Overview

The MA Chinese Studies provides an exceptional opportunity to take advantage of the wide range of disciplinary approaches to the study of Chinese societies available at e main emphasis is on modern and contemporary China, although it is also possible to study aspects of pre-Modern addition to the courses on offer, students develop their own particular area of specialisation by writing a dissertation in their major discipline.

When applying, applicants are asked to specify their preferred major subject, and asked to give an alternative as practical considerations such as time tabling and availability of courses may limit freedom of choice. Once enrolled, students have two weeks to finalise their choice of subjects and have the opportunity of sampling a variety of subjects through attending lectures etc.

Learning Outcomes

Student will acquire specialist knowledge on the following key areas:

• How to assess data and evidence critically from manuscripts and digital sources, solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations, locate materials, use research sources (particularly research library catalogues) and other relevant traditional sources.
• To obtain a theoretical grounding in one of the several disciplines offered as part of degree: Anthropology, art& archaeology ,economics ,history, law,literature,media,music,politics or religion& philosophy.
• To obtain an empirical grounding of the disciplines cited above as they relate specifically to the study of China
• To develop a critical understanding of other disciplines–in their theoretical and empirical dimensions–through Minor courses.
• To acquire/develop skills in Chinese language at any of these levels:Basic1(absolute beginner),Basic2(beginner),Intermediate or Advanced.

Intellectual (thinking) Skills

• Critical evaluation of source material: students should become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence, and to understand through practice what document scan and cannot tell us.
• Critical evaluation of previous scholarship: students should question interpretations, however authoritative, and reassess evidence for themselves.
• Critical attitude toward euro-centristic approaches: Students will acquire a sensitivity to non-euro-centric perspectives on a range of intellectual problems in the Anthropology, art & archaeology,economics,history,law,literature,media,music,politics or religion & philosophy of China.

Employment

A postgraduate degree in China and Inner Asia studies from SOAS equips students with essential skills such as competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law.

Postgraduate students gain linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research or to seek professional and management careers in business, public and charity sectors. They leave SOAS with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek, including written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.