Distinction
Distinction is a formal academic honor that the Department of Asian Studies may vote to bestow upon seniors majoring in Asian Studies, Chinese or Japanese who have demonstrated high academic achievement and an ability to produce independently a work of the highest standard. The Department of Asian Studies invites senior majors who seek a significant and satisfying experience as a capstone of their work in Asian Studies to apply for Distinction. Distinction is an award for achievements that are different from those acknowledged by the Founders’ Prize and, while we do not discourage students from applying for both, it would be unusual to receive both awards.
Guidelines
Eligibility
A candidate for distinction must have an overall grade point average of 3.6 and a 3.75 grade point average in Asian Studies, Chinese or Japanese courses per their major. The grade point average will be initially calculated based on work through the student’s junior year. Asian Studies, Chinese or Japanese courses include language and non-language courses taught by the Department of Asian Studies and courses related to Asia, China and Japan taught in other departments. Students eligible to apply for distinction will be notified by the chair of the Department of Asian Studies in the fall of their senior year. Candidacy for distinction will be allowed only if the above-mentioned minimum grade averages are maintained through the fall semester of the senior year.
Criteria for distinction portfolio
Candidates for distinction will assemble a portfolio representing their best work in their Asian Studies, Chinese, or Japanese major. The portfolio will normally consist of four papers or equivalent work in other formats:
- A substantive Level III original work in any media, such as a scholarly paper, artistic endeavor, or musical composition
- Two additional projects at Level II or Level III, each from a different discipline
- Student work from language courses at the second year or higher level, or equivalent. This work may be written or audiovisual, and need not necessarily be assigned work in a course (e.g., a blog in Chinese or Japanese based on experiences studying overseas or an edited photographic essay with commentary in the target language).
- A reflective essay, approximately 1500 words, on the student’s major, including thoughts on how the student has developed within the major, how the student’s study and experiences have shaped the student’s evolving understanding of Asia, and how the student may apply the study of Asia to future plans, whether or not the career will involve Asia. This essay will form the core of the student presentation if granted distinction (see below).
Timetable
In 2024-2025, students applying for distinction shall inform the chair of the Department of Asian Studies of their intention to apply by noon on Friday, February 14, 2025. (December graduates should consult the Chair about relevant deadlines.) Students will meet with the Distinction Committee members Prof. Sungha Yun & Prof. Eric Becklin to consult on their portfolio plans by February 28, 2025.
The candidate shall submit their portfolio to Profs. Yun and Becklin, via email, by noon on Tuesday, April 8. They will make a preliminary recommendation to the Department of Asian Studies. The department shall vote on whether or not to award distinction by late April, 2025. The chair of the department shall inform the candidate in writing of the department’s decision.
If approved for distinction, the student will present their work before Asian Studies students and faculty by the end of the spring semester.
Click this link to see examples of previous distinction works.
Founders’ Prize
The department of Asian Studies invites all Senior majors to apply for the Founders’ Prize, a contest in celebration of the founding of the Asian Studies department at St. Olaf College. The founders and early faculty members were advocates of mutual exchange, study, and cooperation between St. Olaf College and East Asian universities. Their vision of connecting St. Olaf students with Asia in meaningful ways through interdisciplinary academic inquiry created lasting networks upon which the foundation of the current department is built.
The Founders’ Prize contest asks students of Asian Studies to demonstrate their academic, intellectual and personal growth across their undergraduate careers. We intend for the Founders’ Prize to recognize student accomplishments distinct from those captured by grades, and invite all candidates to celebrate their Asian studies holistically, by reflecting on their growth within and especially beyond the classroom. Candidates are encouraged from cultural, linguistic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, whose achievements would otherwise not adequately be represented.
Applicants should choose three “artifacts” – assignments, projects, or works of art from three different academic years – and compose a formal essay of 1000 words that addresses the following questions:
- How do your artifacts collectively demonstrate your academic, intellectual and personal growth as a student of Asian Studies across your undergraduate career?
- How do each of your artifacts reflect interdisciplinarity – an approach that combines multiple disciplinary methods for academic inquiry – as an Asian Studies student? Be as specific as possible. Which disciplines does each artifact engage with, and how does interdisciplinary work enrich your academic experience in the Liberal Arts?
The Founders’ Prize is a competitive award. You should thoroughly edit your narrative (and visit the Writing Center, if necessary) to ensure that you put your best foot forward. We will assess your essays by examining how well you integrate each artifact, demonstrating interdisciplinarity, academic, intellectual, and personal growth while maintaining a cohesive narrative throughout.
The first prize award includes a certificate and cash prize of $150; the second prize award includes a certificate and cash prize of $100. Submissions can only be made by Asian Studies, Chinese, or Japanese Senior majors. This is an award for achievements that are different from distinction and although students who apply for the Founders’ Prize may also apply for Distinction, it would be unusual for them to receive both.
Submission of artifacts and essays should be sent, as combined or separate files, to the 2024-25 faculty advisors, Prof. Sungha Yun & Prof. Eric Becklin, by Friday, March 7, 2025. By March 14, 2025, the Asian Studies department will vote on the student submissions and will notify the winners of the decision. The first and second place winners will be announced and given their certificates and prizes on Monday, March 31, 2025.