Contemporary Chinese Studies MSc

University of Oxford

The MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies is a three-term, nine-month course offered jointly by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies designed to provide high quality graduate research training with an emphasis on an appreciation of research methods and on deepening your understanding of contemporary China.

You will develop or extend your knowledge and understanding of:

• the key approaches to the social scientific study of modern and contemporary China
• research methods, strategies and ethics that will be of relevance to the social scientific study of China
• critical analysis of sources and ability to present findings effectively, both verbally and in sustained writing exercises
• framing and executing a workable research topic
• interdisciplinary research and its potential.

Modules involve lectures as well as seminar or class discussions, for both of which you will receive reading lists. It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that you engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden and deepen your knowledge of your chosen field. You will also be given a supervisor to help guide you through your dissertation research through regular one-to-one meetings. In addition to your supervisor, other staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics. Students normally have some familiarity with Chinese language.

The teaching on the MSc course is built around two core courses. The first core course, Research Methods, will introduce you to the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting discipline-based approaches to Area Studies, and the study of China. It explores both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The second core course, The Study of Contemporary China, teaches foundational knowledge of modern Chinese history, politics and society needed for further study or research in all disciplines, and introduces the different disciplinary approaches to the study of modern China.

In addition to the two core courses you will choose two option courses and complete a research dissertation.

The overall structure of the course is as follows:

(a) Compulsory core course on The Study of Contemporary China

(b) Compulsory core course in Research Methods for Area Studies

(c) Elective papers: Candidates must choose two option papers from a list published annually by the Contemporary Chinese Studies Management Committee

(d) Research supervision in preparation for a 12,000 word thesis.