MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Korean Studies)

University of Cambridge

The MPhil programme in Korean Studies is a specially designed one-year graduate seminar and research course with substantial taught elements for students who want to expand on their undergraduate education and/or prepare for a PhD in Korean Studies. It aims to support research into early modern and modern Korean history, intellectual history, history of knowledge, cultural history, South and North Korean politics, and international relations in East Asia. Candidates should have Korean language ability of at least level 3 TOPIK or equivalent. All students in the year group attend one of two mandatory classes on theory: the Theories and Methodologies in the Japanese Studies Seminar (JM1) or the Asia in Theory seminar (EA1). In either class, they meet regularly with a variety of the Faculty's instructors and are introduced to various disciplinary approaches in Korean and East Asian studies. In addition, they are guided through the various steps of academic research, writing, presentation and career development. Students then take a core Korean Studies class. Finally, for their third paper, they are free to choose from a variety of options so that each student receives a tailor-made education. Approximately half of the time is allocated to individual research and the writing of a dissertation under the guidance of leading scholars. The aim is to equip students to carry out independent academic work, including training in how to use Korean-language sources for research purposes, which lies at the heart of the programme. Our guiding principle is to ensure that each student receives the best possible education, providing a coherent course but with the flexibility to cater to individual needs. The Educational Aims of the course are: To give students with a relevant undergraduate degree and sufficient subject-language ability training in research skills and methodologies in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies To develop students’ expertise in relevant aspects of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies To give students the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision.

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies