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Cornell University

East Asia Program

About

History and Community

Since its inception in 1950, Cornell's East Asia Program (EAP) has stood as the focal point for research, teaching, and outreach on East Asia. It serves as a campus-wide network of specialists devoted to the study of contemporary and historical East Asia, including the region's relationship to the U.S. Today, EAP draws its membership of 45 core faculty and 57 affiliated and associated faculty from 8 of Cornell's 12 schools and colleges, many of whom are prominent leaders in their scholarly fields.

East Asia Program Executive Structure

The East Asia Program is directed by a rotating three-year faculty director, selected from the EAP faculty. The director is assisted by a steering committee that is appointed annually.

Offering tea in a Japanese tea bowl

Student Affiliation

All Cornell students are welcome to participate in EAP activities, but certain students become part of the EAP due to their course of study. At the undergraduate and master's degree levels, majors in Asian Studies with a concentration in East Asia are systematically added to EAP's email lists.

The EAP Graduate Student Steering Committee provides networking opportunities for graduate students and represents graduate student interests and concerns within the program.

Faculty Affiliation

Faculty

Faculty are key leaders in EAP's activities. They serve in the following capacity:

  • Research and teach primarily in East Asian studies

  • Serve on EAP committees
  • Invite guest speakers or host workshops, conferences, and symposia
  • Primary investigators on sponsored projects through the EAP
  • Other collaborative academic work coordinated through EAP

Associated Faculty

Associated faculty are faculty both at Cornell and at other universities who occasionally collaborate with the East Asia Program and make up a large network of scholars with professional interests in East Asia.

Visiting Scholars

Visiting scholars are scholars of East Asian studies who spend a limited residency at Cornell to pursue their research and work with EAP faculty and students. Most EAP visiting scholars come from countries in East Asia and spend nine to twelve months at Cornell. Visiting scholars must have a faculty host who is an EAP core faculty member.