Study abroad is encouraged. The concentration offers both a social sciences track, stressing approaches to modern East Asia drawn from the social science disciplines, and a humanities track, in which the history, literature, religion, and philosophy of modern and premodern times are studied. It draws upon faculty working on East Asian topics from the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, Government, History, and Sociology, and the schools of Business and Law. The sophomore tutorial, a two-semester course on East Asia from ancient times to the present, introduces a variety of perspectives from both the humanities and the social sciences, as well as offering concentrators an opportunity to meet with Harvard's East Asia faculty. At the end of the sophomore year, each concentrator chooses to study China, Japan, Korea, or Vietnam, and to enter either the humanities track or the social sciences track.
Juniors take two half-courses of tutorial or courses designated as tutorial equivalents.
It is usual for honors concentrators to spend the senior year researching and writing the honors thesis. The East Asian Studies concentration welcomes joint concentrators. Consult the East Asian Studies tutorial office for detailed requirements. However, students who are allowed to take fewer than six half-courses of language due to previous training or knowledge are required to substitute other courses. Four half-courses of tutorial or courses designated as equivalents.