Asian Languages & Literatures

The Department of Asian Languages and Literatures offers introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in Chinese and Japanese language, plus a variety of courses in traditional and modern Chinese and Japanese literature and culture in English translation and some linguistics courses related to Asian Languages. Accommodation can be made for students who can speak, but cannot read or write the languages. At the intermediate level, students are encouraged to participate in one of several approved academic programs in China or Japan. A major in Chinese or Japanese is available by petition.

Carleton graduates have been employed as translators and interpreters. Others have applied their Chinese and Japanese language training in such diverse areas as law, business, education, the arts, and diplomatic service, and in a wide variety of graduate and professional programs.

Students perform at Poetry Without Borders

Asian Languages and Literature Department Photo

Info for First-Year Students

Carleton’s Chinese and Japanese programs offers not only elementary, intermediate, and advanced language courses, but also a variety of content courses taught in English on literature, film, linguistics, and culture. Students can fulfill the general language requirement by taking Chinese or Japanese.

Chinese

Students may petition for a special major in Chinese. A Chinese minor is also available.

Japanese

Students may petition for a special major in Japanese. A Japanese minor is also available.

Chinese language, Japanese language, literature, and culture.

Chinese

If you are an incoming student who needs to take a Chinese Placement Exam during New Student Week, or a native speaker of Chinese seeking a proficiency evaluation, please visit this website for detailed instructions.

If you have questions about the Chinese Placement Exam during the regular academic year, please email Professor Lin Deng (LDC 216) or call 1-507-222-5425.

Japanese

This placement test is for students of all proficiency levels, from elementary through intermediate levels. It is used to determine which level you are at, so that you can most efficiently and effectively learn Japanese in the appropriate course.

The Japanese placement exam will be administered online during New Student Week. The test includes a written exam and an oral interview. The written exam will be open from 1:00 pm on August 21st through 11:00 pm on September 7th. You will sign up for the oral interview after completing the written test. The oral interviews will occur in-person during New Student Week (see schedule on the New Student Week site). Click to take the Japanese placement test. If you have questions, e-mail Noboru Tomonari at ntomonar@carleton.edu, or call 507-222-5955.