MA Japanese Literature
Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)
Overview
Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), plus linguistic competence in Japanese
Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time
This programme covers both pre-modern and modern literatures of Japan. It includes the study of literary works written in the original languages, as well as an introduction to literary theory.
This degree is designed either as an end qualification in itself or to prepare the student for more advanced graduate work (MPhil/PhD).
Incoming students will be expected to have completed the equivalent of the first two years of undergraduate language study at SOAS in Japanese.
Email: ag4@soas.ac.uk
Structure
Learn a language as part of this programme
Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.
Students are required to complete three compulsory courses and a language option, as well as a 10,000 word dissertation. The compulsory courses include two half-unit literature courses using Japanese texts in English translation. Students select one language option from the list below as a minor subject.
Compulsory courses
- Japanese Traditional Drama (Masters) - 15PEAH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Modern Japanese Literature (Masters) - 15PEAH012 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Theory and techniques of Comparative Literature - 15PCSC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Language options (students choose one unit only)
- Readings in Pre-Modern Japanese Literature (Masters) - 15PJKC005 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Readings in Modern Japanese Literature - 15PJKC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Practical Translation: English into Japanese - 15PJKH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Practical Translation: Japanese into English - 15PJKH003 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Dissertation
10,000 words based on Japanese and Western sources on a topic agreed in conjunction with advisor.
Programme Specification
Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
The taught part of the course consists of core lectures introducing basic concepts, theory and methodology; and additional seminars that extend the core material into other areas. At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work where students may be expected to make full-scale presentations for units they take.A 10,000-word dissertation written over the summer offers students the opportunity to develop original research in an area of special interest.
Learning Resources
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.
Destinations
A postgraduate degree in MA Japanese Literature from SOAS provides students with 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, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. Graduates of this programme will develop their ability to engage with and explore relationships between indigenous aesthetics of the region and contemporary literary theories. Some graduates leave SOAS to pursue careers directly related to their study area, while others have made use of the intellectual training for involvement in analysing and solving many of the problems that contemporary societies now face.
Postgraduate students gain linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research or to seek professional and management careers in the 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 in Japanese Literature 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.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
How to apply
How to apply
- How to Apply
- Online Application
- Funding options
- English language requirements
- Tuition Fees
- Admissions Contacts
Scholarships
For further information visit the Scholarships section
D.G.E. Hall Scholarship
Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 00:00
Felix Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2013-01-31 00:00
A Student's Perspective
Alice YuenStudying Japanese and Korean at SOAS has been an excellent experience for me. Apart from learning about the languages, I have also had great opportunities to study a wide range of topics in the fields of Japanese and Korean literacy, history and society.
