Master's in Modern East Asian Studies (MEAS) at Goethe University Frankfurt

About

I. Interdisciplinary academic excellence The Master of Arts in Modern East Asian Studies (MA MEAS) is a new and innovative programme offered by Goethe University Frankfurt. In a truly interdisciplinary sense, it accommodates students with a Bachelor's degree in economics, law, political science (or another social science), history or anthropology as well as students with a Bachelor's degree in cultural studies related to East Asia. In total, four of the university's faculties, the faculties of economics, law, social sciences, and cultural studies have joined forces to guarantee professional education at the highest level within the broad range of areas covered by this unique programme. Students will acquire expert knowledge on East Asia and learn to apply theories and methods from the social sciences to contemporary phenomena in the region. They will also receive intensive language training in selected East Asian languages at beginner and advanced levels. The main focus of the MEAS programme is on qualifying young scholars for both an academic career and a professional career in international enterprises and organisations. In addition to developing a thorough understanding of theories and methods, students will learn to perform within a multidisciplinary and multinational environment. MEAS strives to instil disciplinary excellence in combination with the capacity to act and think in an interdisciplinary manner. Students are encouraged to go beyond the boundaries of their specific academic background, while faculty members endeavour to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to specific East-Asia-related topics â€“ for example, by offering joint seminars. Intensive language training is intended to enable students to become true experts on the societies and economies of East Asia, with the capacity to access literature in East Asian languages. Intensive mentoring is very important within such a challenging programme: professors and lecturers are readily available for students, and a programme coordinator advises on academic and administrative issues. II. Unity in diversity The programme is taught in English and is designed to attract students from all continents. A competitive admission process ensures a uniform and high-calibre academic standard within an environment of diversity in terms of disciplines, nationalities, cultures, and languages. The key admission criteria are outstanding Bachelor's degree grades and advanced academic writing skills. The proportion of international students within the MEAS programme exceeds 40%. III. Research in dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Centre for East Asian Studies The MEAS programme's focus on current topics in the social sciences requires the alignment of its teaching with ongoing academic debates. The various lecture series organised by the Interdisciplinary Centre for East Asian Studies as well as the programme's frequent invitations to renowned external lecturers to participate in its seminars â€“ a key element of our educational approach â€“ enable students to network within academic circles and to actively engage with the newest research.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

The programme welcomes applications from students with a first degree in economics, law, political science, or another social science, history or anthropology and from students with a first degree in cultural studies related to the East Asian region (e.g., Chinese Studies or Japanese Studies). The assessment of each applicant will consider not only the quality of his/her first degree, but also his/her ability to draft an academically sound research proposal on a social science topic - of his/her choice - related to East Asia. This proposal should be submitted with the other application documents. The following documents are required: CV Copy of Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) and transcripts of records TOEFL test result of at least 95 (Internet-based), or equivalent results from other officially acknowledged tests of English capability a convincing motivation letter, naming at least one university professor as a reference a research proposal on an East-Asia-related intra- or interdisciplinary topic in the field of economics, law, political science, or any other social science of the applicant's choice (three to five pages). Research proposal guidelines can be found under "downloads" at http://meas.uni-frankfurt.de.