Teaching
1: Three papers (50 per cent of the grade)
Students are required to take three papers (a paper is an exam for which teaching is provided). One of these papers, JM1, is compulsory. Other papers can be chosen to create a tailor-made education. 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.
Each of the three papers is assessed either by a research essay of maximum 5,000 words or an alternative exercise agreed by the Degree Committee. For further information please refer to our Faculty website.
2: Dissertation (50 per cent of the grade)
In their dissertation, students will be required to demonstrate research competence using Japanese-language sources, and to conduct research that addresses contemporary and/or historical issues of relevance to Japan. Prospective students are asked to contact potential supervisors before applying to Cambridge to ensure that an appropriate supervisor is available.
One-on-one supervisions will be held by the main supervisors and will take place typically at the beginning of the academic year and in the Easter term. In addition, the Researcher Development Seminar (JM1) will help to guide students through the research process.
| 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 Japanese Studies 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 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.