Modern East Asian Studies – (M.A.)

Contents

1. Basic courses

During the introductory study phase in the first year, students with a degree in cultural studies with focus on Asia (Japanese, Chinese, Korean and South East Asia studies) will be introduced to the basics of economics, law and social sciences. Moreover, they are required to perfect their language skills in advanced courses in Japanese, Chinese, Korean or Indonesian. Students with a background in economics or social sciences take beginner courses in Japanese, Chinese, Korean or Indonesian. During one year of intensive language training, they are expected to acquire a basic proficiency in the language of their choice. The basic program continues with the course module "Skills and Competences" in the second winter term. In this module, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in methodologies and in theories of economics, law or social sciences or in the language of their choice.

2. Core program

The core lecture lies at the heart of the program. It starts in the first winter term and stretches over three consecutive terms. Students learn to apply economic, legal and socioscientific theories and concepts on Asia. In addition, students are required to participate in the "Young Scholars Forum", a paper reading course which focuses on interdisciplinary group work on current economic, legal and socioscientific topics in Asia. During the forum, which stretches over the summer and the following winter term, students are required to engage in group work.

3. Electives

During the entire Master program, students have the choice between a variety of elective courses on special problems and phenomena encountered in Asian countries. The variety of electives allows students to specialize in a certain area of interest. Students can substitute one elective module for participation in a Summer School offered either by Goethe University Frankfurt or one of the various partner institutions of the program.

4. Master´s Thesis

The fourth and last term of the M.A. program is dedicated to the Master´s Thesis. In their respective theses on an economic, legal or socio-scientific topic with focus on East Asia, students are required to display their methodological and theoretical knowledge acquired in the program in a manner that satisfies high academic standards. The work on the thesis is accompanied by a colloquium in which students are expected to present their findings to their student fellows and the core faculty of the MEAS.