East Asia Studies
Leaders with Heart must understand a wide range of global forces to effectively navigate our rapidly changing interconnected world. What better way to develop these insights than by building an awareness of the business, religious, linguistic and cultural practices of one of the most influential areas in the world.
Distinguish yourself as a leader who can bridge North American and East Asian organizations. Develop the cultural sensitivity and foundational understanding about how different perspectives can be balanced to motivate action and achieve economic and social good.
At Huron you’ll find a highly flexible program featuring small, intimate classes, personalized coaching and opportunities for imaginative, independent research and hands-on learning. So, prepare to become immersed in the beauty, complexity and intrigue of East Asia.
Alumni Stories
East Asian Studies have prepared our alumni for extraordinary success within a variety of careers. Employers look for people with the ability to analyze information, find creative solutions to problems and effectively communicate their ideas: Graduates of this program of all of these skills - what's more, they're paired with a thorough understanding regarding the historical, cultural, linguistic and social influences that spur and halt change within and between cultures.
Read stories about alumni from this exciting program, and learn how to distinguish yourself - personally and professionally - as a globally-focused Leader with Heart.
Professors
Learn from professors who have a deep knowledge of China and East Asia more broadly. This faculty comes together, from across the world, to lead students to a more fulsome understanding of these rich cultures, the societal foundations they are built upon, and the people who define them. This department is dedicated to incorporating critical thought, intensive research elements, interactive activities and community engagement projects to ensure students engage with well-rounded learning environments.
Take time to get to know the names and faces who will be supporting you every step of the way as you embark on an enriching exploration of China.
East Asia Studies Department
Tenure-stream
- Dr. Mariana Ionescu, Chair & Associate Professor, French and Asian Studies, 519.438.7224 ext. 259, Rm A210
Chinese
- Dr. Yan Lu, Assistant Professor, Chinese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 332, Rm A7
Japanese
- Dr. Michiya Kawai, Associate Professor and Co-ordinator, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 330, Rm A214
- Dr. Sawako Akai, Assistant Professor, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 243, Rm A213
Program sessional and per course instructors
Chinese
- Dr. Clare Gordon, Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Chinese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 228, Rm A11
- Dr. Li Fang (Lucy) He, Assistant Professor, Chinese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 331, Rm A10
- Dr. Guoyuan (Kevin) Liu, Assistant Professor, Chinese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 277, Rm A104
- Dr. Hua (Laura) Wu, Associate Professor, Chinese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 277
Japanese
- Mitsume Fukui, Lecturer, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 277, Rm A9
- Rie Shirakawa, Lecturer, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext.135, Rm A9
- Syarifah Syed Zainuddin, Lecturer, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 277, Rm A18
- Christopher White, Lecturer, Japanese Program, 519.438.7224 ext. 277
Professors Emeritis
Chinese
- Dr. Laura Wu, hwul@huron.uwo.ca
East Asia Studies Courses
Explore East Asia's role in the world! At Huron, you'll find a highly flexible program featuring small, intimate classes, personalized coaching and opportunities for imaginative, independent research and hands-on learning. Broaden your global perspectives, because to lead, you need a heart that understands the world. After your first year you can explore issues such as: Chinese cinema, women in Chinese society and business translation.
Stream A: Language Courses
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
CHN 1150 – Beginners' Chinese I | Lu | View course outline |
CHN 2250 – Beginners' Chinese II | He | View course outline |
CHN 3350 – Chinese III | He | View course outline |
The above courses require placement via the Chinese Placement Request Form, available here. Placement opens in June 2020.
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
CHN 3340A – Business Chinese I | Gordon | View course outline |
CHN 4440A – Business Translation I | Gordon | View course outline |
CHN 4441B – Business Translation II | Gordon | View course outline |
Stream B: Courses on Chinese Culture and Literature taught in Chinese
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
CHN 2240F – Understanding Chinese Business Culture I | Gordon | View course outline |
CHN 2241G – Understanding Chinese Business Culture II | Gordon | View course outline |
CHN 2242F – Representative Works in Traditional Chinese Literature | Liu | View course outline |
CHN 2243F – The Chinese Diaspora and Its Literary Representation | Lu | View course outline |
CHN 2244G – Representative Works in Modern Chinese Literature | Liu | View course outline |
CHN 2245F – Cinema in the Chinese Mainland | He | View course outline |
CHN 2246G – Chinese Cinema in Taiwan and Hong Kong | He | View course outline |
CHN 2247G – Chinese Cities and Chinese Culture | Liu | View course outline |
Stream C: Courses on Chinese Culture and Literature taught in English
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
CHN 1650G – Perspectives on China | Gordon | View course outline |
CHN 1651F – Chinese Symbols and Icons | Liu | View course outline |
CHN 2601A – The Political & Socio-economic Foundations of Modern China | Liu | View course outline |
CHN 2651G – Fiction and Modern Chinese Society | Lu | View course outline |
CHN 3652F – Chinese Discourse on Women and Gender Relations | Wu | View course outline |
CHN 3653G – Women in Chinese Society: Images in Literature | Wu | View course outline |
CHN 3654G – Trauma, Memory and Narrative in Chinese Literature and Film | Liu | View course outline |
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
JPN 1050 – Japanese I | Shirakawa / Syed Zainuddin | View course outline |
JPN 1650F – Perspectives on Japan | White | View course outline |
JPN 1650G – Perspectives on Japan | White | View course outline |
JPN 2250 – Japanese II | Fukui | View course outline |
JPN 2601A – Cultural Foundations of Modern Japan | Kawai | View course outline |
JPN 2750B – An Introduction to Japanese Linguistics | Kawai | View course outline |
JPN 3350 – Japanese III | Akai / Fukui | View course outline |
JPN 3360A – Conversational Japanese I | Akai | View course outline |
JPN 3361B – Conversational Japanese II | Akai | View course outline |
JPN 3651G – Japan Through Anime | Akai | View course outline |
JPN 3750F – Senior Research Seminar | White | View course outline |
JPN 3751G – Senior Research Seminar II | White | View course outline |
JPN 4450 – Japanese IV | Kawai | View course outline |
Stream A: Language Courses |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
Lu |
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He |
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He |
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The above courses require placement. Please request placement/ special permission using the following form: https://huronatwestern.ca/chinese-placement-request-form |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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Stream B: Courses on Chinese Culture & Literature taught in Chinese |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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CHN 2242F – Representative Works in Traditional Chinese Literature |
Liu |
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CHN 2244G – Representative Works in Modern Chinese Literature |
Liu |
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He |
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He |
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Liu |
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CHN 2271G – Special Topics: Environment and Ecocriticism in Chinese Literature and Film |
Lu |
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Stream C: Courses on Chinese Culture and Literature taught in English |
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CHN 1650G – Perspectives on China | Gordon | View course outline |
Liu |
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CHN 2601A – The Political and Socio-Economic Foundations of Modern China |
Liu |
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Liu |
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Lu |
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Lu |
Chinese Courses Offered
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
Lu |
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Gordon |
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Liu |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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CHN 2242F – Representative Works in Traditional Chinese Literature |
Lu |
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He |
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He |
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He |
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He |
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Liu |
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Sun |
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Lu |
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Lu |
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Gordon |
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Liu |
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Lu |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
Japanese Courses Offered
Course | Instructor | Course Outline |
JPN 1050 – Japanese I | Akai/Shirikawa | View course outline |
JPN 1650F – Perspectives on Japan | White | View course outline |
JPN 1650G – Perspectives on Japan | White | View course outline |
JPN 2250 – Japanese II | Fukui/Akai | View course outline |
JPN 2601A – Cultural Foundations of Modern Japan | Kawai | View course outline |
JPN 3350 – Japanese III | Akai | View course outline |
JPN 3650G – Japan Through Film | Kawai | View course outline |
JPN 4450 – Japanese IV | Kawai | View course outline |
Chinese Courses Offered
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
He |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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Liu |
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CHN 2242F – Representative Works in Traditional Chinese Literature |
Liu |
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CHN 2243F – The Chinese Diaspora and Its Literary Representation |
Wu |
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CHN 2244G – Representative Works in Modern Chinese Literature |
Liu |
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He |
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He |
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Liu |
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Sun |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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He |
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Wu |
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Wu |
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Gordon |
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Gordon |
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He |
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He |
Japanese Courses Offered
Course |
Instructor |
Course Outline |
Akai/Shirakawa/Ogata |
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White |
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Akai |
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Kawai |
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Ogata |
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Kawai |
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Kawai |
East Asian Studies Careers
East Asia Studies will prepare you for a variety of careers; employers today are looking for people with the ability to analyze information, to find creative solutions to problems and to effectively communicate their ideas. These skills are acquired when studying language and literature.
- Teaching (Foreign Language in Canada)
- Teaching (English in East Asia)
- Graduate studies on East Asia
- Interpreters/translators
- Canadian and International Business (in East Asia)
- NGOs
- Politics
- Journalism
- Diplomatic services
- Intelligence analyst
- Foreign services
- Marketing
Find a Mentor
Key Contacts

Clare Gordon, PhD

Mariana Ionescu, PhD

Michiya Kawai, PhD

Sahana Mazumder, MES
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday