East Asian Studies BA

at University of Sheffield

Modules

Year 1:
 

In your first year, you will take a core module in Exploring East Asia to enable you to understand the regional context and the links - geographical, historical, cultural, social and political - between the East Asian states; and a choice of modules on the Critical Analysis of texts about East Asia, to enable you to interpret and utilise scholars' writings about East Asia.
 

Through optional modules you will aslo be able to explore China, Japan and Korea in more detail or take up an East Asian language module.
 

Core module:

• Exploring East Asia

Approved modules:

You will take 4 understanding China/Japan/Korea modules to suit your individual interests.

• History and Culture in China
• Politics, Economy and Society in China
• History and Culture in Japan
• Politics, Economy and Society in Japan
• History and Culture in Korea
• Politics, Economy and Society in Korea

Guided Modules

Through guided modules you will have the option to take a non-specialist East Asian lanaguage module, listed below, or chose from a list of guided moduels from departments across the univeristy

• Japanese for Non-Specialists 1
• Chinese for Non-Specialists I
• Korean for Non-Specialists 1
• Japanese for Non-Specialists 2
• Chinese for Non-Specialists II
• Korean for Non-Specialists 2
   

Year 2:
 

In your second year, you will be able to choose from a range of modules with a focus on the disciplinary study of East Asia, to enable you to understand the different approaches taken to the region by historians, political scientists, and sociologists, among others.
 

You will also have the opportunity to visit the East Asia region for a short period to conduct in-country research as part of our East Asian Fieldwork module. 
 

Core modules:

• East Asian Fieldwork
• Gender and Identities in East Asia
• Mass Culture and Digital Society in East Asia

Approved modules:

You will chose one of the following modules approved East Asian Studies modules.

• Chinese Business and Management
• Contemporary Japanese Society
• Understanding Contemporary North Korea
• Environment and Development of the Japanese Islands
• History of Korean Popular Music
• East Asian Cinema
• Modern Chinese History: Beyond Revolution
• Postwar Japanese Politics
• Modern Japanese History
• Contemporary Korean Society
• Experiencing 'Japan' through Literary Texts
• Contemporary Chinese Society and Culture
• Population and Environment in China

Guided modules

You will take up to 40 credits from the following East Asian language modules and a list of guided modules available from departmetns across the university.

• Japanese for Non-Specialists 3
• Korean for Non-Specialists 3
• Chinese for Non-Specialists III
• Japanese for Non-Specialists 4
• Korean for Non-Specialists 4
• Chinese for Non-Specialists IV
   

Year 3:
 

In your final year, you will be able to choose from a wide range of specialised research seminar modules, to enable you to join your lecturers in the most up-to-date study of East Asia. This will support an important component of your degree will be a dissertation on a topic of your choice relating to one or more East Asian countries. You will work on the dissertation over the course of the year with a supervisor from the department, using the analytical skills you have developed through your studies in earlier years to produce a high-quality piece of research.
 

Core module:

• East Asian Dissertation
• Researching East Asia 1

Approved modules:

You will take one of the following research focused modules

• Researching China 1
• Researching Japan 1
• Researching Korea 1

Guided modules

You will take up to 40 credits from the following East Asian language and research modules and a list of guided modules available from departmetns across the university.

• Japanese for Non- Specialists 5
• China Research Project 1
• Japan Research Project 1
• Korea Research Project 1
• East Asia Research Project 1
   

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:

• BBB
   

A Levels + additional qualifications BBB + B in a relevant EPQ
 

International Baccalaureate 32
 

BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in a relevant subject
 

BTEC Diploma DD + B at A Level
 

Scottish Highers AABBB
 

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + BB
 

Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction and 21 at Merit

 

Other requirements

• Evidence of interest in East Asia demonstrated through the personal statement is required
   

English language requirements 
 

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Home students
£9,250

Overseas students
£22,520
 

Additional costs

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Studying China, Japan or Korea prepares you for a career in the world's most dynamic region. There are also many opportunities across Europe for people with skills in Asian languages and cultures.
 

Our graduates work in government and diplomacy, media and the arts, non-government organisations and international business - in professions as diverse as management consultancy, accountancy, marketing, research, language teaching and translation.