Berkeley’s programs in Chinese and Japanese studies, established over 125 years ago, are among the most developed in the nation. This new Title VI grant focuses on building those areas of its East Asian studies program that are less well developed—mainly Tibetan, Korean and Cantonese studies, and certain aspects of its Chinese and Japanese programs. Coordinated by Berkeley’s Institute of East Asian Studies (IEAS), the nexus of all East Asia programs at Berkeley, these efforts include not only language courses but teacher training, public outreach and organized research activities. They seek to move Berkeley and the fields in general beyond the China and Japan-centric model of East Asia studies, towards a more nuanced understanding of the region and its diverse character. With National Resource Center support over the next four years, Berkeley will become one of the few centers in the U.S. offering comprehensive training in all of the major languages and societies of East Asia, including the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages (LCTLs) of the region. IEAS will also partner with its five East Asia centers over the next four years on a new program to explore the theme of “Walls and Borders” in East Asia.
August 1, 2019