Basic Requirements: 12-13 half-courses
The Double Concentration in East Asian Studies facilitates in-depth, structured coursework in EAS and another department. It allows students to pursue two unrelated fields without writing a thesis that engages both topics. The coursework between the two concentrations must not substantially overlap. Requirements for a Double Concentration in East Asian Studies are identical to those of an Honors or Non-Honors Primary Concentration, with the following exceptions:
- Two half-courses may be double counted toward both departments’ requirements.
- Students may only receive honors for one concentration, which must be designated as the “honors” field.
- Students are not required to write theses in both concentrations. They may apply to write a thesis in one or both departments if desired, but only one may be designated an honors thesis.
- Departmental honors will be decided solely by the designated honors field.
The Double Concentration is an academically demanding undertaking, necessitating rigorous planning and limiting flexibility in one’s plan of study. Requiring 22+ total departmental credits, the Double Concentration should only be undertaken by a student who is certain of their academic path and willing to forgo electives in favor of delving deeper into their fields of concentration. Students interested in the Double Concentration must plan ahead to ensure they can receive enough unique credits in each department. If there is a significant amount of overlap between the two fields of interest, students should instead consider a Joint Concentration.
1. Required Courses
12-13 half-courses, plus requirements for the second concentration (2 half-courses, up to 8 credits, may double-count):
A. Four half-courses in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur/Chaghatay, or Vietnamese, or an approved combination of courses involving two East Asian languages (see Basic Requirements, item 1a).
B. Four half-courses of tutorial or courses designated as equivalents.
C. Three to five half-courses selected from among East Asian or related subjects (see item 1c of Basic Requirements), including language courses beyond Basic Requirements. The number of courses required depends on the number of East Asian language half-courses that a student chooses, i.e., a student who chooses to count six half-courses of language requires three additional area courses, a student who chooses to count four language courses requires five area courses.
D. All courses required by the second concentration.
2. Tutorials
Same as Basic Requirements.
Plus (required for EAS honors candidates only):
Senior year: East Asian Studies 99 (two terms), preparation of thesis, required. Letter-graded. The senior tutorial consists of weekly meetings with the graduate student advisor and regular (usually bi-weekly) meetings with the faculty advisor. There are also periodic meetings with other seniors writing theses. EAS 99 counts towards course requirements.
3. Thesis:
Required of EAS honors candidates only.
4. General Examination:
None
Other information:
Courses counted for concentration credit may not be taken Pass/Fail, with the exception of Freshman Seminars or by special petition. The sophomore tutorial may not be taken Pass/Fail. General Education classes on East Asia can be counted for concentration credit. Content courses taught in an East Asian language can count toward the language or area course requirement. A content course taught in an East Asian language may also count as a junior tutorial replacement course with the written permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Double Concentrations can now be declared through my.harvard without additional paperwork.