COURSE CURRICULUM

The Music and East Asian Studies BA is a four-year interdisciplinary program combining music practice, theory, and research with language learning and cultural studies in East Asia. In the first year, students take 80 credits of core modules covering Digital Skills for Music, History of Western Music, Key Questions in East Asian Studies, and Inventing East Asian Traditions, alongside 40 credits of optional modules in music and East Asian studies. Optional music modules include composition, performance, popular music studies, and music analysis, while language and culture options cover Korean, Japanese, or Chinese for non-specialists and cross-cultural or historical East Asian studies. The second year builds on this foundation with core modules such as Musicology, Work in Music, and Global Citizenship and East Asia, and optional modules including performance, improvisation, ethnography, studio practice, and further language development. In the third year, students study abroad in an East Asian country, immersing themselves in the language and culture to enhance both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. The fourth year focuses on advanced skills and independent work through a major project in composition, performance, dissertation, or a special project, alongside an East Asian dissertation. Optional modules allow further specialization in areas such as orchestration, traditional music, ensemble performance, media studies, and the continuation of language study. The program equips graduates with expertise in music, East Asian language, and culture, along with analytical, creative, and intercultural skills suitable for careers in music, education, research, and international contexts.