Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The programme blends sequential, immersive language instruction with courses in literature, intellectual and cultural history, film, translation, and linguistic description and theory. Beginners and advanced students take language sequences (elementary through advanced composition and conversation) that emphasise reading, writing, speaking and listening. Core topical offerings typically include modern and classical literatures of East Asia, literary theory and criticism, comparative cultural studies, and courses in linguistic topics such as phonetics, morphology, syntax, sociolinguistics and field methods as they apply to East Asian languages.

Students choose a combination of required core courses and electives to create an individually tailored course of study. Many undergraduates pursue elective options in related departments — for example anthropology, history, computer science (for computational linguistics), political science or film studies — and may undertake independent research projects. A senior capstone in the form of a research paper or honours thesis is commonly available for students seeking an intensive research experience.

• Language sequences in Chinese, Japanese, and (where offered) Korean — from elementary to advanced levels
• Survey courses in modern and classical East Asian literatures and thought
• Courses in translation, comparative literature, film and visual culture
• Linguistics modules focused on structure, sound systems, language change and sociolinguistics of East Asian languages
• Independent study and senior research or thesis options
• Opportunities for study abroad and exchange with East Asian universities

Entry requirements

Dartmouth admits undergraduates through a selective admissions process that evaluates the whole applicant: academic record, academic recommendations, statement of purpose, and extracurricular involvement. Successful applicants typically demonstrate strength in language study, humanities or social sciences coursework and an ability to engage in close textual and analytical work.

For applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English-language proficiency may be required. Students with prior study of Chinese, Japanese or Korean will normally be placed in an appropriate language level based on placement testing. Specific departmental expectations may include prior coursework in a relevant language or in introductory linguistics for students intending to focus on linguistic research, but beginners in a language are generally welcomed into the elementary sequences.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme pursue a wide range of careers where language skills, intercultural competence and analytic training are valued. Typical career trajectories include:

• Further study and academic research in linguistics, comparative literature, area studies or related fields
• Translation, interpretation and localisation work for publishing, media and technology companies
• Government, diplomacy and international organisations where regional expertise and language ability are essential
• Business and consulting roles with multinational firms, particularly in markets that require East Asian language skills
• Education — teaching at secondary level or language instruction in community and private settings
• Careers in cultural institutions, museums, journalism and cultural production that benefit from deep knowledge of East Asian literatures and societies

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth’s undergraduate focus ensures small classes and direct access to faculty, enabling close mentorship and extensive opportunities for undergraduate research. The College’s liberal‑arts curriculum supports interdisciplinary study, so students can combine language and literary study with linguistics, computer science, history or political science.

Students benefit from Dartmouth’s language resources, faculty expertise in East Asian literatures and linguistics, and institutional support for study abroad and off‑campus programmes in East Asia. Campus resources such as special collections, museum holdings and student organisations focused on East Asian cultures further enrich learning and professional preparation. The Dartmouth environment is well suited to students who want immersive language training accompanied by rigorous critical and theoretical study.