Dartmouth College

What you'll study

This programme is built around the core methods of analytic and historical philosophy together with focused study of Chinese intellectual traditions and language. You will take foundation courses in logic, ethics, epistemology and the history of philosophy alongside courses dedicated to Chinese philosophy and culture — for example, introductions to Confucianism, Daoist thought, Buddhist philosophy in East Asia, and modern Chinese intellectual history.

• Introductory philosophy modules: logic and critical reasoning, introduction to moral and political philosophy, history of Western philosophy.
• Chinese philosophy modules: readings in early Chinese texts (Analects, Mencius, Dao De Jing), Chinese Buddhist texts and commentarial traditions, Neo-Confucianism, and modern Chinese political and philosophical thought.
• Language and textual studies: progressive Chinese language courses (classical and modern where available), classical Chinese reading seminars, and courses on philology and hermeneutics to support direct engagement with primary sources.
• Methodology and comparative work: seminars on comparative philosophy, philosophy of religion in East Asia, and courses that pair Western philosophical concepts with Chinese thinkers to develop cross-cultural analytic skills.
• Independent research: senior seminars and a capstone project or senior thesis that require sustained research, often in translation and original-language sources, supervised by faculty from both Philosophy and Asian/Chinese Studies areas.

The programme emphasises small-group seminars, close faculty mentoring, and opportunities to pursue interdisciplinary electives in history, religious studies, linguistics and political science to contextualise philosophical themes within Chinese culture. Study-abroad options and immersion programmes can be used to deepen language proficiency and regional knowledge.

Entry requirements

Applicants to Dartmouth apply through the standard undergraduate admissions process. Successful candidates typically demonstrate strong academic achievement across a broad secondary-school curriculum with evidence of aptitude in humanities and languages. Typical application materials include school transcripts, teacher recommendations, a personal statement, and standardised test information if submitted.

• Academic preparation: high-school coursework in humanities, history and languages is helpful; background in introductory philosophy is advantageous but not always required.
• Language ability: prior study of Chinese is beneficial for rapid progress; beginners with a demonstrable commitment to language learning are also welcome.
• For international students: proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) may be required if applicable, and strong academic credentials from secondary education systems outside the United States.
• Major declaration: students normally declare a major within Dartmouth’s established timeline for concentration declaration; the programme encourages early consultation with faculty advisers to plan language and methodological courses.

Career prospects

Graduates develop analytic, linguistic and cross-cultural skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers. Common career paths include:

• Academia and research — further study in philosophy, religious studies, Asian studies, or related fields leading to teaching and scholarship.
• Law, public policy and international affairs — roles that value rigorous argumentation, ethical reasoning and regional expertise.
• Translation, publishing and media — work involving textual interpretation, editing and cultural communication.
• Education and cultural institutions — museum work, cultural heritage, and language teaching.
• Business and consulting — positions that require critical thinking, negotiation skills and an ability to navigate cross-cultural environments.

Because the programme combines language competence with philosophical training, graduates are particularly well placed for roles that require both interpretive subtlety and clear analytic expression.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers a liberal-arts environment with small seminars and close faculty-student interaction that are well suited to the intensive textual and philosophical study required for Chinese philosophy and culture. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across Philosophy, Asian Studies, Religious Studies and History, and from language instruction that supports both modern and classical Chinese.

• Close mentorship: faculty supervision for senior theses and research projects, enabling personalised intellectual development.
• Resources: access to special collections, language labs and interdisciplinary centres that support East Asian research and study-abroad advising.
• Study-abroad and immersion: institutional links and programmes that allow students to deepen language skills and cultural understanding through residence in Chinese-speaking regions.
• Active intellectual community: frequent colloquia, visiting scholars and student seminars that bring contemporary debates in Chinese and comparative philosophy to campus.

Overall, Dartmouth’s combination of small-group teaching, interdisciplinary options and language training makes it a strong place to pursue concentrated work at the intersection of philosophy and Chinese cultural traditions.