PhD in Asian Cultures and Languages
General Information
The PhD in Asian Cultures and Languages requires at least 30 semester hours beyond coursework required for the Masters degree, successful completion of qualifying exams, and a dissertation. Students admitted to the PhD program in Asian Cultures and Languages are interested a career in scholarly research or university teaching. A Masters degree is required for admission to the PhD program in Asian Cultures and Languages. Students holding a Bachelors degree are admitted at the Masters level.
Specialization in East Asia: Students who plan to specialize in East Asia normally have a Masters of Arts in Chinese or Japanese language and literature or an area studies degree with a concentration in East Asia. The applicant must also have demonstrated ability to use Chinese or Japanese sources in research.
Specialization in South Asia: Students who plan to specialize in South Asia should have a Master of Arts in area studies or a related discipline that includes significant coursework in a relevant South Asian language.
Requirements for the PhD in Asian Cultures and Languages
The following information is effective as of the 2011-2013 Graduate Catalog. Every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of this information. In the event of discrepancy between this information and the Graduate Catalog, the Graduate Catalog takes precedence.
The PhD in Asian Cultures and Languages requires at least 30 semester hours beyond coursework required for the Masters degree, plus a dissertation. The student must complete 15 hours of coursework for one major area of specialization, nine hours in a minor area of specialization, and six hours in theory and methodology related to the major and/or minor area(s). Competency in at least one modern foreign language that will be used in research is required. Areas of specialization must be approved by the Graduate Adviser. The minor must be a different topic than the major; a student may have a secondary language or a relevant graduate portfolio program as his/her minor. At least five courses are required for the major area, at least three courses are required in the minor, and at least two courses in theory and methodology.
Sample Degree Plans
Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the student must take comprehensive examinations in his or her area of specialization and demonstrate research-level proficiency in the language(s) of their field. Normally, students take their comprehensive examination, including an oral defense, in the third or fourth semester of the PhD phase of the Asian Cultures and Languages program.
Language Requirements
Each student must demonstrate advanced ability in the language or languages of their primary specialization and reading ability in at least one modern research language. Students are strongly encouraged to achieve advanced competence in a second Asian language in addition to the language of their area of specialization. Specific language requirements vary depending on the student's field and should be defined in consultation with the Graduate Adviser and the faculty in the student's principal area.
