Foreign Languages and Literatures: Asian

Purpose: To support undergraduate courses in Japanese and Chinese languages, and to support a general world literature collection. The language courses are a requirement for both minors and majors in the Asia Program. The material is also of interest to students in History, Political Science, English, Asian-American Studies, Anthropology, International Business, Philosophy, and Theater.

1. Languages: The primary language of the collection is English, although major literary works are very selectively purchased in the original language.
2. Chronological Guidelines: No general guidelines.
3. Geographical Guidelines: Preference is given to East and South Asia. Material related to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific is more selectively purchased.
4. Treatment of Subject: Literary texts and critical, theoretical and historical studies of literature are acquired. Grammars, dictionaries, and other aids to language study are purchased for those languages which are taught at WSU. For languages which are not taught, only a basic grammar and dictionary are normally purchased.
5. Types of Materials: Monographs and serials form the basis of the collection, but literary encyclopedias, dictionaries, and some conference proceedings are also acquired. Textbooks are not ordinarily acquired. Electronic and selective audiovisual materials (e.g., language learning tapes) are acquired.
6. Date of Publication: Emphasis is on current imprints, but some retrospective purchasing may be done on a highly selective basis.