Undergraduate Programs

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC) at UC Berkeley offers a world-class education in the languages, literatures, and cultures of East Asia. Our curriculum integrates linguistic training with the humanistic study of historical and cultural contexts, equipping students with essential skills in critical thinking, global awareness, and analytical writing.

Our Programs

We offer five distinct majors and four minors. Explore our program pages to view specific course requirements:

Undergraduate Majors:

• Chinese Language and Culture Major
• Japanese Language and Culture Major
• Korean Language and Culture Major
• East Asian Religion, Thought & Culture Major
• East Asian Humanities Major - (Can be completed entirely in English — no language required!)

Undergraduate Minors:

• Chinese Minor
• Japanese Minor
• Korean Minor
• Tibetan Minor

Why Major in EALC?

Whether your focus is language mastery or cultural fluency, our department caters to diverse academic paths:

• Language & Culture Tracks: Four of our majors provide advanced training in speaking, reading, and writing modern languages (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), alongside a foundation in classical literary traditions.
• Humanities Track: The East Asian Humanities major allows you to study the visual, literary, religious, and philosophical traditions of the region comparatively, using English-translated texts.

Double Majors:

A Perfect Fit for double majors because our curriculum is highly flexible, many EALC students choose to double major. EALC pairs exceptionally well with disciplines across campus, including:

• STEM & Business: Computer Science, Haas Business, Applied Mathematics, MCB, and Geophysics.
• Social Sciences: Economics, Political Economy, Anthropology, Psychology, and Urban Studies.
• Arts & Humanities: English, Comparative Literature, Art History, Rhetoric, and Theater Arts.

Quick Links & Resources

• Course Equivalency / Articulation: If you have taken a course outside of the EALC department (such as another department, study abroad or at another institution) and want to request that it count toward your major/minor, please submit a Major Course Articulation Request (Google Form).
• Stay Connected: Sign up for the EALC Undergraduate Email List to receive announcements about events, department news, and exclusive campus opportunities.
• Language Placement and Proficiency: Student seeking information language placement or proficiency can find details on our Language Exams website. Questions about language exams can be directed to Presi Diaz (diaz.mp@berkeley.edu)
• Enrollment Issues: Students who are having difficulty enrolling in courses offered by EALC can contact Presi Diaz (diaz.mp@berkeley.edu) for support.