THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE PACIFIC RIM as an economic and technological giant in world affairs has spurred a parallel interest in the region's languages and people. Chinese and Japanese have become two of the most widely taught foreign languages in the United States, critical to a wide range of professions and interests from politics and diplomacy to business, education and cutting-edge technology. But the interest extends beyond purely practical concerns to a growing fascination with the unique play of tradition and innovation, ritual and creativity in the cultures of Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and Japan. Balancing past and future, they have emerged as both partners and competitors in a shifting global order.
The goal of Hamilton's East Asian Languages and Literatures Department is to introduce students to the region's changing identity while emphasizing language proficiency in Chinese and Japanese.More ...
Academic Program
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
The Associated Colleges in China (ACC) Program, a consortium of several prestigious liberal arts colleges adminstered by the East Asian Languages and Literatures Department, provides summer, fall and spring studies in Beijing (hosted by the Capital University of Economics and Business) with intensive coursework through individualized instructions with a high level of participation and interaction. The courses are taught entirely in Chinese and encompass topics including advanced language, Chinese politics, society, economics, religion, art, folklore and literature. Unique features and activities of the program include the language pledge (speaking Chinese only), language practicum (individual projects conducted with local citizens), Chinese host families, Chinese language table, field trips outside of Beijing and extracurricular activities such as Taichi, Chinese food cooking, Chinese calligraphy, etc.
Students of Chinese are eligible for the ACC program. Students of Japanese have the opportunity to study abroad through such programs as Kyoto Center for Japanese Language (Kyoto), CIEE-Sophia University (Tokyo) and Nanzan University (Nagoya).
THE SENIOR PROGRAM
The Senior Program in Chinese is the culminating intellectual experience at Hamilton, in which the cultural experience in China, the language proficiency and insights gained in the first three years are combined and integrated. The centerpiece of the Chinese concentration is the senior project. The one semester project requires the concentrators to finish and present a work of scholarship completely in Chinese and/or using substantial materials in the original language. Chinese majors work closely with a faculty member(s) each week and during two group presentations during the semester, including a final defense.
More ...
RESOURCES
While Hamilton students have full access to a modern language laboratory, an audiovisual center, a recording studio and Hamilton on-line system, the East Asian Languages and Literature Department provides complete multimedia, interactive, digital versions of the Chinese language courses for all levels in the language laboratory. Further, professors, instructors and teaching fellows in the department are native speakers of the Chinese and Japanese languages.
The department sponsors weekly Chinese and Japanese language tables, invited talks and lectures in Chinese and Japanese literatures and cultures, Chinese and Japanese movie series, an Asian New Year celebration and annual study tour to China.
The East Asian Languages and Literatures Department offers a unique three-in-one opportunity in Chinese studies: 1) individualized language classes with a multimedia-approach using digital textbooks, computerized listening/speaking exercises, homework and quizzes (along with courses in Chinese culture, literature, film and classical Chinese); 2) a Chinese concentration emphasizing the work in the original language as key to understanding the heritage, culture and current affairs of China; and 3) an off-campus study abroad opportunity in Beijing with the Associated Colleges in China program. The three-in-one in Chinese studies aims to prepare students for future studies in gradate schools and professional careers in international trade, government services, diplomacy, private business, journalism and other related fields.
Teaching Leader
As a pioneer of adopting the multimedia approach in the Chinese language teaching in 1993, the department initiated a biennial International Conference on Technology and Chinese Language Teaching in the 21 Century in 2000, and has ever since hosted and co-sponsored four TCLT conferences providing a great opportunity for Chinese students to practice the language and to experience international events by participating the conference and talking to the distinguished speakers.
Close Interactions
In the best liberal arts tradition, classes are small and interactive, with one-to-one engagement with teachers. Hamilton's emphasis on close student-faculty relationships is especially important in language-based programs, where continual engagement and participation are critical to learning.
Endless Possibilities
With its emphasis on language proficiency and an understanding of contemporary East Asian culture, the program is excellent training for further studies in graduate school as well as professional careers in international trade, government service, diplomacy, private business, education, journalism and related fields.
The East Asian Languages and Literatures Department offers a unique three-in-one opportunity in Chinese studies: 1) individualized language classes with a multimedia-approach using digital textbooks, computerized listening/speaking exercises, homework and quizzes (along with courses in Chinese culture, literature, film and classical Chinese); 2) a Chinese concentration emphasizing the work in the original language as key to understanding the heritage, culture and current affairs of China; and 3) an off-campus study abroad opportunity in Beijing with the Associated Colleges in China program. The three-in-one in Chinese studies aims to prepare students for future studies in gradate schools and professional careers in international trade, government services, diplomacy, private business, journalism and other related fields.
Teaching Leader
As a pioneer of adopting the multimedia approach in the Chinese language teaching in 1993, the department initiated a biennial International Conference on Technology and Chinese Language Teaching in the 21 Century in 2000, and has ever since hosted and co-sponsored four TCLT conferences providing a great opportunity for Chinese students to practice the language and to experience international events by participating the conference and talking to the distinguished speakers.
Close Interactions
In the best liberal arts tradition, classes are small and interactive, with one-to-one engagement with teachers. Hamilton's emphasis on close student-faculty relationships is especially important in language-based programs, where continual engagement and participation are critical to learning.
Endless Possibilities
With its emphasis on language proficiency and an understanding of contemporary East Asian culture, the program is excellent training for further studies in graduate school as well as professional careers in international trade, government service, diplomacy, private business, education, journalism and related fields.
The East Asian Languages and Literatures Department offers a unique three-in-one opportunity in Chinese studies: 1) individualized language classes with a multimedia-approach using digital textbooks, computerized listening/speaking exercises, homework and quizzes (along with courses in Chinese culture, literature, film and classical Chinese); 2) a Chinese concentration emphasizing the work in the original language as key to understanding the heritage, culture and current affairs of China; and 3) an off-campus study abroad opportunity in Beijing with the Associated Colleges in China program. The three-in-one in Chinese studies aims to prepare students for future studies in gradate schools and professional careers in international trade, government services, diplomacy, private business, journalism and other related fields.
Teaching Leader
As a pioneer of adopting the multimedia approach in the Chinese language teaching in 1993, the department initiated a biennial International Conference on Technology and Chinese Language Teaching in the 21 Century in 2000, and has ever since hosted and co-sponsored four TCLT conferences providing a great opportunity for Chinese students to practice the language and to experience international events by participating the conference and talking to the distinguished speakers.
Close Interactions
In the best liberal arts tradition, classes are small and interactive, with one-to-one engagement with teachers. Hamilton's emphasis on close student-faculty relationships is especially important in language-based programs, where continual engagement and participation are critical to learning.
Endless Possibilities
With its emphasis on language proficiency and an understanding of contemporary East Asian culture, the program is excellent training for further studies in graduate school as well as professional careers in international trade, government service, diplomacy, private business, education, journalism and related fields.
The East Asian Languages and Literatures Department offers a unique three-in-one opportunity in Chinese studies: 1) individualized language classes with a multimedia-approach using digital textbooks, computerized listening/speaking exercises, homework and quizzes (along with courses in Chinese culture, literature, film and classical Chinese); 2) a Chinese concentration emphasizing the work in the original language as key to understanding the heritage, culture and current affairs of China; and 3) an off-campus study abroad opportunity in Beijing with the Associated Colleges in China program. The three-in-one in Chinese studies aims to prepare students for future studies in gradate schools and professional careers in international trade, government services, diplomacy, private business, journalism and other related fields.
Teaching Leader
As a pioneer of adopting the multimedia approach in the Chinese language teaching in 1993, the department initiated a biennial International Conference on Technology and Chinese Language Teaching in the 21 Century in 2000, and has ever since hosted and co-sponsored four TCLT conferences providing a great opportunity for Chinese students to practice the language and to experience international events by participating the conference and talking to the distinguished speakers.
Close Interactions
In the best liberal arts tradition, classes are small and interactive, with one-to-one engagement with teachers. Hamilton's emphasis on close student-faculty relationships is especially important in language-based programs, where continual engagement and participation are critical to learning.
Endless Possibilities
With its emphasis on language proficiency and an understanding of contemporary East Asian culture, the program is excellent training for further studies in graduate school as well as professional careers in international trade, government service, diplomacy, private business, education, journalism and related fields.
AFTER HAMILTON
Hamilton graduates who concentrated in East Asian Languages and Literatures are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:
Associate, New Asia Partners Investment Holdings Limited
Director of International Outreach, Mount Holyoke College
Owner, Council on International Educational Exchange
Vice President, Capital Intro-Americas, Merrill Lynch Global Markets & Investment Banking
