MA Taiwan Studies

Program Overview

The MA Taiwan Studies program at SOAS is a unique postgraduate degree that provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary Taiwan in its historical and global context. Taught by world-leading experts, the program offers an interdisciplinary approach covering politics, society, culture, cinema, political economy, and international relations. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in academia, government, business, journalism, or NGOs working on Taiwan-related issues.

Program Outline

MA Taiwan Studies

Degree Overview: The MA Taiwan Studies program is a unique postgraduate degree focusing on contemporary Taiwan in the English-speaking world. It provides an unparalleled program of advanced interdisciplinary courses on Taiwan’s politics, society and culture, cinema, political economy, and international relations.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a deep understanding of contemporary Taiwan in its historical and global context.
• To equip students with the critical and analytical skills needed to research, analyze, and interpret complex issues related to Taiwan.
• To prepare students for careers in academia, government, business, journalism, or NGOs working on Taiwan-related issues.

Program Features:

• The first and only postgraduate degree focusing on contemporary Taiwan in the English-speaking world.
• Taught by world-leading experts in Taiwan Studies.
• Interdisciplinary approach covering politics, society, culture, cinema, political economy, and international relations.
• Strong focus on research methods and critical analysis.
• Opportunities for internships and study abroad in Taiwan.

Outline:

Structure:

• Students take 180 credits, 60 of which are a dissertation and a 120 from taught modules.
• Students will take 60 credits of core modules from List A.
• A further 60 credits can be selected from List B (with a maximum of 30 credits in language) or from the postgraduate open option list.

Core Modules (List A):

• New Taiwan Cinema and Beyond (15 credits)
• Elections, Social Movements and Gender in Taiwan (15 credits)

Optional Modules (List B):

• Literature, Politics and National Identity in Modern China (15 credits)
• East Asian Cinema (15 credits)
• Contemporary Chinese Society (15 credits)
• Gender in East Asian Literature (15 credits)
• Economic development in the Asia Pacific region (15 credits)
• Nationhood and Competing Identities in Modern China (15 credits)
• Modernity, Nation and Identity in Japanese History (1853-1945) (15 credits)
• Fieldwork methods in language and culture (15 credits)
• Myths, Legends and Folkways of East Asia (15 credits)
• Japanese Cinema (15 credits)
• Comparing Democracies in North East Asia (15 credits)
• International Security Politics in East Asia (15 credits)
• Political Economies of Northeast Asia: Japan, Korea and Taiwan (15 credits)
• State and Society in the Chinese Political Process 1 (15 credits)

Language Options (List C):

• Chinese 3 (30 credits)
• Chinese 2 (30 credits)
• Chinese 4 (30 credits)
• Chinese 5 (15 credits)
• Classical and Literary Chinese 1 (15 credits)

Assessment: Assessment methods vary depending on the module and may include essays, presentations, exams, and a dissertation.

Teaching: Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and individual supervision. The program is taught by world-leading experts in Taiwan Studies.

Careers: Graduates of the MA Taiwan Studies program are well-prepared for careers in academia, government, business, journalism, or NGOs working on Taiwan-related issues.

Career examples:

• Academic researcher
• Policy analyst
• Journalist
• NGO worker
• Business consultant

Other:

• The Centre of Taiwan Studies at SOAS is the most active Taiwan Studies program in the world, holding a rich program of Taiwan-related events.
• SOAS is also the world’s leading center for Taiwan Studies publications, hosting the Routledge Research on Taiwan book series and International Journal of Taiwan Studies.
• Students have the opportunity to meet many of the key figures on their Taiwan class reading lists at the program’s events.

Home student fees: £12,220 per year Overseas student fees: £25,320 per year Please note that fees go up each year.