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Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Tibetan)

The Department of Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures (REALC) is an interdisciplinary department dedicated to the study of languages and cultures in the geographic continuum from Eastern Europe through Eastern Asia. Our four concentrations are on the Russian Federation, the largest country spatially on the globe; China, the most populous country; Japan, the world's second-largest economy; and Korea, one of the world’s fastest growing economies. The region covered by REALC plays an increasingly critical role in global dynamics, and the department's goal is to prepare students for the complex realities of the twenty-first century. Departmental offerings bridge East and West, and include the study of the languages, linguistics, and cultures of the region; and the interrelationship of its literatures to the other arts, philosophy, religion, and the social sciences. We offer introductory through advanced classes in Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language as well as an array of courses taught in English to address the interests of a broader student audience. While REALC courses focus on some of the oldest civilizations in the world, the department houses classroom facilities that are equipped with the latest technology. Instructors make use of a range of media such as real-time television broadcasts from abroad, the Internet, and videoconferencing. This enables REALC to host interactive exchange with students and scholars in Russia and East Asia. The department sponsors various exciting and challenging study abroad programs, and special internship opportunities both overseas and in the Atlanta area. A wide variety of films, guest speakers, and special cultural events accompany our course work. REALC participates in the interdepartmental Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES) and the East Asian Studies Program (EASP), and also collaborates extensively with other departments and programs, including Linguistics, Comparative Literature, Art History, Film Studies, the Institute of Liberal Arts, Women's Studies, Theater, Music, History, and Religion. REALC courses are recommended for majors in the humanities as well as for students interested in developing a base upon which to understand international and global issues, Pacific Rim studies, and East-West relations. As dynamics become more internationalized and globalized, employers increasingly consider foreign language and experience of other cultures to be distinctive assets. REALC courses and programs offer structured, supportive opportunities for students to acquire such skills. Students with a background in Russian and East Asian languages and cultures go on to international careers, to graduate studies, or to programs in law, business, public health, or medicine. Because new courses continually are being added, please check the departmental website (www.realc.emory.edu) or call the department at 404.727.6427 for updated offerings. Also, students should contact the department for updated information about major and minor requirements and study abroad opportunities.

Concentrations

Majors

Minors

Faculty

Chair/Director: Juliette Apkarian

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Juliette Apkarian

Core Faculty

Courses

Russian and East European Studies 300-Level Courses

Russian and East European Studies 400-Level Courses

East Asian Studies 100-Level Courses

EAS 190: Freshmen Seminar

East Asian Studies 200-Level Courses

East Asian Studies 300-Level Courses

East Asian Studies 400-Level Courses

Chinese 100-Level Courses

Chinese 200-Level Courses

Chinese 300-Level Courses

Chinese 400-Level Courses

Japanese 100-Level Courses

Japanese 200-Level Courses

Japanese 300-Level Courses

Japanese 400-Level Courses

Korean 100-Level Courses

Korean 200-Level Courses

Korean 300-Level Courses

Russian 100-Level Courses

Russian 200-Level Courses

Russian 400-Level Courses

Programs

Honors Program

See “Honors Program” under the curriculum section of the catalog and consult the department for further details.

In addition to the College requirements for eligibility, students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average in course work in REALC and demonstrate linguistic ability (to be determined by a reading exam) to conduct research in primary sources. Eligible students will select a thesis adviser approved by the department's honor adviser. To complete the Honors program in Chinese the student will enroll in a two-semester Honors course, CHN 495A and CHN 495B/WR, for eight credits. The fall semester will be spent exploring issues and research materials for the Honors thesis. In spring, upon approval of the thesis advisor, students will be expected to write the thesis. With the approval of the Honors advisor students are expected to enroll in a senior seminar course in either REALC or another appropriate department that would complement and support the thesis. Each thesis must be completed in the spring and defended before a committee consisting of the student's advisor, faculty member(s) from REALC and one faculty member from outside the department and approved by the Honors advisor

Outstanding students majoring in Japanese may apply to participate in the Honors Program. To be eligible, students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average in their REALC course work. Eligible students will select a thesis advisor approved by the program's honors adviser. Honors students are required to enroll in a two-semester honors course, JPN 495A and JPN 495B/WR for eight credits. The fall semester course helps students prepare to write their theses, which they complete in the spring semester. The thesis must be defended before a committee consisting of the student's advisor, faculty member(s) from REALC and one faculty member from outside the department as approved by the Honors Advisor.

Outstanding students majoring in Russian may apply to participate in the Honors Program. To be eligible, students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average in their REALC course work. Eligible students will select a thesis adviser approved by the program's honors adviser. Honors students are required to enroll in a two-semester honors course, RUSS 495A and RUSS 495B/WR for eight credits. The fall semester course helps students prepare to write their theses, which they complete in the spring semester. The thesis must be defended before a committee consisting of the student's adviser, faculty member(s) from REALC and one faculty member from outside the department as approved by the honors adviser.

General Honors Program information.

Study Abroad

Emory-approved semester study abroad programs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, and Harbin, the People's Republic of China; and in Taipei, Taiwan, at Kansai Gaidai University, Kwansei Gakuin University, and the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies in Japan; in Moscow, Voronezh, Yaroslavl', and Irkutsk, the Russian Federation; and at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Summer programs are available in Beijing, China; Tokyo, Hakodate and Kanazawa, Japan; and in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. Other study abroad options, including academic year programs, also are available. For updated information about study abroad, contact the department at 404.727.6427 or Emory's Center for International Programs Abroad (CIPA) 404.727.2711.

General Study Abroad information.

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