Founded in 1959, the Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Kansas (KU), remains the only such center in the Great Plains region. The excellence of our faculty, depth of our East Asian Library, and strong institutional support, combined with the long-term stability of our program, make CEAS an invaluable regional and national resource.
Mission Statement
The mission of CEAS is to produce specialists in East Asian languages and cultures and provide expertise on these cultures to the state, region, and nation. The Center supports teaching, faculty and student research, and the development of library and media resources. It offers an array of programs to enhance the educational experience of students at KU and share our resources with the community, K-12 and post-secondary educators, civic groups, government, and business.
Degree Programs
BA and MA degrees in East Asian languages and literatures or East Asian area studies are offered through our Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC). BA degrees with an East Asian concentration can be earned in other departments, such as History. East Asian MA degrees are offered in Religious Studies and the School of Business. A PhD with an East Asian emphasis can be earned in 9 or more departments (Anthropology, Communications Studies, Economics, Geography, History, History of Art, Political Science, Sociology, and Theatre & Film) and the School of Education.
Language and Discipline Programs
We offer a full range of instruction in the 3 major East Asian languages: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. East Asian area studies courses are offered in Anthropology, Business, Classics, Communications Studies, EALC (literature, folklore, law, thought, etc.), Economics, Geography, Health Policy & Management, History, History of Art, Journalism, Law, Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Administration, Religious Studies, Social Welfare, Sociology, Women's Studies, and Theatre and Film.
Faculty
51 faculty provide an East Asian focus in 19 departments and 6 professional schools. 25 (including 2 tenure-track East Asian librarians) are 100% East Asian faculty. Another 16 make East Asian subjects and perspectives a significant part of their teaching. All hold the highest degrees in their fields, usually the Ph.D. CEAS faculty are well known for their research in international scholarly circles and have extensive experience living and working in East Asia.
Enhancement Activities
CEAS provides curricular initiatives, faculty development, student support, conferences, symposia, exhibitions, performances, and electronic publication. The Center supports interdisciplinary teaching and the creation of new East Asian courses. To students it offers advising, recognition, and scholarships, as well as an annual East Asian careers day. In addition to frequent special events, such as lectures and films, CEAS provides an East Asian reading table, monthly Newsnotes, an annual "update" conference, and internet resources.
Library
The KU East Asian Library is the key East Asian resource in the Great Plains region. Its holdings include 234,564 volumes (Chinese: 131,066; Japanese 66,871; Korean 3,327), 1,406 serial titles, and 4,500 microfilm reels, along with videos, audio cassettes, slides, and CD-ROMs in Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Approximately 33,000 titles in Western languages support East Asian studies. The collection is accessible on-line. Two professional East Asian bibliographers, one in Chinese and one in Japanese, assist faculty, students, and visitors, and maintain outreach internet sites.
Outreach
CEAS's professional Outreach Coordinator develops materials and arranges a rich array of programs for school, civic, business, and government groups. She conducts workshops, organizes conferences, arranges visits to KU, maintains the CEAS Speakers Bureau, and oversees the student production of the newsletter East Asia.ed. She also works closely with the education departments of KU and regional museums, the Kansas City Zoo, and the Lied Center (performing arts).
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