Department of East Asian Studies -- New York University

The M.A. program is integral and preparatory to the PhD. After successful completion of 32 points of credit in courses selected in consultation with a faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, the student must pass a written examination that will be prepared and read by two members of the faculty. They must also submit a research paper on an approved special project; the paper will be read by two members of the faculty. In addition, a student must take the 2nd part of the general examination in his or her chosen area of research by the end of the 2rd year. The form of the 2nd examination can be either a 3-hour take-home exam or a two-hour oral exam. When the paper has been accepted, and the student has successfully passed the 2nd part of general examination, the student will be awarded an M.A.

The program requires demonstrated student acquisition of one language other than English. As a rule, this language must be Chinese, Japanese or Korean and attainment must be at a high level of proficiency. While it is ideally preferable for students to develop research competence in at least two East Asian languages, students can also use an European language as their second language.

Students are normally expected to enter the program with at least three years of an East Asian language at the college level. They will be expected to be examined for proficiency some time before they take their general examination, and each student will be required to complete a graduate reading/translation course taught by a faculty member or language lecturer involved in the graduate curriculum.

In the 1st year the student should take two to four language courses toward fulfilling the language requirements; one course from the Seminar on East Asian Studies series; one course from the Theory and Methodology Seminars; and other courses in his or her chosen field. At the end of the 1st year, the student is required to complete a research paper based on the completion of two seminars, which addresses the theoretical-historical questions concerning the field of East Asian Culture. This paper, which takes the form of a take-home exam, is separate from the term papers required by each course and constitutes the 1st part of the general examination. Two members of the faculty (one of whom is the student’s advisor) will grade the examination. In the event of a failed performance, the student will be permitted to retake the examination after consultation with his/her advisor.

During the 2nd year of study, the student is required to fulfill the language requirements, including requirement in a second East Asian language and/or a major European language by either enrolling in language or non-language courses offered in Chinese or Japanese. The bulk of the course work during the 2nd year, however, should be taken in the student’s chosen field under various specialized “topics” (in Chinese literature, Chinese history, Japanese literature, Japanese history, etc.) A total of four topics courses must be taken within the student’s chosen field. The student is advised to take the 2nd part of the general examination in his or her chosen area of research by the end of the 2rd year. The student will advance to candidacy upon successful completion of this examination. The topic is usually limited to a national literature or history, but with special permission from the faculty adviser, the student can choose to be examined in an international movement (i.e. fascism) or a literary-cultural phenomenon (i.e. modernism or “New Cinema”) which cuts cross the national borders. The examination may be theoretical-oriented and interdisciplinary in nature, but the purpose is to ensure the student’s readiness for the job market, which is still divided by national and disciplinary boundaries. A 3-member faculty committee (including the student’s advisor) will be formed for each student taking the second exam. The student and the advisor will decide the formation of the committee after consultation. Questions will be based on a bibliography and a statement of teaching interest submitted by the student. The form of the 2nd examination can be either a 3-hour take-home exam or a two-hour oral exam.

Complete 8-16 points in language courses
Complete one course in “Seminars in East Asian Culture”
Complete one course in “Contemporary Critical Theory”
Take the first part of the general exam on theory and methodology in
East Asian Culture.

Satisfy all language requirements in East Asian Culture
Take one or two courses to meet the requirement for a European or East Asian language
Take up to four courses in the “Topics” series in the chosen research field
Prepare for the second part of the general exam on the teaching field.
Submit and successfully have accepted a research paper on an approved special project.
Successfully pass the second part of the general examination.
Receive MA by the end of the third semester.

Admission is based on the applicant’s previous record, general ability, and promise. The typical applicant will have an undergraduate background in the study of East Asia and or previous experience in East Asia itself. The GRE general test score is required. Although knowledge of an East Asian language is not a prerequisite, such training will be taken into consideration. For international applicants whose language of college education is not English, TOEFL is required.


	Address: 715 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10003 \| Tel. 212-998-7620 \| Fax. 212-995-4682	2003 NYU Department of East Asian Studies