Program Information
Campus Putuo | teaching language English | degree MA | length 3 years |
The School of International Chinese Studies at East China Normal University accepts applications from international students interested in pursuing a 3-year research-oriented program for a Master degree in Literature. The program is based on ECNU’s main campus in Shanghai. Our program focus is Chinese literature and culture, and we encourage comparative studies between China and other cultures as we strongly believe that literary and cultural dialogue is very necessary for the world. This program is supported by teachers in the areas of Chinese literature, comparative literature, linguistics, translatology and aesthetics. Mandarin language learning support will be provided, and degree-seekers will be required to pass the HSK Level 3 Examination or the corresponding language test organized by School of International Chinese Studies in order to graduate.
Main courses will be taught in English though many materials used in class might be in Chinese. Students in the program must achieve the required 32 credits, finish all the required academic tasks and successfully defend a thesis written in English, or Chinese if agreed by the Department. The Department boasts a robust, diverse faculty, all of whom have overseas academic experience and some earned their doctorate abroad. All are regular faculty at ECNU and will therefore be available to form strong mentorships as they teach, advise, direct student research, and help graduates embark on post-graduate opportunities.
Major course
The Master’s program requires 3 years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. To follow the academic tradition of China, courses of the program are divided into several parts including the common required course, basic course for the degree, advanced course for the degree (mandatory and selective). They cover literature, culture and aesthetics both Chinese and foreign.
The available courses are listed below, but students will get an updated version after being admitted and registered. Main courses are taught in English, but those to be shared with Chinese students are taught in Chinese. Students with high level of Chinese language are also encouraged to take courses in Chinese.
Course Name | Credits | |
Common courses (mandatory) 学位公共课（必修）
| Introduction to Chinese Civilization | 3 |
Chinese for Beginner | 2 | |
Discipline and Ethics in Academic Research | 1 | |
Basic courses for the degree (mandatory) 学位基础课（必修） | Literary Research Methods (lectures) | 2 |
Academic Chinese | 3 | |
Advanced courses for the degree (mandatory) 学位专业课（必修） | Introduction of Comparative Literature | 3 |
Ancient Chinese Literature | 3 | |
Modern Chinese Literature | 3 | |
Advanced Courses for the degree (selective) 学位专业课（选修） | Translation Theories and Practices | 2 |
Subjects on Chinese Culture | 2 | |
Subjects on Contemporary World Poetry and Poetics | 2 | |
Chinese Gardening Aesthetics | 2 | |
Intercultural Communication | 2 |
Public course
Course Category | Course Name | Credits | Semester |
Elective courses | Neo-Daoism | 3 | 2 |
The Five Classics | 3 | 2 | |
Moral Philosophy from a Comparative Perspective | 3 | 3 |
Program Requirements
Degree Requirements
1. Requirements for the M.A. Program
The MA program at ECNU is a two-year program. The degree requirement has two components:
（1）Completion of 30 credit hours of course work. The course work is comprised of 2 common-core courses (Chinese Language, Chinese Culture/Civilization, 7 credits), 4 required courses in philosophy (12 credits), 3 elective courses in philosophy (9 credits), and 1 outside course from any of the following departments: Chinese Language and Literature, History, Anthropology, Political Science, and other MA programs at ECNU (at least 2 credits). In addition, students are required to participate in at least 4 academic lectures, and submit a written report for each lecture attended (1 credit). Students MUST pass HSK Level 3 (≥180) or pass the “International Chinese Proficiency Standard Test” arranged by the university before graduation.
（2）Successful defense of an MA thesis of at least 10,000 words in length. Successful defense of the M.A. thesis research plan is also required in the end of the second semester.
2. Requirements for the Ph.D.
The 4-year Ph.D. program requires course work of 15 credits and a Ph.D. dissertation. The Ph.D. program at ECNU is a four-year program. The degree requirement has three components:
（1）Completion of 15 credit hours of course work. The course work is comprised of 1 common-core course (Chinese Language, Chinese Culture/Civilization, 2-3 credits), 3 required courses in philosophy (9 credits), and 1 or 2 elective courses (at least 3-4 credits). In addition, students are required to participate in at least 4 academic lectures, and submit a written report for each lecture attended (1 credit). Students MUST pass HSK Level 3 (≥180) or pass the “International Chinese Proficiency Standard Test” arranged by the university before graduation.
（2）At least 1 academic article published in A&HCI or SSCI journals, or at least 2 academic articles published in other journals (as the sole or first author, indicating ECNU as the sole or first academic affiliation).
（3）Successful defense of a Ph.D. thesis of at least 50,000 words in length. Successful defense of the Ph.D. thesis research plan is also required in the third semester.
