East Asian Languages and Literatures
The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures presents a wide range of courses in several programs, from introductory courses in the languages and literatures of East Asia (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) to advanced graduate-level study of linguistics and literature. Undergraduate degrees include a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in Chinese or Japanese and minors in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. The department also offers master’s (MA) and doctoral (PhD) degrees in East Asian languages and literatures. At all levels, students may choose to focus on either language or literature, though all degree programs require course work from both areas.
The department typically supports dozens of students in graduate-level study while 100 undergraduate BA majors graduate each year. Faculty members are strongly committed to promoting a rich immersion in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, and undergraduates and graduate students alike are encouraged to study abroad and conduct research throughout East Asia.
Preparation
The department recommends the following preparation for study leading to an undergraduate major or minor in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean:
As much work as possible in the student’s major language, focusing on oral and written communication and reading comprehension
Knowledge of the history, culture, and geography of the area in which that language is spoken
Course work in literary analysis and cultural studies
Careers
Students with an undergraduate degree in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean are well prepared for graduate-level study in the humanities, social sciences, and professions (e.g., law or business). They are also suited to a range of jobs in many different sectors, including business, education, and journalism as well as government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Recent graduates have found jobs in all of these areas.
Faculty
Roy Chan, associate professor (modern Chinese and Russian literature). BA, 2002, Washington (Seattle); PhD, 2009, California, Berkeley. (2013)
Weijun Chen, associate teaching professor (Chinese). BA, 1997, Anhui; MA, 2000, Nanjing. (2008)
Rachel DiNitto, professor (modern Japanese literature, cultural studies). BA, 1988, Pennsylvania; MA, 1996, PhD, 2000, Washington (Seattle). (2015)
Maram Epstein, professor (Ming-Qing vernacular fiction). BA, 1983, MA, 1987, PhD, 1992, Princeton. (1994)
Alisa D. Freedman, professor (modern Japanese literature and film). BA, 1991, Wesleyan; MA, 1995, PhD, 2002, Chicago. (2005)
Yukari Furikado-Koranda, associate teaching professor (Japanese). BA, 2002, Kobe College; MA, 2010, Oregon. (2010)
Denise Gigliotti, associate teaching professor (Chinese). BA, 1995, National Taiwan; MA, 1998, California, Los Angeles. (2002)
Alison Groppe, associate professor (Chinese culture). BA, 1989, Wellesley College; MA, 1995, PhD, 2006, Harvard. (2008)
Luke Habberstad, associate professor (early Chinese literature). BA, 2003, Yale; MA, 2007, PhD, 2014, California, Berkeley. (2014)
Reiko Hashimoto, associate teaching professor (Japanese). BA, 1982, Chukyo; MA, 1992, Minnesota State, Mankato; PhD, 2000, Indiana, Bloomington. (2000)
Kaori Idemaru, professor (linguistics). BA, 1990, Osaka; MA, 1992, Northern Iowa; PhD, 2005, Oregon. (2008)
Rika Ikei, associate teaching professor (Japanese). BA, 1992, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies; MA, 1998, West Chester. (2003)
Zhuo Jing-Schmidt, professor (Chinese linguistics). BA, 1992, MA, 1995, Peking; MA, 1997, California, Los Angeles; PhD, 2005, Cologne. (2010)
Boyoung Kim, instructor (Korean). B.A. with Honors, University of Iowa; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
Jina Kim, associate professor (Korean literature). BA, 1993, University of Chicago; MA, 2002, University of Washington; MA, 2009, Cornell; PhD, 2006, University of Washington. (2018)
Nayoung Kwon, associate professor (Korean linguistics). BA, 1997, Korea; MA, 1999, Korea; MA, 2003, California (San Diego); PhD, 2008, California (San Diego). (2020)
Fengjun Mao, associate teaching professor (Chinese). BA, 2000, MA, 2003, East China Normal. (2008).
Naoko Nakadate, associate teaching professor (Japanese). BA, 1988, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; MA, 1992, Oregon. (1993)
Yoko O'Brien, associate teaching professor (Japanese). BA, 1996, Washington State; MA, 2000, Oregon. (2007)
Thomas Glynne Walley, associate professor (early modern Japanese literature). BA, 1996, Brigham Young; MA, 2001, Washington (St. Louis); PhD, 2009, Harvard. (2012)
Yugen Wang, professor (classical Chinese poetry and poetics). BA, 1992, Anhui Normal; MA, 1995, Peking; PhD, 2005, Harvard. (2005)
Sunhee Woo, instructor (Korean). BA, 2004; M.Ed, 2012, Graduate School of Education, Hanyang University. (2021)
Jean Yuanpeng Wu, associate teaching professor (Chinese). BA, 1982, China University of Geosciences; MA, 1990, West Virginia; PhD, 1998, Michigan State. (1996)
Emeriti
Stephen W. Durrant, professor emeritus. BA, 1968, Brigham Young; PhD, 1975, Washington (Seattle). (1990)
Michael B. Fishlen, associate professor emeritus. BA, 1965, Knox College; MA, 1968, PhD, 1973, Indiana; JD, 1987, Oregon. (1970)
Angela Jung-Palandri, professor emerita. BA, 1946, Catholic University, Peking; MA, 1949, MLS, 1954, PhD, 1955, Washington (Seattle). (1962)
Stephen W. Kohl, associate professor emeritus. BA, 1967, PhD, 1974, Washington (Seattle). (1972)
Wendy Larson, professor emerita. BA, 1974, Oregon; MA, 1978, PhD, 1984, California, Berkley. (1985)
The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.