BA East Asian Studies
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-10 | - |
| 2024-01-16 | - |
| 2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
The BA East Asian Studies combines the study of both East Asian languages and East Asia-related subjects in various disciplines.
In this degree, there is a far greater emphasis on gaining a broader understanding of East Asia as a region, across a wide range of disciplines, than in our region-based degrees.
In addition to the disciplinary modules, you will be also able to study a Chinese, Japanese or Korean language module each year. The flexible structure of the degree allows you to study a different language each year or to progress through a sequence of levels in just one language. We can accommodate complete beginners or more experienced learners.
Progression through a total of four levels of language (up to approximately C1 in the CEFR) is offered, whereas for those who exceed the highest level, language-based modules in literature and film, as well as a language-based dissertation, are available.
Why study East Asian Studies at SOAS?
Program Outline
Students take 120 credits per year composed of core, compulsory and guided modules.
Year 1:
students take 30 credits of East Asian history, 15 credits of academic writing, 30-60 credits of language, and 15 to 45 credits of popular culture.Year 2:
student continue with language learning, either on the same language as studied in Year 1 or on another East Asian language module at an approved level. Modules on culture, history, literature are also available this year.Year 3:
student continue with language learning, either on the same language studies previously or on another East Asian language module at an approved level. Student will write an Independent Study Project in their final year. Further modules on culture, history, literature are also available this year.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Year 1
Core modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Reading and Writing East Asian Studies |
15 |
Year 1
Compulsory module
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
East Asian Civilizations |
30 |
Year 1
Language modules
Students will take 30-60 credits of language modules form the list below.
Students may take the 60 credit language in year 1 only. This will enable them to transfer to the language programme and go on a year abroad.
Year 1
Guided options
Students will take 15-45 credits from the Year 1 options list below
Note
Students may take the 60-credit language module in year 1 to enable them to transfer to the BA Chinese/BA Japanese/BA Korean (single and joint honours) in accordance with the language studied intensively. This will enable students to go on a year abroad in year 3. Students need to submit a degree transfer request by the appropriate deadline as published on the website to be eligible to go abroad.
Students are not permitted to take two ab initio language modules at the same time.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
China in Ten Words: Key Concepts in Chinese Studies |
15 |
|
K-Culture |
15 |
|
Cool Japan: Manga, Anime, Sushi |
15 |
Year 2
Compulsory modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
East Asian Imperialisms |
15 |
|
Myths, Legends and Folkways of East Asia |
15 |
And
30-45 credits from the list below:
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Contemporary Chinese Society |
15 |
|
Contemporary Japanese Society |
15 |
|
Contemporary Korean Society |
15 |
Year 2
Language modules
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from the language list below
Year 2
Guided options
Students choose 30 credits of language from the list below
And
Either
30 credits of another language from the list below
Or
Up to 30 credits from List A or the Central Options bank
Note
Students are not permitted to take two ab initio language modules at the same time.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
History and Memory in East Asian Cultures |
15 |
|
Independent Study Project in East Asian Studies |
30 |
Year 3
Language modules
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from the language list below
Year 3
Guided options
Students should choose 30 credits of language from the list below
And
Up to 45 credits from List B and/or the language list below.
Note
Students are not permitted to take two ab initio language modules at the same time.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
China in Ten Words: Key Concepts in Chinese Studies |
15 |
|
K-Culture |
15 |
|
Cool Japan: Manga, Anime, Sushi |
15 |
List A
Guided option modules
Please note: Introduction to Pre-Modern Japanese; Classical and Literary Chinese 1; and Introduction to Hanja can only be taken with the relevant modern language component (and permission).
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Fieldwork methods in language and culture |
15 |
|
Gender in East Asian Literature (UG) |
15 |
|
East Asian Cinema (UG) |
15 |
|
Introduction to Pre-Modern Japanese |
15 |
|
Classical and Literary Chinese 1 |
15 |
|
Introduction to Hanja |
15 |
List B
Guided option modules
Some modules below may have a language requirement.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Chinese Cinema (UG) |
15 |
|
Culture and Society of Taiwan |
15 |
|
Literature, Politics and National Identity in Modern China |
15 |
|
Japanese Cinema (UG) |
15 |
|
Writing from the Margins: Minority and "Outsider" Texts in Modern Japanese Literature |
15 |
|
Modernity, Nation and Identity in Japanese History (1853-1945) |
15 |
|
Culture and Society in Traditional Korea |
15 |
|
Trajectories of Modernity in Korean Literature and Film |
15 |
|
The Other Korea: North Korea since 1945 |
15 |
Language modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Ch 100: Elementary Chinese |
60 |
|
Chinese 1 A |
15 |
|
Chinese 1 B |
15 |
|
Chinese 2 |
30 |
|
Chinese 3 |
30 |
|
Chinese 4 |
30 |
|
Chinese 5 |
15 |
|
Ch 200 Intermediate Chinese |
30 |
|
Chinese for Business |
15 |
|
Ch 401: Chinese-English Translation |
15 |
|
Japanese 1 A |
15 |
|
Japanese 1 B |
15 |
|
Japanese 2 |
30 |
|
Japanese 3 |
30 |
|
Japanese 4 |
30 |
|
J200: Intermediate Japanese (30Cr) |
30 |
|
J401: Japanese-English Translation |
15 |
|
K100: Elementary Korean |
60 |
|
Korean 1 A |
15 |
|
Korean 1 B |
15 |
|
Korean 2 |
30 |
|
Korean 3 |
30 |
|
Korean 4 |
30 |
|
K200 Intermediate Korean |
30 |
|
K400: Advanced Korean |
15 |
|
K401: Korean-English Translation |
15 |
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of
120 credits per year
, in modules of 60, 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are taught over one term or the full year. It also shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional.Contact hours
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.
Year abroad
The BA East Asian Studies does not include a year abroad.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library
is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.Graduates from the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures develop competencies in intercultural awareness, analysis and communication. Demand for specialists with advanced proficiency in the languages of China, Japan and Korea has significantly increased in recent years, and graduates with these skills are highly sought after by employers.
Recent graduates have been hired by organisations including:
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