MA Arts of Asia and Africa (2019 Entry)

Overview:

Introduction - This programme draws upon the strength of the School of Arts as a centre for the study of the art, music and media of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and their global diasporas. Students select modules from across the school, developing a cross-discipline understanding of the arts, broadly conceived. They have the option of specialising in a particular interdisciplinary field, such as popular music and film in the Middle East; art, archaeology and music of the Silk Road; or music, media and development in Africa.

The School of Arts is a unique concentration of experts in the art, music and media of the non-Western world, unsurpassed in scale and reach by any other institution worldwide. Students benefit from the unparalleled knowledge and enthusiasm of staff whose work combines disciplinary rigour and innovative interdisciplinary exchange. Teaching is consistently informed by and contributes to the research of members of staff. Students can select from modules in other departments, taking advantage of SOAS's unrivalled expertise in the languages, history, religions and cultures of Asia and Africa.

The MA Arts of Asia and Africa provides students with expertise in the History of Art and/or Archaeology, Music and/or Media of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Postgraduates progress to work in arts, culture and heritage roles, including employment in museums, galleries and the creative and cultural industries. The transferable skills that they acquire enable them to forge careers in a range of other fields across the world. The programme is also an excellent foundation for MPhil/PhD research.

• Fees 2019/20 UK/EU fees -

Interested Students.

Structure:

Occasionally the availability of optional modules changes as a result of staffing and other circumstances. Students who had signed up for such modules will be notified as soon as possible and given the opportunity to choose from available alternatives.

Students must complete 120 credits of MA taught modules in addition to the compulsory dissertation (60 credits).

• Up to 30 credits taught modules must be selected from the lists of MA modules in History of Art and Archaeology or Music or Media Studies, listed below.
• Up to 30 credits modules must be selected from one of the two departments not represented by the first choice, see list below.
• Up to 15 credits module must be selected from the History of Art and Archaeology, Music or Media Studies lists below.
• Up to 45 credits modules must be selected from the recommended list of options listed below. Please note that not all option modules may run every year.
• Students must complete a Dissertation in Art and Archaeology (15PARC999) or a Dissertation in Music (15PMUC999) or a Dissertation in Media Studies (15PMSC999).

Students may be allowed to study for the MA on a part-time basis.

The part-time MA may be taken over two years, in which case the student takes two 30 credits modules (or equivalent 15 credits modules) in the first year, and two 30 credits modules (or equivalent 15 credits modules) and the dissertation in the second year.

Alternatively, it can be taken over three years, in which case the student can distribute the 120 credits modules evenly in each of the three years. The dissertation can be written in year two or three, but it is strongly recommended that this be undertaken in the final year of the programme. It must be submitted in September of the year in which the student registers for it.

Our mission is to inspire the next generation to develop ideas for a fairer and more sustainable world. We welcome the brightest minds from over 130 different countries, creating a community that is diverse, vibrant and multinational. From day one at our central London campus, our students are encouraged to challenge conventional views and think globally – and that’s one of the reasons why they develop careers that make a real difference. A SOAS student is typically passionate about their subject, opts to learn a second language, loves to learn, to travel, to be surprised; and is interested and engaged with the world around them.