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Comparative Literature (Africa/Asia) – (M.A.)
School of Oriental and African Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
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| Application Deadline: | June 30 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 5,641 - ≈ € 15,134 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | London / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of School of Oriental and African Studies
The opportunity to move from the familiar Euro-American literary canons into the fresh but less well known worlds of African and Asian literature is what attracts most students to this popular MA.
At SOAS, students benefit from the unique expertise in this vast field possessed by the school’s faculty.
This expertise is available to students interested in studying these literatures through English - including both original English language literatures of Africa and Asia and literature written in African and Asian languages presented through English translations.
While exploring new horizons and breaking out of the Euro-centric space in which comparative literature has developed so far, the course covers the major theoretical contributions made by Western scholars.
In doing so, it constructs a unique multi-cultural domain for the study of literature and its location in culture and society.
A prior knowledge of an African or Asian language is not a requirement for admission to this degree.
Contents
All students are required to take the core course in their first year. Two other courses, one major, one minor, plus a dissertation of 10,000 words must also be completed.
Core Course
- Theory and Techniques of Comparative Literature (15PSAC279)
English Based Options
- Japanese Traditional Drama (half-unit term 1) (15PEAH013)
- Modern Japanese Literature (half-unit term 2) (15PEAH012)
- Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (15PCHC002)
- Modern Chinese Film and Theatre (half-unit term 1) (15PCHH001)
- Modern Film From Taiwan and the Chinese Diaspora (half-unit term 2)(15PCHH002)
- Traditional Chinese Literature in Translation (15PCHC004)
- Literatures in African Languages (15PAFC124)
- Travelling Africa: Writing the Cape to Cairo (15PAFC139)
- Aspects of African Film and Video 1 (15PAFH006)
- Aspects of African Film and Video 2 (15PAFH007)
- Survey of Korean Literature (15PEAC054)
- Literatures of South Asia (15PSAC284)
- Postcolonial Theory & Practice (15PSAC019)
- Post Crisis Thai Cinema (1997-2007) (half-unit term 2) (15PSEH008)
- Southeast Asia on screen (half-unit) (15PSEH004) (not available 2010-11)
- War, Revolution, Independence in South East Asian Fiction (Masters) (half-unit term 1) (15PSEH009) (AVAILABLE AS A MAJOR) (not available 2010-11)
- Postcolonialism and Otherness in South East Asia on Screen (half-unit term 2) (15PSEH010) (AVAILABLE AS A MAJOR)
- Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film (half-unit term 2) (15PSEH011) (AVAILABLE AS A MAJOR) (not available 2010-11)
- Modern Arabic Literature and the West (15PNMC002)
- Japanese Transnational Cinema: From Kurosawa to Asia Extreme and Studio Ghibli (half-unit term 1) (15PEAH008)
- Japanese Post-War Film Genres and the Avant-garde (half-unit term 2) (15PEAH009)
- Indian Cinema: its history and social context (half-unit term 1) (15PSAH001)
- Indian Cinema: key issues (half-unit term 2) (15PSAH002)
- Topics in Korean Literature (15PEAC025)
- The Novel in Swahili (15PARC014) (not available 2010-11)
- Social and Political Trends in Nineteenth Century Turkish Literature (15PNMC373)
- Selected Topics in Twentieth Century Turkish Literature (15PNMC374)
- Social and Political Dimensions of Modern Arabic Literature (15PNMC347)
- Modern Palestinian Literature (15PNMC379)
- Sanskrit Literature (15PSAC003)
- Directed Readings in the Literature of a Modern South Asian Language (15PSAC016)
- Literature and Colonialism in North India (Masters) (half-unit term 1) (15PSAH005)
- Narratives of mobility in contemporary Hindi Literature (Masters) (half-unit term 2) (15PSAH006)
- The Thai Novel (15PSEC013)
- Contemporary Vietnamese Prose Fiction (15PSEC016)
- Modern Vietnamese Poetry (15PSEC017)
ONE of the following options taught at UCL may be taken as a MINOR:
- Modern Literary Theory (17CLIT0001)
- Translation Studies (17CLIT0002)
- Practice and Methodology of Comparative Literature (17CLIT0007)
Students interested in taking one of the UCL options should contact Ms Patrizia Oliver on patrizia.oliver@ucl.ac.uk
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)
English language requirements
In order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.
Score for Unconditional Entry
- IELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scores
- TOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scores
- Pearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.0 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 105 |
Funding details
Scholarships and BursariesThere are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.
Loans
Another way to fund your studies is through educational loans. Some high street banks offer loans for education. The other option is a career development loan. Before taking out a loan ensure that you understand what the repayments will be and that you will be able to afford them.
Professional and Career Development LoansA Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan for UK students designed to help you pay for your course. Repayments start one month after you complete your course. You can borrow between £300 and £8,000. The bank will approve your loan according to your credit rating.
US Federal LoansEligible US students can apply for Stafford Federal Loans, Federal Plus and private loans to cover their tuition and maintenance costs.
The Registry Fees and Scholarship section can also certify student registration for other loans, such as Canadian educational loans.
Please contact:
- Registry Fees Section if you have any queries on educational loans or fees for degree courses.
- Noel Connaughton for fees information for occasional courses, certificates and diplomas.
- CEFIMS for fees information for distance learning courses.
Other Sources of Funding
Useful funding information can also be found at:
- Hotcourses Scholarship Search
- HERO funding information for research students
Interested? Request information!
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