MA/MS in Modern Asian Studies

Objective(s) of a study programme: The aim of the study programme is to educate professionals of contemporary Asian cultures in possession of high intercultural competences and ability to work efficiently in the global multicultural society and resolve problems that issue therein based on interdisciplinary research, foster values of diversity in thinking and acting. Learning outcomes: Understanding similarities and differences between areas of the world; Knowledge of key methods and concepts of contributory disciplines and interdisciplinary formations of Area studies; Knowledge of the dynamics of social change in Area studies; The ability to compare and contrast the appropriateness of different disciplinary approaches in an examination of the region-specific or transregional Asian cultures; The ability to critically engage with the contemporary area-specific culture from an interdisciplinary approach, including cultural, gender, visual, and postcolonial studies; The ability to use and critically interrogate primary and secondary written (in translation) and visual sources; The ability to conduct problem-oriented research; The ability to compare and contrast ideas and concepts from different disciplinary surroundings; Work independently and in a team, demonstrated in time management and critical reflection upon the scope and limitations of achievements; Lead the problem-oriented discussion; Communicate ideas with coherence and persuasiveness, and analyse issues in the light of evidence and argument; Synthesise information, adopt critical appraisals and develop reasoned argument based on such appraisals; Resolve problems. Activities of teaching and learning: The style of teaching/learning is focused on the dynamic roles of both teachers and learners: interactive lectures, seminars, group work, case studies; individual/team presentations; thought-provoking and challenging assignments; ongoing assessment. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The main form of evaluation is an examination. However, courses units may be evaluated by the pass/fail evaluation as well. Every course unit is concluded with either a written or written-oral examination or pass/fail evaluation. Student's knowledge and general performance during the exam are evaluated using grading scale from 1 (very poor) to 10 (excellent), or by pass or fail evaluation in the cases when pass/fail evaluation is foreseen as a final evaluation of the course unit. Study subjects (modules), practical training: The programme is made-up of the following course unite groups and corresponding subjects: 1. Area studies and intercultural communication (Theories of Area Studies; Theories of Intercultural Communication), 2. Cultural studies (Cultural Psychology; Visual Culture of Asia; Cultural Identity in Asian Literature; Popular Culture in East Asia; Oriental Hermeneutics and Textology; Socio-Cultural Transformations in Contemporary East Asia), 3. Gender studies (Theory of Gender Studies; Gender Relations in East Asia), 4. Postcolonial studies (Methodologies of Postcolonial Studies). Distinctive features of a study programme: The programme applies to the study of culture as social phenomenon in modern and contemporary east and South Asia rather than its historically and geographically specific developments. The programme is of interdisciplinary nature and explicitly integrates a range of academic fields, such as cultural, gender, postcolonial, and visual studies relevant to the subject-area. Access to professional activity: A graduate can be employed at governmental, business and non-governmental organizations at local and international level in the fields of culture, science and education, military defence or politics, especially those in cooperation with the Asian countries, as middle or senior specialist of various levels. Access to further study: Graduates can enrol in doctoral studies in area studies and other trends of humanities and social sciences.