Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September 2018
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Who is this programme for?:
The two-year language pathway is directed at students who want to engage with South East Asia in a professional as well as academic way, as the intensive language module would enable them to reach a good level of proficiency in one of the four languages; Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese. The summer between the first and second year of study is spent in the region following an intensive language module.
In the two-year pathway, students can take intensive South East Asian language with either MA South East Asian Studies, MA History, MA Religions of Asian and Africa, MA Medical Anthropology, MA Anthropological Research Methods, MA Migration and Diaspora Studies.
Entry requirements
- duration:
- 2 year pathway: full time (2 years) or part time (4 years)
May be combined with:
Anthropology
History
Linguistics
Religions and Philosophies
- MA Religions of Asia and Africa
South East Asian Studies
- MA South East Asian Studies
Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation in the selected discipline as outlined below.
In their first year, students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad. In the second year, they take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.
There are four languages available: Burmese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai. For each of these, there are two pathways: Beginners and Intermediate.
For information on the programme structure for the four-year part-time version of the programme, please see the pdf pathway specifications at the bottom of the page.
Please see the relevant web pages for information on the discipline parts of the programme.
Two Years Beginner
Year 1 (two years full time)
SEA Language Component
30 credits of SEA language at appropriate level.
Plus
Discipline Component
Students take a total of 75 credits in the selected discipline.
Summer Abroad
Students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language.
Year 2 (two years full time)
SEA Language Component
30 credits of SEA language at appropriate level.
Discipline Component
Students take a total of 75 credits in the selected discipline.
Dissertation
Students complete a 60-credit dissertation in the selected discipline.
Two Years Intermediate
Year 1 (two years full time)
SEA Language Component
30 credits of SEA language at appropriate level.
Plus
Discipline Component
Students take a total of 75 credits in the selected discipline.
Summer Abroad
Students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language.
Year 2 (two years full time)
SEA Language Component
30 credits of SEA language at appropriate level.
Burmese
Indonesian
Choice of module depending on ability.
Thai
Choice of module depending on ability.
Vietnamese
Discipline Component
Students take a total of 50 credits in the selected discipline.
Dissertation
Students complete a 60-credit dissertation in the selected discipline.
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
Contact Hours
One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. 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. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.
More information is on the page for each module.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
- How to locate and evaluate data from a variety of sources.
- Knowledge of aspects of the region, such as its history, politics, economics, arts, religions etc.
- Subject specific skills, such as an awareness of current critical thinking in a specific field, and the acquisition of language skills, intensive in the case of the 2-year MA.
Intellectual (thinking) skills
- Development of precision and caution in assessing evidence.
- Development of critical awareness and independence of thought.
- Sensitivity to the existence of non-Eurocentric views and an awareness of the limitations of purely Eurocentric interpretations.
- Awareness of the value of a South East Asian language in understanding the culture of a specific country within the region.
Subject-based practical skills
- Development of written communication skills
- Development of oral communication skills
- Development of research skills
- Development of language skills
Transferable skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to access and assess information from both traditional and electronic sources
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to interact with native speakers of the language at an appropriate level.
