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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 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.

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 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 aims to develop a basic elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/listening) skills in Japanese on concrete and familiar everyday topics. In addition to the four skills mentioned above, acquiring transferable skills such as translation to and from Japanese/English also form a part of learning Japanese at this module. Students are also expected to learn essential customs and Japanese cultures through the engagement of language activities and appreciate the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity in everyday contexts and develop cultural awareness in Japanese cultures. On completion of this module, students should be able to convey very simple information about themselves, their family and friends.

This module aims to develop an elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/listening) skills in Japanese on predictable and familiar everyday topics. In addition to the four skills mentioned above, acquiring transferable skills such as translation to and from Japanese/English also form a part of learning Japanese at this module. Students are also expected to learn appropriate customs and Japanese cultures through the engagement of language activities and appreciate the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity in everyday contexts and develop cultural awareness in Japanese culture. They will learn to engage in everyday activities in simple Japanese, such as describing future plans, exchanging direct information, expressing requests, basic opinions or preferences about everyday topics in immediate environment by using appropriate speech styles. On completion of this module, students should be able to exchange simple information about themselves, their family and friends in more detail with reasoning or explanation and compare different information.

This module serves as an intensive introduction to the Korean language, focusing on the development of fundamental linguistic knowledge, communicative language skills and cultural awareness. The learning outcomes align with the programme objectives, tailored for first year Korean acquisition and intended for BA Korean beginner learners in their first semester. Emphasizing the development of essential language skills and cultural understanding in the context of acquiring the Korean language, students will explore the basics, including pronunciation, sentence construction, and communication in everyday contexts aligned with CEFR(A1-A2) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (level 1-2).

This module offers an intensive introduction to Korean language, specifically tailored for students with prior knowledge. Building upon their existing linguistic knowledge and language skills, this module focuses on further developing communicative language skills in everyday situations within a given context. The learning outcomes align with the program objectives, tailored for first-year Korean acquisition and intended for BA Korean beginner learners with prior knowledge, following the K100 Elementary Korean A module. These outcomes emphasize the further development of integrated language skills and cultural understanding within the context of acquiring the Korean language, aligned with CEFR (A2+) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (level 2).

This module will introduce students to the history of Chinese characters and their use in Korea as hanja. Students will learn how characters are formed and how to use hanja dictionaries. From week two, each lecture will introduce a set of hanja characters related to a certain topic and students will be required to achieve both passive and active knowledge of these characters. The material for each week will consist of exercises prepared by the convenor and a text that exemplifies the use of the characters in question.

This module is an introduction to Classical and Literary Chinese, the standard written language of China from around the 5th century BCE through to the early 20th century CE. The majority of this course will be based on reading, translating, and discussing selections from some of the most important philosophical texts from the Spring and Autumn era (770-481 BCE) through the Han period (206 BCE-220 CE) – written in the ‘Classical Chinese’ emulated by later writers. We will discuss grammatical and philological issues primarily in English and most of our translation work will be from Classical Chinese into English.

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.

The module will give an introduction to pre-modern Japanese grammar and expressions as well as providing an overview of its relevance in the context of contemporary Japan. Students will read a variety of texts from the Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi and Tokugawa periods.

This is a basic introductory language acquisition module for absolute beginners in the written and spoken language. The module covers several basic constructions of the language, enabling students to acquire basic skills in reading, writing, comprehension and speaking. At the end of this module, successful students will be able to function at Lower A1 of CEFR or Band 1 of HSK.

This module aims to introduce students more basic vocabulary and grammar points at beginner and elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at A1 of CEFR or Band 2 of HSK.

In this module, students will learn how to communicate in very simple Japanese on concrete and familiar everyday topics. Both spoken and written Japanese will be taught from the very first day. On completion of this module, students should be able to convey very simple information about themselves, their family and friends, their belongings etc., and ask questions about others. They will also learn to socialise with Japanese-speaking people in familiar everyday contexts. From the beginning, they will be exposed to Japanese cultures as reflected in various situations and expressions used therein.

Korean 1A is available to students on a wide variety of programmes across SOAS. This module aims to offer opportunities for students to acquire introductory/basic communicative knowledge and skills needed to participate in the target language community so that they can apply these in the context of their academic or professional needs, regardless of their degree programme. Successful students will gain the ability to read and write short simple texts, and communicate on simple everyday topics.

Korean 1B is available to students on a wide variety of programmes across SOAS. This module aims to offer opportunities for students to acquire introductory/basic communicative knowledge and skills needed to participate in the target language community so that they can apply these in the context of their academic or professional needs, regardless of their degree programme. Successful students will gain the ability to read and write short simple sentences consisting of past and future tense, and honorifics, and communicate on familiar topics concerning their everyday life.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 2B or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at higher elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write short texts, communicate on everyday topics; and function at Lower B1 of CEFR or Lower Band 5 of HSK.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 3A or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more vocabulary, grammar points, sentence structures and linking words at lower 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 B1 of CEFR or Band 5 of HSK.

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.

The objective of this module is to develop beyond pre-intermediate language competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/ listening) skills in preparation for the year abroad in Japan in Year 3. Besides the four skills mentioned above, students will develop knowledge of Japanese customs and cultures and the ability to engage with people appropriately, appreciating cultural understanding and diversity. ?Its focus is to consolidate their basic grammar and use it to speak and write about their experiences and opinions. Students should also be able to read upper beginner level materials on various topics.

This module follows the J200 Intermediate Japanese A module and will develop further students' intermediate language competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/ listening) skills in preparation for their year abroad in Japan in Year 3. Besides the four skills mentioned above, students will also develop knowledge of Japanese customs and cultures that would help them to integrate into their relevant community in Japan and the ability to engage with people appropriately, appreciating intercultural understanding and diversity. Its focus is to consolidate their pre-intermediate level knowledge of grammatical structures and vocabulary so that they can use them to read and write intermediate level materials on various topics. Students should also be able to communicate in situations which they might frequently encounter when they go to Japan.

In this module, students will learn to communicate in simple tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students also practice in describing aspects of their background and matters in area of their immediate and academic interests. The module aims to develop elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/listening) skills in Japanese. In addition to four skills mentioned above, acquiring transferable skills such as translation to and from Japanese/English also form a part of learning Japanese at this module. They will also learn to engage in everyday activities in simple Japanese such as talking about self, talking about holidays or talking about future plans and receiving and making invitations.

In this module, students will learn to communicate in relatively simple tasks that require a social exchange of information relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities, and experiences. Students also practice in describing aspects of their background and matters in area of their immediate and academic interests. The module aims to develop higher elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/writing) skills in Japanese.

The objective of this module is to prepare students to understand the main points on familiar matters regularly encountered in contexts such as university, leisure, etc. Students will also learn fundamental Japanese customs and cultures and appreciate the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity. 

The objective of this module is to prepare students to understand the main points on familiar matters encountered in contexts such as university, leisure, etc. It builds on knowledge gained in the pre-intermediate level. Students will also learn fundamental Japanese customs and cultures and develop intercultural understanding and diversity.

In this module, students will learn how to communicate effectively and appropriately in a variety of contexts, styles, and modes. Students engage in communication on both personal and social topics, using complex oral and written texts. They also learn Japanese customs and culture and compare them with those they are familiar with, appreciating the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity. 

In this module, students will learn how to communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts, styles, and modes. Students engage in communication on both concrete and abstract topics, using complex oral and written texts. They develop a deeper understanding of Japanese customs and culture and compare them with those they are familiar with, appreciating the importance of intercultural understanding, diversity, and global citizenship. 

This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding and contemporary use of the Korean language with interactive and personalised language learning modes. Through the lectures and tutorials students will engage with practical and diverse topics which will provide them with the necessary foundation to develop their skills and explore different formats of the Korean language further. Students will acquire Korean reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to an appropriate level and be assigned authentic multimedia language tasks to consolidate their learning process and demonstrate their acquired skill sets.

This module aims to develop students' Korean language skills to understand, express and communicate to a competent intermediate level of accuracy and fluency. Through the lectures and tutorials students will engage with practical and diverse topics, and be assigned various personalised multimedia language tasks to consolidate their learning process independently and in groups. Interactive learning will be integrated to develop intercultural awareness to help prepare the students for the year abroad in Korea in Year 3. 

In this module, students will learn to communicate in some simple and slightly complex tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students will also develop some integrated language skills for effective everyday communication. This module is aligned with CEFR (A2) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (Level 2). 

In this module, students will learn to communicate effectively and fluently in a range of slightly complex tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students will also enhance their integrated language skills for effective everyday communication further. This module is aligned with CEFR (A2) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (Level 2). 

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

Students will acquire comprehensive knowledge of Korean with interactive and creative language learning modes in diverse formats. This module is designed for students who completed Korean 3A module or achieved equivalent to lower intermediate levels previously. It aims to help students further develop their language skills and intercultural awareness. This intermediate-level course prepares students to engage in more extended and natural conversations in Korean, also helps students to understand moderately complex texts relatable and learning experiences are integrated to develop natural interactions in Korean.

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 1B or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more basic vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at Lower A2 of CEFR or Band 3 of HSK.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 2A or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more basic vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at A2 of CEFR or Band 4 of HSK.

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 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.

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.

In this module, students will begin their studies of the areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The module will use the city-spaces and urban life of London to begin to engage with cultures from these regions as they are transported and transformed as they find roots in this post-imperial centre.

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 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 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.

In this module, students will begin their studies of the areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The module will use the city-spaces and urban life of London to begin to engage with cultures from these regions as they are transported and transformed as they find roots in this post-imperial centre.

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 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 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 the creatures and worlds of East Asian mythology that have had a powerful hold on the cultural imagination in the past and the present. From sacred mountains and warring monkey kings to tiger spirits, demons, and restless souls, we will examine the origins of various myths, their sources and evolution over time, as well as their historical and cultural significance. Through a thematic approach that focuses on Sacred Geographies, Animals and Mythology, and Ghosts and the Afterlife, students will learn about influential myths that animated China, Korea, and Japan as well as gain an appreciation of how they differed in each society.

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 offer a critical overview of changes occurring in the late 20th century Japanese culture and society. The module will prepare students for the year abroad, by providing an overview of issues facing contemporary Japanese society.

The module is designed to offer a critical overview of changes occurring in the late 20th century Korean culture and society. The module will prepare students for the year abroad, by providing an overview of issues facing contemporary Korean society.

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.

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 examines issues surrounding the practice and activity of translation and offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and methods in translating texts from Korean into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications. Through weekly seminars, the module convenor will introduce topical issues and students will be assigned different text types in Korean to translate into English to discuss in class. Informal presentations will form the basis for group discussions on translation method and technique, and for sharing constructive feedback. Diligent assignment preparations and active seminar participation will also help students expand their knowledge of Korean grammatical structures, text styles, vocabulary, idioms and expressions.

Please note that students must have advanced language proficiency in Korean to follow the module content (see Prerequisites).

This module will introduce students to the history of Chinese characters and their use in Korea as hanja. Students will learn how characters are formed and how to use hanja dictionaries. From week two, each lecture will introduce a set of hanja characters related to a certain topic and students will be required to achieve both passive and active knowledge of these characters. The material for each week will consist of exercises prepared by the convenor and a text that exemplifies the use of the characters in question.

This module is an introduction to Classical and Literary Chinese, the standard written language of China from around the 5th century BCE through to the early 20th century CE. The majority of this course will be based on reading, translating, and discussing selections from some of the most important philosophical texts from the Spring and Autumn era (770-481 BCE) through the Han period (206 BCE-220 CE) – written in the ‘Classical Chinese’ emulated by later writers. We will discuss grammatical and philological issues primarily in English and most of our translation work will be from Classical Chinese into English.

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 aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Japanese 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 Japanese and from Japanese to English. The focus is on developing advanced transferable skills around language and communication that can be used in society and will increase students' employability.

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 Japanese into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications.

This module aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Korean 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 Korean and from Korean to English.

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.

The module will give an introduction to pre-modern Japanese grammar and expressions as well as providing an overview of its relevance in the context of contemporary Japan. Students will read a variety of texts from the Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi and Tokugawa periods.

Chinese for Business
This language application module is designed for advanced Chinese learners seeking to develop well-rounded language skills.  Under the teacher’s guidance, students will conduct independent research, participate in peer discussions, and utilize various generative AI tools to complete assignments  in Chinese. By working with AI tools and engaging in language practice activities—such as reading, discussions, translation, listening to guest speakers, and presenting their own projects—students will enhance their language skills comprehensively. Additionally, the module aims to cultivate critical skills in the use of AI tools, preparing students for future research and professional work.

This is a basic introductory language acquisition module for absolute beginners in the written and spoken language. The module covers several basic constructions of the language, enabling students to acquire basic skills in reading, writing, comprehension and speaking. At the end of this module, successful students will be able to function at Lower A1 of CEFR or Band 1 of HSK.

This module aims to introduce students more basic vocabulary and grammar points at beginner and elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at A1 of CEFR or Band 2 of HSK.

In this module, students will learn how to communicate in very simple Japanese on concrete and familiar everyday topics. Both spoken and written Japanese will be taught from the very first day. On completion of this module, students should be able to convey very simple information about themselves, their family and friends, their belongings etc., and ask questions about others. They will also learn to socialise with Japanese-speaking people in familiar everyday contexts. From the beginning, they will be exposed to Japanese cultures as reflected in various situations and expressions used therein.

Korean 1A is available to students on a wide variety of programmes across SOAS. This module aims to offer opportunities for students to acquire introductory/basic communicative knowledge and skills needed to participate in the target language community so that they can apply these in the context of their academic or professional needs, regardless of their degree programme. Successful students will gain the ability to read and write short simple texts, and communicate on simple everyday topics.

Korean 1B is available to students on a wide variety of programmes across SOAS. This module aims to offer opportunities for students to acquire introductory/basic communicative knowledge and skills needed to participate in the target language community so that they can apply these in the context of their academic or professional needs, regardless of their degree programme. Successful students will gain the ability to read and write short simple sentences consisting of past and future tense, and honorifics, and communicate on familiar topics concerning their everyday life.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 2B or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at higher elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write short texts, communicate on everyday topics; and function at Lower B1 of CEFR or Lower Band 5 of HSK.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 3A or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more vocabulary, grammar points, sentence structures and linking words at lower 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 B1 of CEFR or Band 5 of HSK.

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.

The objective of this module is to develop beyond pre-intermediate language competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/ listening) skills in preparation for the year abroad in Japan in Year 3. Besides the four skills mentioned above, students will develop knowledge of Japanese customs and cultures and the ability to engage with people appropriately, appreciating cultural understanding and diversity. ?Its focus is to consolidate their basic grammar and use it to speak and write about their experiences and opinions. Students should also be able to read upper beginner level materials on various topics.

This module follows the J200 Intermediate Japanese A module and will develop further students' intermediate language competence in both productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/ listening) skills in preparation for their year abroad in Japan in Year 3. Besides the four skills mentioned above, students will also develop knowledge of Japanese customs and cultures that would help them to integrate into their relevant community in Japan and the ability to engage with people appropriately, appreciating intercultural understanding and diversity. Its focus is to consolidate their pre-intermediate level knowledge of grammatical structures and vocabulary so that they can use them to read and write intermediate level materials on various topics. Students should also be able to communicate in situations which they might frequently encounter when they go to Japan.

In this module, students will learn to communicate in simple tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students also practice in describing aspects of their background and matters in area of their immediate and academic interests. The module aims to develop elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/listening) skills in Japanese. In addition to four skills mentioned above, acquiring transferable skills such as translation to and from Japanese/English also form a part of learning Japanese at this module. They will also learn to engage in everyday activities in simple Japanese such as talking about self, talking about holidays or talking about future plans and receiving and making invitations.

In this module, students will learn to communicate in relatively simple tasks that require a social exchange of information relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities, and experiences. Students also practice in describing aspects of their background and matters in area of their immediate and academic interests. The module aims to develop higher elementary level of interactional competence by using productive (speaking/writing) and receptive (reading/writing) skills in Japanese.

The objective of this module is to prepare students to understand the main points on familiar matters regularly encountered in contexts such as university, leisure, etc. Students will also learn fundamental Japanese customs and cultures and appreciate the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity. 

The objective of this module is to prepare students to understand the main points on familiar matters encountered in contexts such as university, leisure, etc. It builds on knowledge gained in the pre-intermediate level. Students will also learn fundamental Japanese customs and cultures and develop intercultural understanding and diversity.

In this module, students will learn how to communicate effectively and appropriately in a variety of contexts, styles, and modes. Students engage in communication on both personal and social topics, using complex oral and written texts. They also learn Japanese customs and culture and compare them with those they are familiar with, appreciating the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity. 

In this module, students will learn how to communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts, styles, and modes. Students engage in communication on both concrete and abstract topics, using complex oral and written texts. They develop a deeper understanding of Japanese customs and culture and compare them with those they are familiar with, appreciating the importance of intercultural understanding, diversity, and global citizenship. 

This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding and contemporary use of the Korean language with interactive and personalised language learning modes. Through the lectures and tutorials students will engage with practical and diverse topics which will provide them with the necessary foundation to develop their skills and explore different formats of the Korean language further. Students will acquire Korean reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to an appropriate level and be assigned authentic multimedia language tasks to consolidate their learning process and demonstrate their acquired skill sets.

This module aims to develop students' Korean language skills to understand, express and communicate to a competent intermediate level of accuracy and fluency. Through the lectures and tutorials students will engage with practical and diverse topics, and be assigned various personalised multimedia language tasks to consolidate their learning process independently and in groups. Interactive learning will be integrated to develop intercultural awareness to help prepare the students for the year abroad in Korea in Year 3. 

In this module, students will learn to communicate in some simple and slightly complex tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students will also develop some integrated language skills for effective everyday communication. This module is aligned with CEFR (A2) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (Level 2). 

In this module, students will learn to communicate effectively and fluently in a range of slightly complex tasks that require a direct social exchange of information on relating to matters of immediate needs, events, activities and experiences. Students will also enhance their integrated language skills for effective everyday communication further. This module is aligned with CEFR (A2) and the International Standard Curriculum for Korean language (Level 2). 

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

Students will acquire comprehensive knowledge of Korean with interactive and creative language learning modes in diverse formats. This module is designed for students who completed Korean 3A module or achieved equivalent to lower intermediate levels previously. It aims to help students further develop their language skills and intercultural awareness. This intermediate-level course prepares students to engage in more extended and natural conversations in Korean, also helps students to understand moderately complex texts relatable and learning experiences are integrated to develop natural interactions in Korean.

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

All rounded skills will be demonstrated in various language tasks that students produce to consolidate the learning process independently or in groups. During the course, student will also develop knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills, key/transferable skills.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 1B or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more basic vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at Lower A2 of CEFR or Band 3 of HSK.

This module is for students who have successfully completed Chinese 2A or equivalent to progress in the learning of Chinese. It will introduce more basic vocabulary, grammar points, and sentence structures at elementary level. At the end of the semester, successful students are expected to be able to read and write simple texts and communicate on basic everyday topics and function at A2 of CEFR or Band 4 of HSK.

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 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 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.

This module offers an overview of key works and themes in modern Japanese literature. By exposing students to methods, cultural movements and texts, the module aims to showcase and problematise the multiplicity of literary voices that are part of the Japanese literary domain. For this reason, while the module provides students with the theories, knowledge, and skills to analyse and discuss fundamental texts in Japan’s literary history, it also considers works that articulate the experiences of marginal" or peripheral identities, with topics ranging from modernism to queer writing, from atomic bomb literature to that written by ethnic minorities."

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 provides students with a critical understanding of the development of contemporary musical styles, scenes, and listening practices in 20th and 21st century China, Japan and Korea. We explore transnational flows of sounds, commodities and ideas; digital mediation and creativity; DIY and underground scenes and mainstream markets; focusing on the relationships between music and political power, national and local identities, gender and performance, idols and fans.

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 examines issues surrounding the practice and activity of translation and offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and methods in translating texts from Korean into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications. Through weekly seminars, the module convenor will introduce topical issues and students will be assigned different text types in Korean to translate into English to discuss in class. Informal presentations will form the basis for group discussions on translation method and technique, and for sharing constructive feedback. Diligent assignment preparations and active seminar participation will also help students expand their knowledge of Korean grammatical structures, text styles, vocabulary, idioms and expressions.

Please note that students must have advanced language proficiency in Korean to follow the module content (see Prerequisites).

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 aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Japanese 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 Japanese and from Japanese to English. The focus is on developing advanced transferable skills around language and communication that can be used in society and will increase students' employability.

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 Japanese into English. The syllabus combines practical translation exercises with critical analyses of context, strategies, methods, and their socio-political and cultural implications.

This module aims to develop and consolidate students' advanced Korean 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 Korean and from Korean to English.

Chinese for Business
This language application module is designed for advanced Chinese learners seeking to develop well-rounded language skills.  Under the teacher’s guidance, students will conduct independent research, participate in peer discussions, and utilize various generative AI tools to complete assignments  in Chinese. By working with AI tools and engaging in language practice activities—such as reading, discussions, translation, listening to guest speakers, and presenting their own projects—students will enhance their language skills comprehensively. Additionally, the module aims to cultivate critical skills in the use of AI tools, preparing students for future research and professional work.