BA Chinese

This module is designed for students who have no or limited knowledge of Chinese language. It is an integrated beginner’s module to introduce modern Chinese and aims at developing basic speaking, listening, reading, writing and translation skills.

This module is designed for students have completed Ch100 Elementary Chinese A. The module continues to introduce further Chinese features and aims at developing integrated skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing and translation to CEFR A2/B1 level.

This module is designed for students who have no or limited knowledge of Chinese language. It is an integrated beginners module to introduce modern Chinese and aims at developing basic speaking, listening, reading, writing and translation skills.

The module introduces students to the core academic skills they will use while studying at university. The module is designed to lay the foundation for students to develop into experts in their particular area. This includes fundamental academic skills such as finding, assessing and using resources and evidence in their research, writing for different audiences, and practical skills like attributing and referencing others work correctly. It also includes an introduction to the different ways East Asian Studies students can research the topics that interest them, laying the foundation for the dissertation work they will carry out in the third and fourth year of their degrees.

This module takes its title from the book China in Ten Words by contemporary Chinese novelist Yu Hua. It is designed to introduce students to a range of key concepts in the study of China and Chinese cultures.

This module introduces students to some of the major topics and approaches to the study of East Asian civilization, including rulership, religion, warfare, otherness, and gender, from prehistory to the 19th century.

This module takes its title from the book China in Ten Words by contemporary Chinese novelist Yu Hua. It is designed to introduce students to a range of key concepts in the study of China and Chinese cultures.

The intermediate module introduces further grammatical aspects of the modern Chinese language and aims at improving the students' all-round language skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing by mastering topics at suitable linguistic level. Students begin studying topics relevant to modern China, using authentic Chinese texts in an effort to better prepare to deal with original Chinese source materials. 

Japanese manga and anime, as well other popular products, have firmly taken hold of global popular culture. In addition, Japanese food, such as sushi and bento have become a staple for many busy people in London and elsewhere in the world, leading to the image of Japan as a cool country with great food. The Japanese government has therefore proclaimed the Cool Japan initiative in the effort to brand Japan and lift it to the public consciousness around the world. However, many of these images are formed by the media, some within Japan, some outside of Japan. Looking at Japan via the various channels of its consumption – manga, anime, media and food – this module aims to analyse how the various aspects of our ‘imagination of Japan’ come together, working outhow some of our stereotypes are formed. It will enable student to understand how the concept of ‘Japan’ came about. Students thinking of writing an ISP on popular culture/media or any other topic in relation to the topic of the module in their final year are strongly encouraged to enrol in it.

The module introduces students to the core academic skills they will use while studying at university. The module is designed to lay the foundation for students to develop into experts in their particular area. This includes fundamental academic skills such as finding, assessing and using resources and evidence in their research, writing for different audiences, and practical skills like attributing and referencing others work correctly. It also includes an introduction to the different ways East Asian Studies students can research the topics that interest them, laying the foundation for the dissertation work they will carry out in the third and fourth year of their degrees.

This module will examine the social and historical context of the recent boom in South Korea's popular culture, both domestically and internationally. It will look at the role of rapid economic development and the transition from dictatorship to democracy in providing the conditions for the creation of a ruthless and highly successful system of cultural production.

This module introduces students to some of the major topics and approaches to the study of East Asian civilization, including rulership, religion, warfare, otherness, and gender, from prehistory to the 19th century.

This module takes its title from the book China in Ten Words by contemporary Chinese novelist Yu Hua. It is designed to introduce students to a range of key concepts in the study of China and Chinese cultures.

This module supports students with their transition to Higher Education. It delves into the study of Humanities, with a focus on questions concerning the colonial genealogy of Humanities and the ways of decolonising Humanities, and skills acquired in the various disciplines in the college. Students learn to identify and describe the skills they acquire in this module and during their studies in the Humanities. Students are introduced to research, reading, listening, writing, performance and communication skills through multiple disciplinary lenses, addressing the planetary questions of this age. They compare different disciplinary approaches and are encouraged to reflect on interdisciplinary approaches to studying the Humanities, grounded in different regions. This enables students to make more informed decisions in the designing of their individual educational journey. Students practice their skills and reflect on their skills through real-world projects, drawing on critical content from all disciplines in the College of Humanities at SOAS.

This module takes its title from the book China in Ten Words by contemporary Chinese novelist Yu Hua. It is designed to introduce students to a range of key concepts in the study of China and Chinese cultures.

This module supports students with their transition to Higher Education. It delves into the study of Humanities, with a focus on questions concerning the colonial genealogy of Humanities and the ways of decolonising Humanities, and skills acquired in the various disciplines in the college. Students learn to identify and describe the skills they acquire in this module and during their studies in the Humanities. Students are introduced to research, reading, listening, writing, performance and communication skills through multiple disciplinary lenses, addressing the planetary questions of this age. They compare different disciplinary approaches and are encouraged to reflect on interdisciplinary approaches to studying the Humanities, grounded in different regions. This enables students to make more informed decisions in the designing of their individual educational journey. Students practice their skills and reflect on their skills through real-world projects, drawing on critical content from all disciplines in the College of Humanities at SOAS.

This is the first of a pair of modules that introduce students to some of the major topics and approaches in the study of East Asian civilization, from prehistorical times to the early modern era.
Taking a thematic approach, East Asian Civilizations A addresses the key issues of prehistory, rulership, religion, the world of sinographs, and otherness in China, Korea, and Japan. Together, these units give students a grounding in some of the major commonalities and intersections that exist across East Asia through to the early modern period, while also allowing them to see how local dynamics and priorities affected social and cultural forms in each state.

This module introduces students to key topics in global linguistic diversity, enabling students to put into a global context the language, region or culture that their degree programme focuses on.

This module introduces students to the history of the part of the world that was profoundly influenced by the Chinese cultural sphere through a gendered lens. Chronologically, it covers the periods of early state formation and the rise of the first unified empires, the centuries of political and religious plurality of the first centuries of the common era, and the heyday of Chinese civilization following the 'reunification' in the Sui/Tang and the social and economic transformations of the Song dynasty. We will look at this history through the experience of women from different walks of life and study how women were represented in different kinds of texts, from the Classics to biographies of exemplary women and tales of the strange. This perspective will provide a focused and engaging way to learn about the ideological foundations and hierarchical and patriarchal social structures that supported the expanding Chinese states.

This course introduces selected popular music cultures of the world, examining case studies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as diasporic and globalised styles. Each lecture will introduce: representative musical styles with their characteristic sounds, instruments and forms; the cultural contexts within which they have developed; relationships between music and global and local forces including political power structures, gender, nationalism, tourism and globalisation; the roles of musicians and those working in music industries; circumstances surrounding musical performance, recording and dissemination of music.

Japanese manga and anime, as well other popular products, have firmly taken hold of global popular culture. In addition, Japanese food, such as sushi and bento have become a staple for many busy people in London and elsewhere in the world, leading to the image of Japan as a cool country with great food. The Japanese government has therefore proclaimed the Cool Japan initiative in the effort to brand Japan and lift it to the public consciousness around the world. However, many of these images are formed by the media, some within Japan, some outside of Japan. Looking at Japan via the various channels of its consumption – manga, anime, media and food – this module aims to analyse how the various aspects of our ‘imagination of Japan’ come together, working outhow some of our stereotypes are formed. It will enable student to understand how the concept of ‘Japan’ came about. Students thinking of writing an ISP on popular culture/media or any other topic in relation to the topic of the module in their final year are strongly encouraged to enrol in it.

This module will examine the social and historical context of the recent boom in South Korea's popular culture, both domestically and internationally. It will look at the role of rapid economic development and the transition from dictatorship to democracy in providing the conditions for the creation of a ruthless and highly successful system of cultural production.

This is the first of a pair of modules that introduce students to some of the major topics and approaches in the study of East Asian civilization, from prehistorical times to the early modern era.
Taking a thematic approach, East Asian Civilizations A addresses the key issues of prehistory, rulership, religion, the world of sinographs, and otherness in China, Korea, and Japan. Together, these units give students a grounding in some of the major commonalities and intersections that exist across East Asia through to the early modern period, while also allowing them to see how local dynamics and priorities affected social and cultural forms in each state.

The second of a pair of modules, East Asian Civilizations B continues with a thematic approach to the study of premodern East Asia, with units on Buddhism, warfare, and gender, law, and hierarchy. The structure of the module encourages students to compare the civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan so that they can see their commonalities and intersections as well as identify the particularities of each that arose from local contexts.

This module introduces students to key topics in global linguistic diversity, enabling students to put into a global context the language, region or culture that their degree programme focuses on.

This module introduces students to the history of the part of the world that was profoundly influenced by the Chinese cultural sphere through a gendered lens. Chronologically, it covers the periods of early state formation and the rise of the first unified empires, the centuries of political and religious plurality of the first centuries of the common era, and the heyday of Chinese civilization following the 'reunification' in the Sui/Tang and the social and economic transformations of the Song dynasty. We will look at this history through the experience of women from different walks of life and study how women were represented in different kinds of texts, from the Classics to biographies of exemplary women and tales of the strange. This perspective will provide a focused and engaging way to learn about the ideological foundations and hierarchical and patriarchal social structures that supported the expanding Chinese states.

This course introduces selected popular music cultures of the world, examining case studies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as diasporic and globalised styles. Each lecture will introduce: representative musical styles with their characteristic sounds, instruments and forms; the cultural contexts within which they have developed; relationships between music and global and local forces including political power structures, gender, nationalism, tourism and globalisation; the roles of musicians and those working in music industries; circumstances surrounding musical performance, recording and dissemination of music.

Japanese manga and anime, as well other popular products, have firmly taken hold of global popular culture. In addition, Japanese food, such as sushi and bento have become a staple for many busy people in London and elsewhere in the world, leading to the image of Japan as a cool country with great food. The Japanese government has therefore proclaimed the Cool Japan initiative in the effort to brand Japan and lift it to the public consciousness around the world. However, many of these images are formed by the media, some within Japan, some outside of Japan. Looking at Japan via the various channels of its consumption – manga, anime, media and food – this module aims to analyse how the various aspects of our ‘imagination of Japan’ come together, working outhow some of our stereotypes are formed. It will enable student to understand how the concept of ‘Japan’ came about. Students thinking of writing an ISP on popular culture/media or any other topic in relation to the topic of the module in their final year are strongly encouraged to enrol in it.

This module will examine the social and historical context of the recent boom in South Korea's popular culture, both domestically and internationally. It will look at the role of rapid economic development and the transition from dictatorship to democracy in providing the conditions for the creation of a ruthless and highly successful system of cultural production.

The second of a pair of modules, East Asian Civilizations B continues with a thematic approach to the study of premodern East Asia, with units on Buddhism, warfare, and gender, law, and hierarchy. The structure of the module encourages students to compare the civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan so that they can see their commonalities and intersections as well as identify the particularities of each that arose from local contexts.

The intermediate module introduces further grammatical aspects of the modern Chinese language and aims at improving the students' all-round language skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing by mastering topics at suitable linguistic level. Students begin studying topics relevant to modern China, using authentic Chinese texts in an effort to better prepare to deal with original Chinese source materials. 

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 3B or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will consolidate grammar points, sentence structures and linking words at lower intermediate level and enable students to progress to intermediate level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write short texts, communicate on familiar topics; and function at Lower B2 of CEFR or Lower Band 6 of HSK.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 4A or equivalent. It will introduce more vocabulary, set expressions and linking words enabling students to progress in reading, writing and speaking from lower intermediate level to intermediate level.  Upon successful completion of this module, students are expected to be able to read and write texts on a wide range of subjects; interact with native speakers on familiar topics with a degree of fluency and function at B2 of CEFR or Band 6 of HSK.

This module is an introduction to the grammar and basic vocabulary of Classical Chinese, the standard written language of China from around the seventh century BCE through the early twentieth century CE. The majority of this module will be based on reading, translating, and discussing philosophical, political, literary, and historical anecdotes from the Spring and Autumn (770-481 BCE) through the Han (206 BCE-220 CE) periods, as they served as the foundation for the language.

What are the political and institutional underpinnings of China’s rise as a global power? How has the country’s rapid economic development shaped the social and cultural fabric of Chinese society?  Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this module offers a critical overview of changes occurring in the late 20th century Chinese culture and society. It explores processes of change and continuity in the People’s Republic through various topics, including the rural-urban divide, women and migration, ethnic and racial discourses, cross-strait relations and Chinese internet culture.

The module is designed to provide an overview how imperialism from within East Asia itself as well as the outside, has shaped the region.

This module introduces students to key topics in global linguistic diversity, enabling students to put into a global context the language, region or culture that their degree programme focuses on.

This module introduces students to the history of the part of the world that was profoundly influenced by the Chinese cultural sphere through a gendered lens. Chronologically, it covers the periods of early state formation and the rise of the first unified empires, the centuries of political and religious plurality of the first centuries of the common era, and the heyday of Chinese civilization following the 'reunification' in the Sui/Tang and the social and economic transformations of the Song dynasty. We will look at this history through the experience of women from different walks of life and study how women were represented in different kinds of texts, from the Classics to biographies of exemplary women and tales of the strange. This perspective will provide a focused and engaging way to learn about the ideological foundations and hierarchical and patriarchal social structures that supported the expanding Chinese states.

This course introduces selected popular music cultures of the world, examining case studies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as diasporic and globalised styles. Each lecture will introduce: representative musical styles with their characteristic sounds, instruments and forms; the cultural contexts within which they have developed; relationships between music and global and local forces including political power structures, gender, nationalism, tourism and globalisation; the roles of musicians and those working in music industries; circumstances surrounding musical performance, recording and dissemination of music.

Japanese manga and anime, as well other popular products, have firmly taken hold of global popular culture. In addition, Japanese food, such as sushi and bento have become a staple for many busy people in London and elsewhere in the world, leading to the image of Japan as a cool country with great food. The Japanese government has therefore proclaimed the Cool Japan initiative in the effort to brand Japan and lift it to the public consciousness around the world. However, many of these images are formed by the media, some within Japan, some outside of Japan. Looking at Japan via the various channels of its consumption – manga, anime, media and food – this module aims to analyse how the various aspects of our ‘imagination of Japan’ come together, working outhow some of our stereotypes are formed. It will enable student to understand how the concept of ‘Japan’ came about. Students thinking of writing an ISP on popular culture/media or any other topic in relation to the topic of the module in their final year are strongly encouraged to enrol in it.

This module is directed to language learners who are planning to conduct research on various aspects of social and cultural life during a period of residence in the region of their interest. It explores ways in which “culture” can be conceptualized and observes in particular the role of language in the construction of culture and cultural identity.

This module will examine the social and historical context of the recent boom in South Korea's popular culture, both domestically and internationally. It will look at the role of rapid economic development and the transition from dictatorship to democracy in providing the conditions for the creation of a ruthless and highly successful system of cultural production.

This module introduces students to some of the most prominent themes of East Asian mythology. From mythical culture bearers and warring monkey kings to mischievous fox spirits and perfidy sensing goats, we will examine the origins of various myths, their sources and evolution over time, as well as their historical and cultural significance.   

The module is designed to offer a critical overview of East Asian cinema, and its interregional flows from the beginning to the present day. It will be looking at how actors and directors travel across the region.

This is the first of a pair of modules that introduce students to some of the major topics and approaches in the study of East Asian civilization, from prehistorical times to the early modern era.
Taking a thematic approach, East Asian Civilizations A addresses the key issues of prehistory, rulership, religion, the world of sinographs, and otherness in China, Korea, and Japan. Together, these units give students a grounding in some of the major commonalities and intersections that exist across East Asia through to the early modern period, while also allowing them to see how local dynamics and priorities affected social and cultural forms in each state.

The second of a pair of modules, East Asian Civilizations B continues with a thematic approach to the study of premodern East Asia, with units on Buddhism, warfare, and gender, law, and hierarchy. The structure of the module encourages students to compare the civilizations of China, Korea, and Japan so that they can see their commonalities and intersections as well as identify the particularities of each that arose from local contexts.

This module explores an ongoing cultural encounter, which has historically been only rarely marked by conflict.’ Key themes to be covered include the origins and early development of Islam in China, from Tang China’s ‘Silk & Sea Routes’ to the Mongol empire.

This module is directed to language learners who are planning to conduct research on various aspects of social and cultural life during a period of residence in the region of their interest. It explores ways in which “culture” can be conceptualized and observes in particular the role of language in the construction of culture and cultural identity.

This module introduces students to some of the most prominent themes of East Asian mythology. From mythical culture bearers and warring monkey kings to mischievous fox spirits and perfidy sensing goats, we will examine the origins of various myths, their sources and evolution over time, as well as their historical and cultural significance.   

The module is designed to offer a critical overview of East Asian cinema, and its interregional flows from the beginning to the present day. It will be looking at how actors and directors travel across the region.

What are the political and institutional underpinnings of China’s rise as a global power? How has the country’s rapid economic development shaped the social and cultural fabric of Chinese society?  Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this module offers a critical overview of changes occurring in the late 20th century Chinese culture and society. It explores processes of change and continuity in the People’s Republic through various topics, including the rural-urban divide, women and migration, ethnic and racial discourses, cross-strait relations and Chinese internet culture.

The module is designed to provide an overview how imperialism from within East Asia itself as well as the outside, has shaped the region.

This module will give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in their chosen industry, while developing their employability and graduate career prospects. It will allow students to acquire greater knowledge of the industry of their choice and enable them to explore and experience its practices. Students will apply some of what you have learned on their programme and reflect upon their career aspirations.

Important note: This module is offered on a first come, first served basis. In term 1, students have to engage with the SOAS Careers team to find a suitable internship for their degrees. Only upon the successful completion of this task, students will be invited to take this module in semester 2 of their degrees.

This module aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Chinese language knowledge and skills, including listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It also aims to allow students to develop advanced mediation skills both from English to Chinese and from Chinese to English.

This module examines issues surrounding the practice and activity of translation, and offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and methods in translating texts from Chinese into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications.  

This module allows students to synthesise their learning in a single project that demonstrates their fulfilment of the programme’s learning outcomes. It integrates their academic knowledge with experiences beyond the classroom and combines their developing knowledge, skills, and personal interests. The project is conceived, designed, and carried out independently, with support and supervision.

This module aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Chinese language knowledge and skills, including listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It also aims to allow students to develop advanced mediation skills both from English to Chinese and from Chinese to English.

An ISP is an essay (in English) of 10,000 words on an approved topic in East Asian Studies of the student’s choice. This module is the culmination of the research and writing training provided throughout their programme of study.

Focusing primarily on the Asia-Pacific War, this module critically explores the multiple ways in which memories have been created, circulated, and consumed in Japan, the Koreas, and the Sinophone area.

This module explores the history of the suffragette movement in China and the wider context of women's emancipation and emerging feminist thought in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The syllabus is organised around a series of key events and protagonists, from the introduction of the first schools for girls (by Western missionaries) and the reforms of the late 1890s, to the suffragette movement and the revolution of 1911 and its aftermath. You will get to know some extraordinary women and read their writings, reflect about their significance within the Chinese and global context, and gain new insights into the struggle against exclusive patriarchal structures and for female emancipation and political participation in the final decade of Qing rule and beyond.

This module critically examines the evolution of Chinese cinema from its inception to the present, exploring mainstream and arthouse films within socio-political and cultural contexts. It addresses themes including tradition and modernity, representation and identity, as well as the connection between aesthetics and politics, while equipping students with essential film analysis skills.

Focusing primarily on the Asia-Pacific War, this module critically explores the multiple ways in which memories have been created, circulated, and consumed in Japan, the Koreas, and the Sinophone area.

This module offers a textual and contextual survey of modern Chinese literature, exploring seminal literary works in connection with key political movements.

This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base to understand Taiwan's culture and society. Because of its multifaceted cultural and ethnic mix and the complex colonial history, the module looks at Taiwan’s contemporary culture, unpicks the various dimensions of the complicated social change, and considers the colonial legacy and the impact of globalization.  The focus of the module is placed on the highly contentious issue of identity politics of the post-war era. By exploring contemporary Taiwanese cultural change and social development, this course facilitates a solid understanding of the complexity of this place, offers an interesting reference point to think about China and Japan, and provides a better understanding of the greater East Asian society. Because most courses cover China, Japan and Korea, this module can connect the dotted line to form a more complete picture of East Asia.

The core objective of this course is to analyse primary sources which shed light on the role of Shanghai as a city representative of the decentralised and at times anarchic situation in China during the 1920s and 30s. The city’s origins as a byproduct of the Unequal Treaties after the Opium War of 1840 will be elucidated, as much as the wealth that was created by means of the opium trade and of an unparalled agglomeration of weath. This wealth was not infrequently created by means of illegal activities, leading to the collusion between criminal syndicates, the Chinese government and Western businesses and officials which altogether made Shanghai the hallmark of lawlessness in Republican China.

This module explores the history of the suffragette movement in China and the wider context of women's emancipation and emerging feminist thought in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The syllabus is organised around a series of key events and protagonists, from the introduction of the first schools for girls (by Western missionaries) and the reforms of the late 1890s, to the suffragette movement and the revolution of 1911 and its aftermath. You will get to know some extraordinary women and read their writings, reflect about their significance within the Chinese and global context, and gain new insights into the struggle against exclusive patriarchal structures and for female emancipation and political participation in the final decade of Qing rule and beyond.

This course is designed to develop students’ understanding of key moments in modern Japanese history from the collapse of the Tokugawa hegemony (the 1850s) to the end of World War II (1945) in regional and global context. It examines social and political epochs such as the rise of the Meiji government, the social and political contexts of modernisation, the process of nation-building, the establishment of an overseas empire and the rise of militarism, and the Sino-Japanese and Pacific Wars.

The module is intended to complement modules such as ‘History and Culture of Korea to the Late 19th Century’ and ‘Culture and Society in 20th Century Korea’ (which focuses on South Korea) to provide BA Korean students with a more comprehensive overview and understanding of the Korean peninsula and how it has developed, especially since the Pacific War.

This module examines themes and notions of 'modernity' in the Korean cultural context, through a syllabus which considers issues surrounding representation, identity, landscape and memory in Korean literature and film. It aims to provide students with the skills to read, analyse and understand Korean literary works and films against past and present socio-historical contexts and critical discourses.

The complex linguistic system serving the marking of social relations in Japanese is examined in this course through studies in the sociolinguistic, pragmatic and indexical traditions. Students are guided to go beyond a superficial reading of linguistic meanings and appreciate the broad sociocultural significance of keigo (honorifics) and other ‘politeness’, identity and relational markers.

This module focuses on Choson (1392-1910), the last dynasty of traditional Korea, and covers in depth aspects of society and culture that are of crucial importance for our understanding of not only traditional Korea but also developments on the Korean peninsula in the 20th and 21st centuries.

This module critically examines the evolution of Chinese cinema from its inception to the present, exploring mainstream and arthouse films within socio-political and cultural contexts. It addresses themes including tradition and modernity, representation and identity, as well as the connection between aesthetics and politics, while equipping students with essential film analysis skills.

The module is designed to offer a critical overview of Japanese cinema, and its progression from the beginning to the present day. It will look at how actors and directors are involved in the industry.

Focusing primarily on the Asia-Pacific War, this module critically explores the multiple ways in which memories have been created, circulated, and consumed in Japan, the Koreas, and the Sinophone area.

This module offers a textual and contextual survey of modern Chinese literature, exploring seminal literary works in connection with key political movements.

This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base to understand Taiwan's culture and society. Because of its multifaceted cultural and ethnic mix and the complex colonial history, the module looks at Taiwan’s contemporary culture, unpicks the various dimensions of the complicated social change, and considers the colonial legacy and the impact of globalization.  The focus of the module is placed on the highly contentious issue of identity politics of the post-war era. By exploring contemporary Taiwanese cultural change and social development, this course facilitates a solid understanding of the complexity of this place, offers an interesting reference point to think about China and Japan, and provides a better understanding of the greater East Asian society. Because most courses cover China, Japan and Korea, this module can connect the dotted line to form a more complete picture of East Asia.

The core objective of this course is to analyse primary sources which shed light on the role of Shanghai as a city representative of the decentralised and at times anarchic situation in China during the 1920s and 30s. The city’s origins as a byproduct of the Unequal Treaties after the Opium War of 1840 will be elucidated, as much as the wealth that was created by means of the opium trade and of an unparalled agglomeration of weath. This wealth was not infrequently created by means of illegal activities, leading to the collusion between criminal syndicates, the Chinese government and Western businesses and officials which altogether made Shanghai the hallmark of lawlessness in Republican China.

This module explores an ongoing cultural encounter, which has historically been only rarely marked by conflict.’ Key themes to be covered include the origins and early development of Islam in China, from Tang China’s ‘Silk & Sea Routes’ to the Mongol empire.

This module is directed to language learners who are planning to conduct research on various aspects of social and cultural life during a period of residence in the region of their interest. It explores ways in which “culture” can be conceptualized and observes in particular the role of language in the construction of culture and cultural identity.

This module introduces students to some of the most prominent themes of East Asian mythology. From mythical culture bearers and warring monkey kings to mischievous fox spirits and perfidy sensing goats, we will examine the origins of various myths, their sources and evolution over time, as well as their historical and cultural significance.   

This module examines issues surrounding the practice and activity of translation, and offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and methods in translating texts from Chinese into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications.  

This module critically examines the evolution of Chinese cinema from its inception to the present, exploring mainstream and arthouse films within socio-political and cultural contexts. It addresses themes including tradition and modernity, representation and identity, as well as the connection between aesthetics and politics, while equipping students with essential film analysis skills.

The module is designed to offer a critical overview of East Asian cinema, and its interregional flows from the beginning to the present day. It will be looking at how actors and directors travel across the region.

What are the political and institutional underpinnings of China’s rise as a global power? How has the country’s rapid economic development shaped the social and cultural fabric of Chinese society?  Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this module offers a critical overview of changes occurring in the late 20th century Chinese culture and society. It explores processes of change and continuity in the People’s Republic through various topics, including the rural-urban divide, women and migration, ethnic and racial discourses, cross-strait relations and Chinese internet culture.

The module is designed to provide an overview how imperialism from within East Asia itself as well as the outside, has shaped the region.

Chinese for Business

This module offers a textual and contextual survey of modern Chinese literature, exploring seminal literary works in connection with key political movements.

This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base to understand Taiwan's culture and society. Because of its multifaceted cultural and ethnic mix and the complex colonial history, the module looks at Taiwan’s contemporary culture, unpicks the various dimensions of the complicated social change, and considers the colonial legacy and the impact of globalization.  The focus of the module is placed on the highly contentious issue of identity politics of the post-war era. By exploring contemporary Taiwanese cultural change and social development, this course facilitates a solid understanding of the complexity of this place, offers an interesting reference point to think about China and Japan, and provides a better understanding of the greater East Asian society. Because most courses cover China, Japan and Korea, this module can connect the dotted line to form a more complete picture of East Asia.

This module will give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in their chosen industry, while developing their employability and graduate career prospects. It will allow students to acquire greater knowledge of the industry of their choice and enable them to explore and experience its practices. Students will apply some of what you have learned on their programme and reflect upon their career aspirations.

Important note: This module is offered on a first come, first served basis. In term 1, students have to engage with the SOAS Careers team to find a suitable internship for their degrees. Only upon the successful completion of this task, students will be invited to take this module in semester 2 of their degrees.