The PhD in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers extensive training in the modern and premodern literatures of China and Japan for students seeking to pursue research and teaching careers at the collegiate level.
For more information, please visit the department website.
Requirements
The PhD in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers specializations in Chinese or Japanese with concentrations in literary and/or cultural studies of either the premodern or modern periods.
The PhD requires a minimum of 45 credits in graduate courses numbered 5000 or above in Chinese or Japanese, and 30 credits of dissertation work beyond the required coursework. Selection of courses should be made in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies in Chinese or Japanese (see the department's Graduate Advising webpage). Academic preparation is expected in both classical and modern language.
Some graduate or advanced undergraduate coursework from related fields may also be included, in accordance with Graduate School rules. Additionally, some coursework completed for the MA degree at CU or other similarly rigorous institutions may count toward the 45 credits required. PhD students may transfer to the department up to 21 hours of acceptable graduate-level credit.
Visit the department's PhD specialization in Chinese and PhD specialization in Japanese webpages for specific requirements, as well as a full list and description of graduate courses offered.
Specialization in Chinese
Select 45 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| CHIN 5010 | Sinological Methods | 3 |
| CHIN 5980 | Practical Issues in Chinese Language Pedagogy | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Readings in Pre-Modern Chinese Literary Theory | ||
| Introduction to Classical Chinese | ||
| Readings in Classical Chinese | ||
| Graduate Academic Writing | ||
| History of Chinese Literature from the Tenth to the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Ancient Literature | ||
| Topics in Ancient Culture | ||
| Chinese Travel Literature: Journeys Within and Without, Real and Imaginary | ||
| Health and Wellbeing in Chinese Literature and Culture | ||
| Medieval Prose | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Early Modern Prose | ||
| Early Modern Fiction | ||
| Topics in Early Modern Culture | ||
| Modern Literature | ||
| Contemporary Literature | ||
| History of Chinese Film | ||
| Topics in Modern and Contemporary Culture | ||
| Topics in Chinese Film | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Other appropriate courses approved by faculty advisor | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| CHIN 8990 | Doctoral Dissertation | 30 |
Specialization in Japanese
Select 45 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JPNS 5010 | Bibliography and Research Methods | 3 |
| JPNS 5150 | Japanese Literary Translation | 3 |
| JPNS 5210 | Classical Prose Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5220 | Waka, Renga, and Haiku | 3 |
| JPNS 5280 | Topics in Classical Japanese Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5310 | Advanced Classical Japanese 1 | 3 |
| JPNS 5320 | Advanced Classical Japanese 2 | 3 |
| JPNS 5410 | Medieval Prose Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5420 | Japanese Buddhism and Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5480 | Topics in Medieval Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5620 | Early Modern Japanese Literature and Culture | 3 |
| JPNS 5810 | Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5820 | Contemporary Japanese Literature | 3 |
| JPNS 5830 | Readings in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Thought and Culture | 3 |
| JPNS 5900 | Independent Study | 1-6 |
| JPNS 5920 | Topics in Modern Literature and Culture | 3 |
| JPNS 5980 | Practical Issues in Japanese Language Pedagogy | 1 |
| JPNS 6900 | Japanese Independent Study | 1-6 |
| Other appropriate courses approved by faculty advisor | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| JPNS 8990 | Doctoral Dissertation | 30 |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program in Chinese/Japanese, students will be able to:
- Read literary and historical texts in classical Chinese/classical Japanese.
- Demonstrate familiarity with core theoretical frameworks and research methodologies utilized within the discipline.
- Demonstrate expertise in the canon of Chinese/Japanese literature and demonstrate the ability to synthesize arguments through academic writing.
- Effectively communicate and present research to academic and public audiences in both written and oral form according to the scholarly conventions of our field.
- Design and conduct high-quality original research that advances knowledge in our field.