East Asian Languages and Literatures

Department Head: Yanhong Zhu; zhuy@wlu.edu; 540-458-8277

Academic Division: The College

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) is committed to the mission of liberal arts education that aims at fostering well-rounded, critical-thinking individuals with a broad understanding of the increasingly complex, diverse, and globalizing world. EALL offers a full four-year program of language courses in both Chinese and Japanese as well as literature and culture courses in English, which are designed for both major and minor students and non-majors who are interested in East Asian languages and literatures.

The language courses seek to help students develop advanced communication skills in Chinese and Japanese through intensive language training and provide a foundation for understanding the cultural traditions of China and Japan. The literature and culture courses aim to cultivate an awareness and understanding of East Asian cultures through an interdisciplinary approach by introducing a wide range of philosophical, historical, social, political, and cultural issues relevant and necessary to the understanding of the literary and cultural texts from East Asia. The department’s curricula provide graduates with solid disciplinary training and prepare them for graduate studies and/or professional careers.

Students are urged to begin their East Asian language study as early as possible, preferably in their first year. Students entering with previous experience in the language are expected to check the placement test information or consult with the Head of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures to determine the appropriate level of study.

Chinese and Japanese language students may apply for participation in Washington and Lee’s exchange and spring study abroad programs. Students with an interest in study abroad should consult with the appropriate language faculty.

Honors: An Honors Program in East Asian Languages and Literatures is offered for qualified students; see department head for details.

Offerings

East Asian Languages and Literatures, B.A.  

Chinese minor  

Japanese minor  

Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

Christopher Elford, Ph.D.,—(2024)-2024
Assistant Professor of Chinese
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Janet Ikeda, Ph.D.—(1999)-2002
Associate Professor of East Asian Languages
Ph.D., Princeton University

Kei Yamaguchi, M.A.—(2023)-2023
Instructor of Japanese
M.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Yanhong Zhu, Ph.D.—(2009)-2023
Professor of Chinese
Ph.D., University of Southern California