East Asian Studies (PhD)

Department Website

Program Description

The Department of East Asian Studies at New York University offers courses on China, Japan and Korea. The focus of the undergraduate program is primarily on language, history and literature and the way in which these three civilizations have interacted with the Western world to reconstitute received cultures into modern societies. By intensive study of Asian culture, the student is encouraged to reflect on the global interrelatedness of human society. At present, three language sequences are offered: a six-semester Chinese language sequence, a six-semester Japanese language sequence, and a six-semester Korean language sequence. Fourth-year study is also offered in all three languages. In addition, various courses in Asian culture are offered in the Program in East Asian Studies, while courses in history, politics, and art are available in other departments.

We also offer a doctoral and master’s program in East Asian Culture. The graduate program is concerned with culture, media, and questions of representation as they relate to the formation of East Asian societies such as China, Japan and Korea in modern times. Rather than pursue the practice of area studies in the traditional sense, the program is committed to a critical and, whenever possible interdisciplinary examination of East Asia’s modernity in a global configuration. While the program will emphasize how received pasts interact in the modern present of these societies, the principal emphasis will be on the question of modernity in search of its own historicity as both an historical and theoretical problematic.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See East Asian Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Course
EAST-GA 1001	First Year Sem: Intro to Critical Asian Studies	4
Electives
East Asian Studies Electives		36
Other Elective Credits		32
Total Credits		72

¹

Such as directed reading courses and research credits (a maximum of 16 points of research credit or independent studies can be taken over five semesters).

Additional Program Requirements

Language Requirement

In the first year, the student should enroll in two to four language courses toward fulfilling the language requirements. At the end of the first year, the student is required to complete a research paper, based on the two completed first-year seminars, that addresses the theoretical-historical questions concerning the field of East Asian studies. This paper is separate from the term papers required by each course and constitutes a part of the general examination. Two members of the faculty (one of whom is the student’s adviser) grade the examination. In the event of a failed performance, the student is permitted to retake the examination after consultation with his or her adviser.

During the second year of study, the student is also expected to fulfill the language requirements, including the requirement in a second East Asian language and/or a major European language, by signing up for courses offered in Chinese, Japanese or Korean or the selected European language. The bulk of the course work during the second year, however, should concentrate on the chosen field under various specialized “topics” (in Chinese literature, Chinese history, Japanese literature, Japanese visual culture, Korean film, East Asian cinema, etc.) in preparation for the Comprehensive Examination in the student’s third year.

Comprehensive Examination

Course work in the third year is designed to allow the student to renew his or her inquiry in theory and methodology and to explore research areas that are interdisciplinary in nature. By the first half of the third year, the student should have finished all the required courses in East Asian studies. The student is advised to take the Comprehensive Examination in three distinctively different subfields of East Asian studies by the end of the third year. A three-member faculty committee (including the student’s adviser) is formed for each student for their comprehensive exam, qualifying exam (prospectus defense) and dissertation. The student and the adviser decide on the formation of the committee after consultation.

Qualifying Examination

After the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student submits a dissertation prospectus (qualifying exam), which should include a thesis and methodological statement, a preliminary table of contents, a bibliography, etc. The student must pass the oral examination based on his or her prospectus to advance to candidacy.

Dissertation Defense

Finally, all students must write and orally defend a dissertation before their faculty committee plus two additional readers.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
EAST-GA 1001	First Year Sem: Intro to Critical Asian Studies	4
East Asian Studies Elective		4
East Asian Studies Elective		4
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
East Asian Studies Elective		4
East Asian Studies Elective		4
Other Elective Credit		4
	Credits	12
3rd Semester/Term
East Asian Studies Elective		4
East Asian Studies Elective		4
Other Elective Credit		4
	Credits	12
4th Semester/Term
East Asian Studies Elective		4
East Asian Studies Elective		4
Other Elective Credit		4
	Credits	12
5th Semester/Term
East Asian Studies Elective		4
Other Elective Credit		4
Other Elective Credit		4
	Credits	12
6th Semester/Term
Other Elective Credit		4
Other Elective Credit		4
Other Elective Credit		4
	Credits	12
	Total Credits	72

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Acquire an interdisciplinary understanding and critical examination of East Asia within a global configuration. 
2. Gain an understanding of how received pasts-including the early and the early modern eras – interact in the modern present of contemporary societies. 
3. Develop critical awareness of political, institutional and the methodological implications, as well as the historical provenance of both disciplinary-based and area studies inquiry. 

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.