East Asian Studies BA

East Asia has been studied in Western universities for hundreds of years and is an active area of research today. This year-long module introduces students to the academic study of East Asia and how it has changed over time. We will look at key questions and debates that have shaped research about East Asia as a whole as well as China, Japan and Korea, in particular. Along the way, you will also learn about how academic knowledge is produced and employed. Through these explorations, you will learn to develop your own academic voice in both writing and speech.

This module introduces the study of the humanities in East Asia. We will explore thousands of years of writing traditions across China, Japan and Korea, through genres such as historical sagas, philosophy, poetry, modern novels, and more. Through this, you will learn the broad history of East Asia and how to understand it through key texts. You will develop strong reading and interpretative skills across many genres, preparing you for success in the course and beyond.

Since 1945, East Asian societies have experienced rapid social, economic and political changes. This module introduces students to contemporary developments that have shaped China, Japan and Korea. You will explore how societies were rebuilt, how development re-shaped everyday life, and how issues such as sustainability, human rights, inequality, and population growth have presented new challenges. Through this module, you will learn about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and how we can understand them across East Asia.

This module teaches speaking and listening skills in Korean for students in the Korean Intensive pathway. This module will prepare you for speaking in a variety of natural contexts with native speakers. Through a variety of games, pair-work and media viewing, you will learn how to talk about yourself, hold a conversation on everyday topics, and understand native speech. Together with Korean Intensive 1a and 1b, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or TOPIK Level 2 by the end of your first year.

This module teaches the foundations of Korean language for students in the Korean Intensive pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will gain core knowledge in Korean reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will be able to, read in the Korean alphabet, Hangul, use grammar and vocabulary to write about everyday topics, and translate passages between Korean and English. Through a tandem language partner programme and real-world media in the classroom, you will develop grounded cultural awareness of contemporary South Korean society. Together with Korean Intensive 1b and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or TOPIK Level 2 by the end of your first year.

This module continues teaching the foundations of Korean language for students in the Korean Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will continue to build your knowledge in Korean reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will have a a solid foundation of Korean grammar, a working vocabulary of around 1000 words, and the ability to read and write more complex passages. You will also develop skills such as linguistic and cultural awareness regarding the differences between Korean and your first language, resilience through intensive learning, and the ability to self-reflect on your own learning process. Together with Korean Intensive 1a and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or TOPIK Level 2 by the end of your first year.

This module teaches speaking and listening skills in Japanese for students in the Japanese Intensive pathway. This module will prepare you for speaking in a variety of natural contexts with native speakers. Through a variety of games, pair-work and role-playing exercises, you will learn to talk about yourself, hold a conversation on everyday topics, ask questions each other in order to gather the information you need, and give a short presentation. Together with Japanese Intensive 1a and 1b, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or JLPT N4 by the end of your first year.

This module teaches the foundations of Japanese language for students in the Japanese Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will gain core knowledge in Japanese reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will be able to read and write in the three main writing systems in Japanese (hiragana, katakana, and kanji), read simple stories and explain them in English,and translate simple passages to English. In your first semester, you will begin to develop cultural awareness of both Japanese and your own culture and identify your own learning style for language acquisition at the university level. Together with Japanese Intensive 1b and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or JLPT N4 by the end of your first year.

This module continues teaching the foundations of Japanese language for students in the Japanese Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will continue to build your knowledge in Japanese reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will have developed a solid foundation of Japanese grammar for the next level, increased your vocabulary and kanji base, have learned how to express your opinions in Japanese. You will also continue to develop skills such as linguistic and cultural awareness regarding the differences between Japanese and your first language, resilience through intensive learning, and the ability to self-reflect on your own learning process. Together with Japanese Intensive 1a and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or JLPT N4 by the end of your first year.

This module teaches core speaking and listening skills in Chinese for students in the Chinese Intensive pathway. This module will prepare you for speaking in a variety of natural contexts with native speakers. Through different types activities such as role-plays and dialogues, you will learn to communicate in a variety of everyday contexts as well as express your own ideas and opinions. Together with Chinese Intensive 1a and 1b, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or HSK 3 qualification by the end of your first year.

This module introduces the foundations of Chinese for students in the Chinese Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will gain core knowledge in Chinese reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will be able to read and write hundreds of Chinese characters, as well as compose short passages of your own. In your first semester, you will develop time management strategies for university-level language acquisition and hone your independent learning skills utilising the university's wide resources on Chinese and China. Together with Chinese Intensive 1b and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or HSK 3 by the end of your first year.

This module continues teaching the foundations of Chinese language for students in the Chinese Intensive Pathway. Through a high-contact and interactive classroom experience, you will continue to build your knowledge in Chinese reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. By the end of the semester, you will have an active vocabulary of almost a thousand words and phrases for written communication. You will be able to utilise that vocabulary to compose longer paragraphs. You will also be able to translate more complex concepts between Chinese and English. As part of broader skills development, you will hone your intercultural competence. Together with Chinese Intensive 1a and 1c, you will achieve the equivalent of CEFR A2 or HSK 3 qualification by the end of your first year.

This module is focusing on receptive activities, written productive activities and interactive activities in Chinese language at lower intermediate level. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required to progress at intermediate and advanced levels. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with texts including annotated topical materials. Techniques for tackling unseen materials are developed and grammar knowledge is consolidated and expanded. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components. Students develop skills needed to make best use of the Year Abroad programme.

This module is focusing on receptive activities, written productive activities and interactive activities in Chinese language at lower intermediate level. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required to progress at intermediate and advanced levels. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with texts including annotated topical materials. Techniques for tackling unseen materials are developed and grammar knowledge is consolidated and expanded. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components. Students develop skills needed to make best use of the Year Abroad programme.

This module is focusing on receptive activities, written productive activities and interactive activities in Chinese language at lower intermediate level. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required to progress at intermediate and advanced levels. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with texts including annotated topical materials. Techniques for tackling unseen materials are developed and grammar knowledge is consolidated and expanded. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components. Students develop skills needed to make best use of the Year Abroad programme.

This module will introduce you to the critical study of East Asian traditions. While the region is often touted for its ancient cultures, practices, and heritage, many of these have been carefully represented, invented, or repackaged in contemporary times for a variety of purposes. You will learn to critically examine the histories and representations of famous traditions in modern media such as Japanese samurai, Korean politeness, and Chinese philosophy. You will also develop your own multimedia project working with as a group through which you will build digital media skills.

Korean is a unique and increasingly influential language. This module introduces the basics of the Korean language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve an understanding of the fundamentals of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Korean, including the alphabet Hangul. By the end of the module, you will be able to introduce yourself, understand simple passages, and engage in conversations about everyday topics. Alongside language skills, you will learn about aspects about contemporary Korean society and culture, building your intercultural knowledge and understanding.

Japanese is one of the world's most popular, but unique languages. This module introduces the basics of the Japanese language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve  an understanding of the major features of Japanese language including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By the end of the module you will be able to talk and writie about yourself, read and understand simple information, such as an event, in Japanese, and hold a basic conversation. Through the module you will also learn about Japanese culture and society.

Chinese is the world's most spoken language. This module introduces the basics of the Chinese language to students with no prior experience. You will achieve an understanding of the major features of Chinese language including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By the end of the module you will be able to read and write Chinese characters, hold basic conversations in Chinese, and give short presentations. On top of language skills for real-life communication, you will also gain a structured understanding of the Chinese language.

East Asia is home to diverse cultural traditions, ethnic groups, and languages. It also has a long history of migration, exchange, and cultural influence across the region. This year-long module introduces students to ways of studying cultural groups, transnational exchanges, and the influence of dominant cultures. Through the module, you will learn to conduct independent research early in your academic journey, developing strong knowledge of the region's diversity and how to approach it.