportunities

Life After Lawrence

Lawrentians can enjoy careers in...

International finance, education (ESL, secondary and higher ed), translation, diplomacy, international logistics coordination, journalism and consulting

Recent employers include...

Axxis, Apple, DePauw University, InsideClimate News, OMNNI Associates, Optum, University of Oxford, Wells Fargo, World Learning, 360i

Lawrentians can earn advanced degrees in…

International relations, Chinese, Japanese, economics, development, business administration, law

At places like...

University of Oxford, Vanderbilt University, University of Washington

Take an epic journey with Sustainable China.

Spend a 10-week fall term course called Sustainable China about the sustainability, climate and culture of China. Following that term, take a class field trip of epic proportions to China for a 3-week December term.

Walk the walk, talk the talk during immersive language retreats.

Discover for an entire weekend at Lawrence’s beautiful northern campus, Björklunden, immersing yourself in the language you are studying. The shores of Lake Michigan will be the background as you spend 48+ hours in the Bjork lodge communicating and engaging with fellow students in Chinese or Japanese.

Interact with important artifacts.

Lawrence’s broad and deep collection of Japanese woodblock prints at the Wriston Art Galleries includes a wide range of 17th to 20th century ukiyo-e artists like Chikanobu, Keisai Eisen, Hasui Kawase, Torii Kiyonaga, Toyohara Kunichika, Kunisada, Shiro Kasamatsu, Ohara Shoson, Utagawa Toyokuni, and Yoshida Hiroshi.

Explore and expand your horizons.

Lawrence's breadth and depth of course offerings allow you to not only study, speak and develop confidence with language, but also gain knowledge in other areas such as Chinese Traditional Literature and Thought, Modern Chinese Literature and Cinema in Translation and Postmodern Japanese Literature and Culture.

Components of the Major

  • Chinese major

  • Beginning Chinese I & II
  • Beginning Intermediate Chinese
  • Intermediate Chinese I & II
  • Advanced Intermediate Chinese
  • Three of the following literature and linguistics courses, taught in translation:
    Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture; Introduction to East Asian Linguistics; Modern Chinese Literature and Cinema in Translation; History of the Chinese Language; Traditional Chinese Literature & Thought.
  • One course in Chinese culture, taught in English
  • Advanced Communicative Chinese
  • Advanced Readings in Chinese
  • Tutorial Studies or Internship in Chinese
  • One senior-level independent study

  • Japanese minor

  • Beginning Japanese I & II
  • Beginning Intermediate Japanese
  • Intermediate Japanese I & II
  • One advanced literature course from:
    Survey of Premodern Japanese Literature and Culture; Survey of Modern Japanese Literature and Film; History of the Japanese Language; Advanced Communicative Japanese; Tutorial Studies/Directed Study/Internship/Independent Study in Japanese
  • Exit proficiency interview

Course descriptions and more courses

The Chandler Senior Experience

A senior-level one-term independent study culminating in the completion of a substantial paper or project derived from previous coursework in the discipline or related fields or field experience in consultation with department faculty. If you are sufficiently advanced in your Chinese language skills we will encourage you to use some Chinese language sources in carrying out your research.
 

Recent Senior Experiences include:

 

An Analysis of Chinese Practices of Financial Management

Lives of Sustenance Farmers, Migrant Workers and Individuals of Minority Ethnic Groups in Southwest China
 

Delayed Response Jokes and the Pun of Chinese Humor

Phonetic Analysis of Mandarin Pop Singers’ Initial Consonants and Sociolinguistic Study
 

Creative Writing in Chinese: Nirvana High

This Is Lawrence - The Traveling Classroom - Sustainable China
The Traveling Classroom - Sustainable China
The Lawrence Minute - Language Immersion Weekend
Language Immersion Weekend

Faculty

Chair(s)
Kuo-ming Sung (chair)
  • Akimi Adler
     
    Instructor of Japanese
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6662
    Campus Address: Main Hall Room 412 Chinese and Japanese
    Years at Lawrence: -
  • Yu-Lin Chiu
    Yu-Lin Chiu Profile Picture
    Schmidt Fellow and Instructor of Chinese
    Campus Phone: 920-832-7186
    Education: Taipei Municipal University of Education, B.E.; University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.A.
    Interests: Generative linguistics, Chinese linguistics, syntax and phonology interface
    Campus Address: Main Hall Room 101 Chinese and Japanese
    Years at Lawrence: 2012-
  • Yoshiaki Makita
    Yoshiaki Makita Profile Picture
    Instructor of Japanese
    Campus Phone: 920-832-7262
    Campus Address: Main Hall Room 101 Chinese and Japanese
    Years at Lawrence: -
  • Kuo-ming Sung
     
    Associate Professor of Chinese and Linguistics
    Campus Phone: 920-832-6709
    Education: National Taiwan University, B.A.; University of California-Los Angeles, M.A., C. Phil., Ph.D.
    Interests: generative linguistics, comparative syntax, language pedagogy
    Campus Address: Main Hall Room 323 Chinese and Japanese
    Years at Lawrence: 1994-
  • Matty Wegehaupt
    Matty Wegehaupt Profile Picture
    Instructor of Gender Studies
    Campus Phone: 920-832-7181
    Education: University of Wisconsin, B.A.; University of California, M.A.; University of Michigan, M.A.
    Interests: East Asian ancient and contemporary history, literature, and religion - with a focus on China and the Koreas. Ruism, Buddhism, Daoism, and other thought/practice in ancient East Asia. Anti-imperialism
    Campus Address: Memorial Hall Room 102 Dean of Faculty Office
    Years at Lawrence: 2008-