Instruction in Manchu is available on a regular basis at Harvard through courses offered in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Courses are open to undergraduates and graduate students alike. The basic curriculum is 2 years in length, with the beginning level offered in alternate years. The first year (Manchu A and Manchu B) introduces the writing system and grammar, while the second year (Manchu 120A and Manchu 120B) consists of intensive reading in a range of texts, including the unpointed script. Manchu 300 is a directed reading course for advanced students.
In addition, a year-long research seminar in Manchu studies (Manchu 210A and 210B) is offered every three years. A prerequisite for this course is good ability in both classical Chinese and classical Manchu. A reading knowledge of Japanese is also recommended.
Harvard is the only institution in North America to teach Manchu on a regular basis. It has done so since 1966, when Joseph Fletcher first offered such a course.