The Department of East Asian Studies is an academic department of the University of Delhi, dedicated to the study of the languages, history, politics, economy and culture of the East Asian region. Located on the North Campus of the university in Delhi, it is one of the principal centres in India for area-based teaching and research on China, Japan and Korea.
Key facts
| Name | Department of East Asian Studies |
|---|---|
| Parent institution | University of Delhi |
| Type | Academic department (area studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Location | North Campus, Delhi |
| Region of focus | East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) |
Overview
The department offers programmes that combine language training with social science approaches to East Asia. Its academic work spans Chinese, Japanese and Korean studies, with attention to political systems, foreign policy, international relations, economic development, history and society of the region. The department situates East Asia within broader frameworks of Asian studies and India's engagement with its eastern neighbours.
Academic programmes
Teaching at the department is organised around postgraduate and research degrees in East Asian Studies, alongside language instruction. Typical offerings in the area include:
- Master's level coursework on the politics, economy and international relations of East Asia.
- Doctoral (Ph.D.) and pre-doctoral (M.Phil., where applicable) research on China, Japan and Korea.
- Part-time and certificate-level language programmes in Chinese, Japanese and Korean aimed at students and working professionals.
Research focus
Research in the department covers a range of themes, including:
- Chinese politics, foreign policy and India–China relations.
- Japanese political economy, security policy and India–Japan relations.
- Korean Peninsula affairs, including the politics of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
- Regional issues such as East Asian regionalism, trade architectures and security.
- History, culture and society of East Asian countries.
Background
Area studies on East Asia in Indian universities developed in the decades after independence, as the country sought specialised expertise on its Asian neighbours. The University of Delhi established teaching and research capacities in Chinese and Japanese studies as part of this wider development, which were later consolidated under a department devoted to East Asia. The department functions within the university's Faculty of Social Sciences, alongside other area-focused and disciplinary departments.
Significance
As part of one of India's largest and most prominent universities, the department contributes to the training of scholars, diplomats, journalists, analysts and language professionals working on East Asia. Its location in Delhi places it close to policy institutions, embassies and think tanks, supporting interaction between academic research and public discourse on India's relations with China, Japan and Korea.
Related topics
- University of Delhi
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Delhi
- Area studies
- East Asia
- India–China relations
- India–Japan relations
- India–South Korea relations
- Chinese language
- Japanese language
- Korean language
References
- Wikidata entry: Q19891294.
- University of Delhi, official information on departments and faculties.