Chinese Studies: University of Würzburg

Program

This research-oriented Master’s program in Chinese Studies, introduced in the winter semester of 2006/07, is a novelty in Germany’s sinological education. Focusing on "Transformation and Particularity in China" the program combines content courses with advanced language training. Recognised experts will teach students in fields ranging from contemporary political studies to heritage and innovation in imperial China. Students may specialize on either pre-modern or contemporary topics (see required electives below). Apart from equipping students with an excellent command of both Mandarin and Classical Chinese, the program provides deep insights into China’s past and present internal dynamics.

Program Structure

The program commences every September and takes place both in Würzburg and in Bejing: during the first two semesters students are based in Würzburg; the third semester takes place at Beijing University in China. The final semester is intended for writing the master thesis, while the place to conduct research may be chosen by the students themselves. The stay abroad at Beijing University is obligatory and integrated into the program so that credit points earned in Beijing are transferred to the University of Würzburg.

The program comprises compulsory language courses and required electives:

• Module 1: Modern Chinese Language
• Module 2: Classical Chinese Language
• Module 3: Modern Japanese
• Module 4: Research Methods
• Module 5: Transformation in Contemporary China
• Module 6: Heritage and Innovation

Compulsory Courses

Particular attention is being paid to language training. Modern Chinese language courses comprise 12 semester hours (15 ECTS credit points). Classical Chinese Language courses are made up of 16 semester hours (21 ECTS credit points). Modern Japanese classes account for 9 semester hours (12 ECTS credit points) and Research Methods comprise 5 semester hours (6 ECTS credit points). This intensive and advanced language training allows for continuity of Chinese language practice and therefore meets the need of high-class language proficiency. Classical Chinese and Modern Japanese do not require previous training.

Required Electives

The focus of the content courses is on "Transformation and Particularity in China". This represents the direction of research conducted at the Department of Sinology in Würzburg, which is mainly influenced by the reconstruction and interpretation of cultural processes in China’s past and present. While "Transformation" stands for historical change as such and for the factors provoking, supporting and impeding this change, "Particularity" aims at identity-creating characteristics of Chinese culture and society. Both terms do not only belong to the research interests of Professor Kuhn, Professor Kolb and Professor Alpermann but in addition they are of growing importance within Western and East-Asian academic discourses on China.

A specialization within the content courses is chosen by the students themselves. After being admitted to the program and before taking up studies in October students are asked to decide on the module they want to focus on during the following two years. Accordingly, their teaching and research will put weight on either the module „Transformation in Contemporary China" or on the module "Heritage and Innovation", depending on which module is chosen by the majority of students of one year. However, students studying the module "Transformation in Contemporary China" also have to take at least three courses of the module "Heritage and Innovation", and vice-versa.

Required Electives (module 5 and 6) account for 18 semester hours (36 ECTS credit points).

Module 5: Transformation in Contemporary China

This module comprises research areas on contemporary China. Apart from focussing on the People’s Republic of China, developments in the Republic of China on Taiwan are also taken into account.

• Contemporary Politics in Transformation
• Contemporary Society in Transformation
• Political Economy in Transition

Module 6: Heritage and Innovation

In this module teaching and research focuses on the period between 800 and 1300 as well as on the period between 1800 and 1949. The terms "Heritage" and "Innovation" clarify cultural as well as societal continuities, and they point to influences taken by internal and external innovative forces. The research areas comprise the following:

• Heritage and Innovation in the Epoch of Societal and Cultural Transformation (800-1300)
• Heritage and Innovation in the Epoch of Societal and Cultural Transformation (1200-1600)
• Intellectual History in the Age of Cultural Transformation (900-1600)
• Environmental History
• Popular Culture in China’s History
• China’s Military History

Entry Requirements

Required application documents:

• Bachelor’s certificate of a China related degree program with a grade of 1.9 (B) or above (accreditation of comparable degree programs is possible). A copy of the certificate should be handed in together with a copy of the diploma supplement. In case that the Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed, documentation of the performance in the study program is to be provided.
• Proof of stays abroad in China or Taiwan
• CV
• Letter of Motivation

ECTS Requirements
120 (57 semester hours)

Each shortlisted applicant will either be invited for a personal or a telephone interview, depending on the applicant’s current place of residence. Only when all application material has been reviewed and subsequent interviews with shortlisted applicants have been conducted, successful candidates will be contacted and asked to decide on the module they want to focus on throughout the master’s program.

Updated on: 01-Feb-2010