The College of Wooster

What you'll study

The programme provides a blend of core philosophy training and specialised study of Chinese intellectual traditions. You will read and analyse primary texts in translation and, where possible, in the original language; study major schools such as Confucianism, Daoism and Chinese Buddhist thought; and examine modern and contemporary Chinese philosophical developments.

• Core philosophy modules: logic and critical thinking, ethics, epistemology, history of Western philosophy, and theory of knowledge to give grounding in analytical methods.
• Chinese philosophy modules: classical Confucian texts, Daoist writings (including Dao de jing and Zhuangzi), Buddhist translations and the reception of Buddhist ideas in China, and late-imperial and modern Chinese intellectual history.
• Language and culture: Mandarin language courses at progressive levels, classical Chinese reading, Chinese literary and cultural history, and courses on religion, ritual and aesthetics in East Asia.
• Comparative and topical courses: comparative ethics, political philosophy in East Asia, philosophy of language and translation, and contemporary Chinese social and political thought.
• Independent research: a substantial senior research project or thesis supervised by faculty — Wooster’s mentored independent study model is central, with students designing original projects that often combine philosophical analysis with language-based source work.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is seminar-based with small class sizes, close faculty mentorship and a mix of readings, presentations, essays and oral examinations. Language competence and original-text engagement are emphasised in upper-level courses and the capstone research project.

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme is through The College of Wooster’s standard undergraduate entry process. Successful applicants typically demonstrate strong academic performance in secondary school, particularly in humanities and language subjects, and show clear evidence of writing and critical-reasoning ability.

• Recommended preparation: coursework in English, history, languages or social sciences; familiarity with philosophical writing is helpful but not required.
• Language readiness: an interest in and willingness to undertake Mandarin study is expected for full participation in the concentration; prior study of Chinese is beneficial but not essential.
• Personal qualities: intellectual curiosity, ability to conduct independent research, and readiness to engage in close textual analysis and seminar discussion.

Career prospects

Graduates develop strong analytical writing, cross-cultural communication and research skills valued across many sectors. The programme prepares students for both further study and a range of careers.

• Academic and postgraduate study: philosophy, East Asian studies, linguistics, religious studies, or law.
• International and public service: diplomacy, international NGOs, cultural institutions and public policy roles concerned with East Asia.
• Business and professional fields: roles in international business, consulting, translation and localisation, human resources, and roles requiring strong intercultural awareness.
• Education and publishing: secondary and tertiary teaching, curriculum development, editing and publishing focused on humanities and regional studies.

Why study at The College of Wooster

The College of Wooster is a small liberal-arts institution known for personalized teaching and a strong mentored independent study programme that enables students to undertake substantial senior research projects under close faculty supervision. The campus supports interdisciplinary work between philosophy, Asian studies and language departments, while small seminars foster close discussion and intensive textual work.

• Mentored independent study: students complete a major research thesis, gaining hands-on experience in primary-source research and scholarly argumentation.
• Small classes and faculty access: close mentorship from faculty with expertise in philosophy and East Asian studies.
• Study abroad and internships: opportunities to study in China, Taiwan or other East Asian contexts and to undertake internships that enhance language proficiency and cultural competence.
• Interdisciplinary resources: collaboration with language instructors, history and religious-studies faculty to support well-rounded understanding of Chinese culture and thought.