The department offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in the cultures, and in the languages and literatures of East Asia. In addition, it cooperates with Ph.D. programs in East Asian art history, history, political science, and theatre administered by other departments. Every semester, about 50 courses are available at the university in East Asian subjects, and about 30 of these are offered directly through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. With a recent surge of interest in East Asia, language and culture classes draw a wide range of students who take advantage of the department's courses, programs, and learning resources. A language laboratory makes tapes and videos available for students to review lessons or advance their comprehension outside classroom hours.
Asian films are also available.
Lecture and discussion courses, usually of small to moderate size, illustrate the diversity and development of East Asian cultures. A program in bibliographical and research techniques helps students master skills essential for advanced inquiry and lucid presentation. At The University of Kansas , the faculty is meeting the demand for courses about contemporary East Asian cultures while maintaining its dedication to the rich heritage of East Asian countries. Courses in the department introduce students to the elements of tradition, and allow them to see modern nations through their own perspective rather than through the expectations of Western culture. The overall goal of the department is to train students in interpreting, appreciating, and transmitting important cultural traditions, and to aid in bridging the gap between East Asian lives and our own.