East Asian Studies (MA)

Department Website

Program Description

The Master of Arts program is designed for students who seek specialized and individualized enhancement of their undergraduate education. The department offers an array of language courses at all levels in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for the further development of language capability. Besides language instruction, the department offers a wide range of courses in modern Asian culture, with emphasis on the literature, film, and visual culture of China, Japan, and Korea. Many of these courses treat these subjects in the context of such global issues as socialism, colonialism, fascism, and modernization. In working out their individual course of study, those seeking the MA degree are expected to balance out the different components of the program. For those who are interested, some course work and guidance on pre-modern China is also available.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See East Asian Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Course
EAST-GA 1001	First Year Sem: Intro to Critical Asian Studies	4
Electives
Select 28 credits of Electives 1		28
Total Credits		32

¹

A maximum of 16 credits in reading and research courses may be taken.

Additional Program Requirements

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate research-level proficiency in one East Asian language—as a rule, one of these languages must be Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Students who do not enter with research-level language competency will be expected to attain that level through coursework, preferably to be completed in their first year. If they have not done so prior to enrolling, students will be expected to pass a language examination at the end of their first year (administered either by the University or by the department).

Master's Thesis

All students must write a thesis in their chosen area of study. Two members of the faculty, one being the student’s advisor, will evaluate the thesis. The thesis may be based on a course term paper, but should nonetheless be an independent research work, typically in the range of 50 or more pages.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
EAST-GA 1001	First Year Sem: Intro to Critical Asian Studies	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
2nd Semester/Term
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
3rd Semester/Term
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
4th Semester/Term
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	32

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Acquire an interdisciplinary understanding and critical examination of East Asia within a global configuration. 
2. Gain an understanding of how received pasts-including the early and the early modern eras – interact in the modern present of contemporary societies. 
3. Develop critical awareness of political, institutional and the methodological implications, as well as the historical provenance of both disciplinary-based and area studies inquiry. 

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.