MSt in Bible Interpretation
Course Code | 000551
This programme is intended to give experience in reading a range of primary exegetical texts in Classical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac, to develop research methodologies in the writing of a 15,000-word dissertation, and to provide a solid basis in the subject area for those intending to go on to do original research.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Chinese Studies
Course Code | 000470
This programme is designed as an introduction to research techniques in various aspects of Sinology. The course covers the same ground as the first year’s work of Probationer Research Students who have been admitted for the DPhil degree. Students must be able to read Modern Chinese without difficulty and have at least grounding in the classical language.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Classical Armenian Studies
Course Code | 000480
Within the long span of Armenian history, the study of Armenia at Oxford concentrates on the period when Armenian sources give valuable information not only about Armenian culture itself, but also about neighbouring peoples of the Near East. Emphasis is therefore given to the study of the classical and medieval forms of the language and to Armenian literature from the fifth to the sixteenth centuries.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Classical Hebrew Studies
Course Code | 000490
This programme is of particular interest to graduates who have a basic knowledge of Biblical Hebrew (perhaps learned as part of a Theological or Biblical Studies degree) and wish to extend and deepen their linguistic and textual competence as a preparation for research.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Islamic Art and Archaeology
Course Code | 000770
A broad, introductory course aimed at those new to Islamic art and archaeology, who already possess the necessary qualifications in Arabic or Persian or Ottoman Turkish.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Japanese Studies
Course Code | 000790
This programme aims to recruit graduates with a good undergraduate degree in Japanese, or graduates with equivalent language skills in Japanese and knowledge about Japan. Students acquire a solid specialisation within Japanese studies, including research methods and practice.
The course is designed around the expertise of academic staff in Japanese in the Oriental Institute, presently language and literature. A core element of the course, within each line of specialisation, is detailed work with bodies of data (usually textual in the widest sense) within some methodological framework.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Jewish Studies
Course Code | 000800
This programme, taught by the Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, provides a broad approach to the study of Jewish history and culture from antiquity to modern times, combined with study of Modern or Biblical Hebrew or Yiddish.
In addition to a compulsory language and a dissertation, students select four subjects from a wide-ranging list published from year to year.
Further enquiries should be addressed to: The Academic Registrar, Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Yarnton Manor, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1PY (+44 (0) 1865 377946; Fax: +44 (0) 1865 375079; registrar@ochjs.ac.uk).
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period
Course Code | 000810
This programme aims to give students a good general knowledge of Jewish history, religion and culture in the period from 200 BCE to 135 CE, the period of the Second Temple and early Rabbinic Judaism; to introduce students to the range of primary sources for Jewish history in this period; to ensure that students understand and can use a range of historiographical and critical methods in the treatment of such primary sources.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Korean Studies
Course Code | 000830
This programme aims to build on a basic knowledge of modern Korean and classical Chinese or modern Japanese and ensure that the student becomes capable in using at least modern Korean for research purposes; to acquaint students with many of the most important classical texts from all periods of Korean history in modern Korean translation or the original classical Chinese or Old or Middle Korean; to enable students to understand and use a range of classical references and historiographical and linguistic research methods for the treatment of primary sources; to allow students to do more specialised study from a wide range of possible options and thereby exercise their new skills.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Modern Jewish Studies
Course Code | 000900
This programme aims to allow students to do specialised study from a range of options relating to the modern Jewish world; to ensure a sufficient grasp of Modern Hebrew or Yiddish to enable them to read sources in these languages.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Modern South Asian Studies
Course Code | 003749
This course is offered jointly with the History Faculty. Please see the entry for History for details of the course and application procedure.
MSt in Oriental Studies
Course Code | 000980
The MSt in Oriental Studies aims to provide tailor-made courses for training graduate students at the beginning of their research in different areas of Oriental Studies. Some subjects of the Faculty offer subject specific courses, which they expect most or all of their graduate students to follow.
Applicants for the MSt Oriental Studies must contact a prospective supervisor prior to submitting an application to secure their agreement in principle to supervise the course. Please note that admission is always subject to the assessment of a full application.
Students are only admitted to the MSt in Oriental Studies if they can demonstrate both the intention and clear potential to progress to a research degree, as demonstrated through their academic record and the written work and references supplied with their application.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Syriac Studies
Course Code | 001220
This programme is intended to give experience in reading a wide range of different Syriac texts, and to provide a solid basis in the subject for those intending to go on to do original research.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MPhil in Classical Indian Religion
Course Code | 001000
This
programme attempts to introduce students to classical Indian religion
in a way which bases understanding on original sources and equips them
to continue in the same vein. Formally, the course is in two parts. The
first, of five months, is an intensive study of the rudiments of
Sanskrit. In the second part of the course the student has regular
classes in reading Sanskrit religious texts.
- Length of programme: Two years
MPhil in Cuneiform Studies
Course Code | 001010
This programme is designed to function as a self-contained course in its own right that will provide a satisfying and advanced study of the languages, high culture and history of ancient Mesopotamia. It is also intended to take students to the point where they can consider embarking on doctoral research in cuneiform studies (in Akkadian and/or Sumerian).
The course focus is on study of the two principal ancient languages of ancient Mesopotamia, Syria and the surrounding regions. Considerable stress is also placed on knowledge of the literature, cultural and political history and archaeology of the area. At all stages of the course, the principal emphasis is laid on detailed familiarity with the primary sources, studied in the original languages and scripts. A major objective is for students to become familiar with the use of a range of historiographical and literary-critical methods for the understanding of these sources.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Eastern Christian Studies
Course Code | 000550
This course provides graduates in Oriental Studies or Theology with opportunity to study the main creative period of the Eastern Christian tradition with a more detailed study of texts in Greek, Armenian or Syriac. Teaching is provided jointly by members of the Faculties of Oriental Studies and Theology, but teaching in all three options may not be available every year. A knowledge of Greek is required.
The aims of this programme are to develop the practice of analytical enquiry into Eastern traditions of Christianity; to enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of foundational material and current developments in the area; to develop the ability to identify, understand and apply key concepts and principles; to enable students to reflect on relevant issues of method; to enable students to gain a critical knowledge of the scholarly literature relevant to their course.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Egyptology
Course Code | 001020
Syllabus A allows those with an Egyptology background to pursue their study of the subject to a higher level, to gain specialised expertise, and to begin fairly detailed research in an area of their choice.
Syllabus B enables graduates in another discipline to convert to Egyptology through a course at graduate level that offers a certain amount of specialisation, including an element of research.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Islamic Art and Archaeology
Course Code | 001030
This course combines instruction and research. The MPhil is designed for candidates who have limited or no training in Islamic studies, including language, and in Islamic art and archaeology.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Islamic Studies and History
Course Code | 000995
This course is intended primarily for students who desire an intensive introduction to Islamic history in the pre-modern period. It presumes no background in Islamic history or languages. The course focuses on the political and social history of the central Islamic lands (Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Central Asia, and Anatolia), and differs from analogous MPhil courses at other universities in the significance it places on language instruction in classical Arabic, Persian, and Turkish.
MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period
Course Code | 001040
The MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period at Oxford aims to give students a good general knowledge of Jewish history, religion and culture in the period from 200 BCE to 425 CE, the period of the Second Temple and the Talmud, to introduce students to the range of primary sources for Jewish history in this period, and to ensure that students understand and can use a range of historiographical and critical methods in the treatment of such primary sources.
The course consists in instruction in the history and institutions of the Jews and in three specialised areas of Jewish studies which involve close study of particular types of primary texts,. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of the relevant languages before starting the course, and no time is set aside for basic language instruction.
MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World
Course Code | 000820
This
course, for which teaching is provided by members of the Faculties of
Oriental Studies and Theology, pays equal attention to the two
religious traditions.
The subjects available in that part of the course
concerned with Judaism are: Judaism from 200 BCE to 200 CE, Jewish historiography, Bible
interpretation, eschatology, and wisdom literature; and in that
concerning Christianity: Christianity to 200 CE, the Gospels and the historical Jesus, the Acts
and the Pauline corpus, the Apostolic Fathers, and the Apologists.
A
knowledge of Greek and Hebrew is required, and a wide range of primary
literature must be covered. Two papers are required
in each of the two traditions, and students write a short thesis.
MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies
Course Code | 001070
This programme enables graduates in modern history or the social sciences to acquire advanced knowledge of Chinese language and the society, politics, economics, and history of modern China.
The programme is designed either to offer a terminal degree in preparation for professional work in which knowledge of China and Chinese is an advantage, or to be taken in preparation for DPhil (i.e. doctoral) work in a department of the discipline in which the students have taken their first degree.
Please note that the MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies is not designed for applicants who already have a first degree in Chinese or who otherwise already have advanced knowledge of modern Chinese, including native speakers. Applicants who already possess such knowledge should apply to the sister programme, the MSc in Modern Chinese Studies, offered by the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Modern Jewish Studies
Course Code | 001080
This programme aims to allow students to do specialised study from a range of options relating to the modern Jewish world; to ensure a sufficient grasp of modern Hebrew or Yiddish to enable them to read both primary and secondary sources in these languages; to teach methods of research and critical thought which will advance students’ ability to write a substantial dissertation.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies
Course Code | 001090
This programme aims to provide intensive training in a Middle Eastern language and to develop reading skills to attain a research proficiency; to provide a common foundation in the methods and disciplines relevant to the study of the Middle East; to provide intensive training in three fields of knowledge based on a combination of lectures, tutorials and essay writing; to develop research and writing skills, with training in appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches, through supervision of a thesis on a subject of the student’s choice.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies
Course Code | 003740
This
programme aims to provide intensive training in one or more languages of South Asia, and to develop reading skills to attain a research proficiency; to develop an in-depth understanding of the histories, societies and cultures of South Asia and neighbouring regions and a broad expertise in the intellectual disciplines through which these may be studied; to enable students to pursue particular areas of specialisation through a wide range of optional courses; to foster skills in research, writing, analysis and interpretation, through a combination of lectures, tutorials, essay-writing and supervision of a thesis on a subject of the student's choice.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies
Course Code | 001110
This programme aims to introduce Tibetan and Himalayan studies to students who do not have a background in the subject. Emphasis is on teaching of Tibetan. Students are also introduced to the history and civilization of the area and to studies in Buddhism.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Traditional East Asia
Course Code | 001095
The Master of Philosophy in Traditional East Asia examines the
sinitic tradition and its adaptations in Korea and Japan.
Seminars address trans-regional issues: kingship and bureaucracy, languages, climate, religion, literature, philosophy, war, economic history, trade, diplomacy, encounters with Europeans, and other topics to build a regional view and comparative analytical tools. Entrants are required to have a reading ability in at least one modern language (Chinese, Korean, or Japanese) and are trained in one or more of the classical languages of the region (Classical Chinese, Middle Korean, Classical Japanese).
Prescribed readings guide students through a variety of texts, both canonicaland non-canonical, to provide depth in at least one country’s tradition. Extensive bibliographical training equips students to find information on their own in classical references.
The MPhil degree, with its interdisciplinary, regional, and comparative approaches, should appeal to students who seek to develop an intimate knowledge of the region for academic purposes or as preparation for careers in museology, libraries, journalism, diplomacy, but also international banking, business, law, government service, secondary education, or non-governmental organisations.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
How to ApplyThe deadlines for all of the taught courses listed above are 16 November 2012, 18
January 2013 and 8 March 2013, with the exception of the MSt in Modern South Asian Studies, MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies and the MPhil Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World. The deadline for the MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies is 18 January 2013. The deadlines for the MPhil Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World are 18 January and 8 March 2013. Applications may be accepted after the March deadline if places remain available. All studentship applications must be submitted by the January deadline. The standard set of materials you should send
with any application to a taught course comprises: In addition to the standard documents above,
applicants to any of the taught courses in Oriental Studies listed above should provide two (2) relevant academic essays or other writing samples from their most recent qualification of 2,000 words each,
or 2,000-word extracts of longer work. Applicants for the MSt in Korean Studies should also submit scores from the Standard Test of Proficiency in Korean (S-TOPIK) with a target level of 4. Applicants for the MPhil in Traditional East Asia should also submit test scores from a standard language examination: Please follow the detailed
instructions in the Application
Guide, and
consult the Oriental Institute website
for any additional guidance. |
