The Institute of Asian Studies offers a program of graduate
study in the language and civilization of China to broaden the
student’s use of language skills and to provide a solid foundation
in the history and culture of China. This specialized study and
familiarity with research are intended to equip the student for a
teaching career or for further scholarship.
Learning Objectives
The program will prepare graduates to:
Understand the major social, political and
cultural developments of both pre-modern Chinese civilization and
modern and contemporary developments, with emphasis on continuities
and major changes from the traditional.
- Succinctly describe and critically assess any of these
civilizations and developments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of all aspects of Chinese culture,
literature, education, political and economic institutions,
etc.
Demonstrate understanding of major
scholarly theories of traditional and modern China.
- Succinctly state and critically assess any of these
theories.
- Correctly identify aspects of the theory better explained in
alternative theories.
Critically assess scholarly analyses,
including one’s own written work.
- Identify and critically argue the strengths and weaknesses of
an analysis.
- Analyze the logic of the argument and use of primary and
secondary sources (including sources not used).
Demonstrate the ability to locate and use
source materials, both primary and secondary.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the most important primary and
secondary required sources.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of both primary and secondary
source materials.
Write research paper on original
topics.
- Define an original topic, of appropriate scope to be
comprehensively covered in an M.A. length thesis, explain its
significance in the field and identify the relevant primary and
secondary research sources.
- Collect and synthesize data into a logically organized and
clearly presented thesis supported by evidence from primary
sources.
Demonstrate steady improvement in
knowledge of the Chinese language (at least one year of prior study
of Chinese is an entrance requirement).
- Explain Chinese grammar and vocabulary in English to native
speakers of American English.
- Explain Chinese grammar and vocabulary in Chinese and English
to Chinese-Americans students who speak Chinese at home but who had
no formal training in the language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of techniques to make learning grammar
and vocabulary interesting to students, e.g., anecdotes, stories,
poems, folk sayings.
Undergraduate Admission
Contacts
Queens
Office of Admission
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
1 (888) 9STJOHNS
admissions@stjohns.edu