Minor Requirements: Department of Asian Languages and Cultures

Minor Requirements

If you have questions or would like to declare one of our minors, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures offers two minors, the Advanced Asian Languages Minor (formerly the Asian Languages Minor) and the Asian Humanities Minor. The Advanced Asian Languages Minor emphasizes language study while also allowing students to learn more about the culture of their area of linguistic focus (Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, or Korean) by taking two humanities courses. The Asian Humanities Minor is designed for students who do not require additional language training but who wish to explore interdisciplinary perspectives on Asian humanities. Both minors require the completion of 7 units.

ADVANCED Asian Languages Minor (7 UNITS)

The Advanced Asian Languages Minor is designed for students who wish to gain a high level of proficiency in an Asian language. The requirements are as follows:

Prerequisites: first and second year language courses in area of focus (or equivalent)

Required Language Courses (5 units):
- 3 courses in area of focus (Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, Korean) at the third-year level
- 2 courses in the same language at the fourth-year level

Required Humanities Courses (2 units):
- 2 ASIAN_LC courses in area of focus (China, Japan, Korea, South Asia)

Students may apply for but are not guaranteed credit towards the language requirement for courses taken abroad. Study abroad credits cannot, however, be counted towards the Humanities Courses requirement. Students who plan to study abroad should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before they leave Northwestern.

Asian Humanities Minor (7 units)

The Asian Humanities Minor is designed for students who do not require or are unable to pursue extensive language training, but who still wish to make a serious commitment to the study of Asian cultures. Students may choose, in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, either a geographic area of focus (China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, or Comparative) or a thematic concentration (literary studies, film, media, etc.) to provide focus and depth to their course of study. The requirements are as follows:

Prerequisites: None

Required Humanities Courses (7 units):
- 7 ASIAN_LC courses chosen in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies
  - At least 3 must be at the 300-level
  - At most 2 may be relevant courses from outside the department selected in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies

Pending departmental review of relevant course materials and the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, up to 2 courses taken while studying abroad may be counted toward the Asian Humanities Minor. Students who plan to study abroad should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before leaving Northwestern.