Our teaching

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About

Teaching at The College of Humanities is interdisciplinary and has equipped generations of SOAS students with the skills to address complex problems from different perspectives.

Studying in the College of Humanities at SOAS is unique in the UK. We go beyond the study of non-European languages, cultures, and histories solely from a ‘Western’ perspective. Our interdisciplinary humanities curriculum has equipped generations of SOAS humanities students with the skills to address complex problems from different perspectives, and this is reflected in the varied and impactful careers of our alumni.

Academics here are renowned experts in their fields, teaching a variety of modules from literature in the Middle East, Taoist thought or the cinemas and popular cultures of Asia. Our classrooms are multicultural environments, and we boast a vibrant community of learners and teachers from across the world.

"We are dedicated to the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and offer a depth and breadth that is still unusual after 100 years.

Our degrees question eurocentrism, debunk orientalist structures and are truly decolonised. They open the mind to the world beyond."

— Dr Griseldis Kirsch, College Learning and Teaching Convenor

Our academics

Within our College community, we proudly host over 100 academics representing 30 countries, each bringing their unique expertise spanning a wide array of disciplines and topics.

Meet our academics

Our schools

School of Arts

The School of Arts is a world-leading centre for study and research involving visual and sound arts, material and intangible cultures, media industries and digital cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures

Our expertise in the languages and cultures of East Asia will open the doors to one of the most economically vibrant and culturally exciting regions of the world.

School of History, Religions and Philosophies

The School specialises in teaching and researching the history, religion, and philosophy of the Global South in a critical, decolonial, and interdisciplinary manner.

School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Our teaching and research use language and culture—both contemporary and traditional—as the principal lens through which to understand the regions of Africa, the Near and Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia.

Around the College

College of Humanities

The College of Humanities focus is on learning from, and seeking to understand the important and varied knowledge generated through creative arts, culture, history, linguistics, literature, media, philosophies and religions.

Our research

The College of Humanities brings together more than 300 researchers who study the arts, cultures, and languages of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and their diasporas.

Contact us

Email: humanities@soas.ac.uk
Social media: Visit the Twitter page

Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, College of Humanities & School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Why Studio Ghibli is so popular and how it exports Japanese culture

Masami, a BA East Asian Studies student, delves into factors contributing to Studio Ghibli's international success and how the films may influence global perceptions of Japan.

13 March 2024

Crisis of Masculinity in 'Curiosity Kills the Cat' (2006, dir. Zhang Yibai) and 'Fireworks Wednesday' (2006, dir. Asghar Farhadi)

Looking at one Chinese film and another Iranian, Chinese film 'Curiosity Kills the Cat' and Iranian film 'Fireworks Wednesday', this presentation brings into dialogue the differing but overlapping experiences of men and women to nuance our understanding of women’s agency in the Global South.

Department of History of Art and Archaeology, School of Arts & College of Humanities

School of Arts Professor-PhD candidate duo join Copenhagen workshop and exhibition

Professor Ashley Thompson and PhD Candidate Seng Sonetra joined colleagues and artists at the University of Copenhagen on March 25, 2024 for a workshop and exhibition devoted to exploring cultural heritage, archives and museum collections in conflict and post-conflict times.