Asian Languages and Civilizations at CU Boulder

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Asian Languages and Civilizations at CU Boulder

The Department of Asian Languages & Civilizations offers language, literature, and culture programs in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, and Korean.

The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, founded in 1982, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chinese and Japanese, four minor programs, two certificate programs, as well as language, literature and culture courses in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese and Korean. Students receive a thorough grounding in the modern language, an introduction to the classical language and literature and a broad familiarity with the literary and cultural history of their selected area. Students interested in Chinese or Japanese are encouraged to broaden their academic horizon through a double major, combining either language with another field of interest. Likewise, students in all Asian Languages and Civilizations programs as well as programs outside the department can pursue one of the department's minors or certificates as a way of broadening their career options. Recent graduates have found positions in such fields as government service, international business and secondary-school teaching; others have gone on to graduate study in Chinese or Japanese.

09/17/2026

Are you interested in Arabic Culture Events? 🌟‼️

If so come join us with all the Arabic Culture Events we are hosting this semester!

Arabic - English Culture Club
📍The International English Center
🗓 Tuesdays, Sept 8th, Sept 29th, Oct 20, Nov 10th
⏰ 12:30-1:30 PM

Coffee and a Word
📍HLMS N253
🗓Thursdays Sept 24 & Nov 5
⏰1-2 pm

ARABIC MOVIE NIGHT
📍KTCH 1B60
🗓Thursday Oct 15
⏰5:30 PM

ARABIC BOOK CLUB
📍Lafayette Public Library
🗓4th Wed of the month
⏰6-8 pm

If you have any questions please email
📩 [email protected]

We hope to see you all there!

09/16/2026

Would you like to participate in English-Japanese language and cultural exchange sessions with Japanese people in Hakodate?

If so join us for Hakodate Conversation Table‼️

All Japanese language learners who are currently taking or have previously taken JPNS2110 or a higher-level course in the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations are invited!

🗓When?
Thursdays
Oct. 1st
Oct. 8th
Oct. 15th
Oct. 22
⏰ 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Nov. 5th
Nov. 12th
Nov. 19th
Dec. 3rd
⏰ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

📩 For more information, please see the information below or contact Yumiko Matsunaga
[email protected]

09/15/2026

Please join us for Professor Xiaofei Tian's talk regarding her new book Writing Empire and Self: The Making of the Book.

In this talk I will introduce my new book, Writing Empire and Self: Poetic and Cultural Transformation in Early Medieval China, recently published by Columbia University Press. China’s early medieval period, from the fifth through the early seventh century, from the Northern and Southern Dynasties through the unified Sui, was a time of political fragmentation, military strife, and ethnic conflict. It also witnessed brilliant artistic creations as well as a full flowering of court culture, with poetry at its heart. How did poetry come to be regarded as the most potent form of cultural capital, a privileged literary genre, and a foundational skill for members of the elite? How was poetry transformed from an instrument of empire building to a venue for articulating personal trauma and voicing critique of the state? These are the questions addressed in the book, and in this talk I will discuss why I decided on working with this period, how these questions were developed, and what new possibilities exist for future research.

🗓 When?
Friday, Oct. 9th
📍Where?
HUMN 135
⏰ Time?
2:30 PM

We hope to see you all there!

09/14/2026

Japanese Conversation Table for upper-level students recap! 😆🗣

Thanks to everyone who came to the first session of the semester!
participants enjoyed free conversation in Japanese, talking about their summer experience, etc.. 🏖

The next session will be...
🗓 SEPT 23rd, Wednesday
📍HLMS N270

We hope to see you there!

09/10/2026

ALC Students Summer Studying Abroad 🏖✈️

Featuring Tai Anh Ngo's adventure to Seoul, South Korea 🇰🇷😆

Major(s)/Minors(s)📚
Business Analytics & Management Information Systems, Korean Minor

Tai was able to study in South Korea through the WorldStrides: Seoul, South Korea study abroad program, and we asked them a few questions regarding their trip. 🎉

What was your favorite memory from your time abroad? 🤗
What did you learn about the language or culture that surprised you? ✈️😱
The entire atmosphere in South Korea was something I’ve never experienced before and to get to experience that for four months has been truly life-changing. I’ve met so many friends from all across the world and plugged into the Korean culture immensely. My favorite memory was the walkable streets that never sleep. Learning how complex, yet simple Korean language could be wherever I go. I discovered more about my passion and truly where I want to be after college, so South Korea has become a place that I am currently planning to return to soon.

09/09/2026

ALC Students Summer Studying Abroad 🏖✈️

Featuring Josh Forkell's adventure to Osaka, Japan 🇯🇵😆

📚Major(s)/Minor(s)
1.) Japanese, 2.) Business Administration/Marketing

Josh was able to study in Japan through the CET Summer Language Intensive study abroad program, and we asked him a few questions regarding his trip. 🎉

What was your favorite memory from your time abroad? 🤗
What did you learn about the language or culture that surprised you? ✈️😱
Studying abroad with CET in Osaka for the summer allowed me the chance to speak Japanese like never before. Everyday I was in class speaking only Japanese, and even outside of my class with my friends and at restaurants we almost always spoke Japanese. I came to Osaka not confident in my ability as a speaker and was able to find my voice in a second language. My favorite memory was when me and my friends went to a Sushi Omakase dinner and the chef stayed after to talk to us and chat in Japanese, it was a very special experience. I was very surprised at my abilities by the end of the program. I never thought I would be able to speak Japanese so easily in everyday life. The program wasn't always easy, but according to my professors at CET, my Japanese has improved significantly.

09/08/2026

ALC Faculty Spotlight 📚

Professor of Chinese Antje Richter is featured in a recent Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine article highlighting her new book, Health and the Art of Living: Illness Narratives in Early Medieval Chinese Literature. The article explores her research on how experiences of health, illness, and adaptation shaped literature and culture in early medieval China.

Take a deeper look into Professor Richter's innovative scholarship and discover how medieval Chinese texts offer insights into the human experience that still resonate today.

📱 Scan the QR code to read the full story, It's More Than Just Feeling Good or Bad

09/07/2026

The Blakemore Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2027 Blakemore Language Fellowships for an academic year of intensive language study at approved language programs in Asia during the 2027/2028 academic year.

Who should apply? The Blakemore Foundation is looking for exceptional candidates who will make significant contributions to their career field. The ideal candidate is someone with stellar grades, outstanding recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to the Asian country and language. Beyond commitment, we are looking for a mature purpose: a career path that will require and benefit from fluency in that Asian language throughout that individual's life.

All fellowships provide a stipend for living, travel, study expenses and full tuition for study at:
● International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan (Blakemore Freeman Fellowships)
● Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China (Blakemore Kingfisher and Blakemore Fellowships)
● Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama, Japan (Blakemore Freeman Fellowships)
● Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul National University, or Sogang University (Blakemore Freeman Fellowships)

In addition, Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are also available for advanced language study in: ● Thailand ● Vietnam ● Indonesia ● Cambodia

Applications for all fellowship programs may be submitted athttps://blakemorefoundation.communityforce.com with a deadline of December 30, 2026. More detailed information on our fellowship programs is available on their website at www.blakemorefoundation.org.

09/04/2026

RECAP of Chinese Conversation Table ‼️💬

Meeting was super successful, thank you to everyone who showed up!🥳

We hope to see you all next time ‼️

09/03/2026

Join ARABIC - ENGLISH CULTURE CLUB 😄💬
Hosted by the Arabic Language Program and the International English Center.

FALL 2026 Events 🍁🍂🎉
📍IEC Room 101
⏰ 12:30 PM

Chautauqua Hike ⛰
🗓 Sept. 8th, 2026

Coffee/Tea Culture☕🍵
🗓Sept. 29th, 2026

Karaoke & Snacks🎤🍿
🗓Oct. 20th, 2026

Party🎊🎉
🗓Nov. 10th, 2026

Questions?
please email...
📩[email protected] or 📩[email protected]

Address

1610 Pleasant Street, Eaton Humanities, Room 240A
Boulder, CO
80302

Telephone

+13034926639

Website

http://www.colorado.edu/alc/

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