The MA program specialization in Chinese is designed to offer students maximum general exposure to the long sweep of Chinese literary and cultural history, as well as the opportunity to delve into the study of a particular period, field, topic or genre. With four professors covering literature and culture from early China through the medieval era to the early modern period and contemporary China, the program is truly comprehensive in scope. The program focuses especially on preparing students for PhD study and careers in sinology. Since 1991, more than eighty graduates of the Chinese MA program have gone on to doctoral study here or at other first-rank institutions in the U.S.
The MA program specialization in Japanese offers students the opportunity to engage in advanced-level study of Japanese literature and culture, with the aim of preparing students for doctoral study in Japanese literature as well as providing firm foundational knowledge for those seeking Japan-related professional careers. The program is composed of four professors with specializations in the literatures of classical, medieval, early modern, and modern Japan. In recent years graduates of the Japanese MA program have gone on to PhD programs in Japanese literature and Japanese studies at this and numerous other first-rank institutions in the U.S.
For more information, please visit the department website.
Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program
Students may earn this degree as part of the Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) degree program, which allows currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time.
For more information, see the Accelerated Master's tab for the associated bachelor's degree(s):
Requirements
The MA in Asian Languages and Civilizations offers specializations in Chinese or Japanese.
All entering students in the Chinese program must take CHIN 5010 at the earliest opportunity. Students employed as teaching assistants also must take CHIN 5980 or JPNS 5980. Selection of courses beyond these is made in consultation with the director of graduate studies in Chinese or Japanese.
Prospective graduates will be required to present at least 30 hours of approved coursework or, in exceptional cases, 24 hours of coursework plus a thesis. The 24 hours must be completed at the 5000-level or above. Up to six credits from other departments may be completed at the 3000- or 4000-level at the discretion of the department.
Specific requirements for the MA specializations in Chinese and in Japanese, as well as a full list and description of graduate courses offered, are available on the department website.
Specialization in Chinese
Typical course sequence for this specialization consists of CHIN 5010, CHIN 5980 and one seminar in the first semester, followed by two seminars each over five subsequent semesters.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHIN 5010 | Sinological Methods | 3 |
| CHIN 5980 | Practical Issues in Chinese Language Pedagogy (Only for TAs) | 1 |
| Elective Courses | 20-27 | |
| Choose 27 credits from the following. (Thesis plan students may choose 20 credits from the following.) | ||
| Readings in Pre-Modern Chinese Literary Theory | ||
| Graduate Academic Writing | ||
CHIN 5120 | ||
| History of Chinese Literature from the Tenth to the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Ancient Prose | ||
CHIN 5220 | ||
CHIN 5230 | ||
| Topics in Ancient Literature | ||
| Medieval Prose | ||
CHIN 5420 | ||
CHIN 5430 | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Early Modern Prose | ||
| Early Modern Poetry | ||
| Early Modern Fiction | ||
| Topics in Early Modern Literature | ||
| Daoism | ||
| Modern Literature | ||
| Contemporary Literature | ||
| History of Chinese Film | ||
| Topics in 20th Century Literature | ||
| Topics in Chinese Film | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Other appropriate courses approved by faculty advisor | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Students pursuing Thesis Plan only | ||
| CHIN 6950 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
Specialization in Japanese
Typical course sequence for this specialization consists of JPNS 5310, JPNS 5980 and one seminar in the first semester, followed by two seminars each over five subsequent semesters.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| JPNS 5310 | Advanced Classical Japanese 1 (Only if there is no previous Classical Japanese training) | 3 |
| JPNS 5980 | Practical Issues in Japanese Language Pedagogy (Only for TAs) | 1 |
| Elective Courses | 20-27 | |
| Choose 27 credits from the following. (Thesis plan students may choose 20 credits from the following.) | ||
| Bibliography and Research Methods | ||
| Japanese Literary Translation | ||
| Classical Prose Literature | ||
| Waka, Renga, and Haiku | ||
| Topics in Classical Japanese Literature | ||
| Advanced Classical Japanese 1 | ||
| Advanced Classical Japanese 2 | ||
| Medieval Prose Literature | ||
| Japanese Buddhism and Literature | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Japanese Dramatic Literature | ||
| Early Modern Japanese Literature and Culture | ||
| Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Literature | ||
| Readings in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Thought and Culture | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics in Modern Literature and Culture | ||
| Japanese Independent Study | ||
Other appropriate courses approved by faculty advisor | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Students pursuing Thesis Plan only | ||
| JPNS 6950 | Japanese Master's Thesis | 6 |
Dual Degree Programs
Dual MA in Asian Languages and Civilizations and History or Religious Studies
The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations participates in a dual master's program with the Departments of History and Religious Studies. Students admitted to the MA programs in these departments may apply to complete a second MA in one of the other programs. Such degrees serve the needs of students who seek a truly interdisciplinary experience among intellectually affiliated departments. Students interested in exploring this option should contact the director of graduate studies in Chinese or Japanese for specific requirements.