Teaching
For the taught component of the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (East Asian Popular Culture Across Time pathway) the students engage with three co-taught papers (a "paper" is the word used for a taught course at the University of Cambridge):
Theoretical Approaches to Popular Culture
Popular Culture in Premodern East Asia
Popular Culture in Contemporary East Asia
These papers are taught by leading scholars in the field and are designed as interactive classes, normally seminars. Lectures might be provided for certain topics to give solid foundations in lesser-known topics and to present materials that have yet to be translated or discussed in English-language scholarship. For each paper, you will write an original 5,000-word research essay on a topic of your choice but in line with the remit of the course. An alternative exercise might be allowed by the Degree Committee (the body that oversees postgraduate matters). The three taught papers are worth 50% of the final grade.
The research component of the programme takes the form of a 15,000-word dissertation. This is where where you explore in depth a research subject chosen by you in consultation with your supervisor and write a piece of research that makes a substantial and fresh contribution to the field. The dissertation will develop under the guidance of your supervisor in bespoke one-to-one supervisions. The dissertation is worth of 50% of the final grade.
Along your intellectual journey with us, you are guided through the various steps of academic research, writing, presentation and career development.
You will engage with primary sources in English translation and with English-language scholarship. Knowledge of Japanese, Chinese, and/or Korean (modern and/or premodern) is desirable but by no means required.
| One to one supervision |
Depending on the nature of your project, and in full consultation with your supervisor, you can expect to receive a minimum of four hours supervision for your dissertation. The purpose of these supervisions is to assist with your research, arguments and structure, not to provide copy editing or proofreading. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes |
While each section differs in the total number of hours directly taught, all subjects offer a minimum of 48 class hours of instruction across the year. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Equal Taught/Research
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Feedback
Students taking the East Asian Popular Culture Across Time pathway receive feedback routinely throughout the year from their supervisors. Supervisors also produce feedback via termly online supervision reports. Summative feedback on coursework essays or examinations is provided after the June Degree Committee meeting and on the dissertation after the final Degree Committee meeting of the year.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
MPhil students submit a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.
The examiners have the option to conduct an oral examination (viva) with the candidate.
Essays
In addition to the dissertation, students also submit three coursework assignments, each of 5,000 words, as part of their degree.
Each of these assignments relates to one of the three taught papers studied by the student and is approved by the Degree Committee.
The assignments are usually essays, but in some cases comprise several shorter assignments, where the total word count of those shorter assignments is 5,000 words.
Written examination
In some MPhil pathways, with the approval of the Degree Committee, a student may offer an invigilated examination paper or papers in place of the equivalent number of coursework assignments.