Case Western Reserve University

What you'll study

The programme marries close readings of primary Chinese texts with methods from contemporary philosophy and comparative studies. Core topics include Confucian ethics and political thought, Daoist metaphysics and aesthetics, Buddhist philosophy in China, and the development of intellectual traditions across dynastic periods. Course work typically covers hermeneutics, philosophy of language as applied to classical texts, intellectual history, and contemporary Chinese philosophical debates.

• Seminars on primary sources (e.g. Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Huayan and Chan texts)
• Comparative philosophy modules (East–West dialogues, modern readings of classical thinkers)
• Methodology and research design (textual criticism, philology, translation practice)
• Electives drawing on neighbouring disciplines—Chinese history, religion, literature and political thought
• Language study options to support research in Classical Chinese or Modern Mandarin
• Research project or thesis supervised by faculty with expertise in Chinese philosophy and related fields

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree (BA or equivalent) in philosophy, Asian studies, religious studies, history, or another relevant humanities discipline. Strong applicants demonstrate prior work with philosophical texts, evidence of critical reading and writing skills, and a clear statement of research interests in Chinese philosophy and culture.

• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Statement of purpose outlining academic interests and goals
• Two or three academic references
• A writing sample showing analytical and interpretive ability (for example an essay on a philosophical or textual topic)
• Evidence of language preparation is beneficial; prior study of Classical Chinese or Modern Mandarin strengthens applications but is not always required

Career prospects

Graduates leave with advanced skills in critical analysis, textual interpretation, cross-cultural reasoning and independent research. These prepare students for a range of careers in academia, secondary and tertiary education, museums and cultural organisations, publishing, translation and interpretation, international NGOs, public policy, and consultancy roles that value nuanced understanding of East Asian intellectual contexts.

• Progression to doctoral programmes in philosophy, Asian studies or religious studies
• Teaching and academic research positions
• Museum curatorship, archival work and cultural heritage roles
• Translation, editing and scholarly publishing
• Policy analysis, international relations and cultural liaison roles

Why study at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University offers an interdisciplinary environment where philosophy students can work closely with faculty across departments—including history, religious studies and modern languages—to pursue projects on Chinese thought. The university’s small programme size enables personalised supervision for master’s research, while access to regional cultural institutions and libraries supports primary-source work and public-facing projects. Students benefit from a research-active faculty with expertise in both classical East Asian traditions and contemporary comparative philosophy, and from opportunities to present work in seminars and conferences hosted by the university.