Murasaki Shikibu, the author of Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji). Illustration by Tosa Mitsuoki (17th century).

The M.St. course in Japanese Studies aims to recruit graduates with a good first degree in Japanese, or graduates with equivalent language skills in Japanese and knowledge about Japan, including Japanese nationals with a first degree from a Japanese university. Based on their ability to use primary and secondary sources in Japanese, and their general knowledge about Japan and Japanese studies, students acquire a solid specialization within Japanese studies, including research methods and practice within that specialization. The course is designed around the academic expertise of academic staff in Japanese in the Oriental Institute, presently linguistics and literature. A core element of the course, within each line of specialization, is detailed work with bodies of data (usually textual in the widest sense) within some methodological framework. The specialization students acquire can stand alone as a qualification for a professional career, or it can serve as preparation for pursuing a research degree, here at Oxford or elsewhere.

The course has the following specialized tracks (subject to availability of teaching), each with different conventions for papers I-III:

1. Linguistics
2. Modern Literature
3. Classical Literature

(Another subject at the discretion of the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies)

Applicants should specify which track they are applying for, and admission is to a specific track. Once admitted, students will only in exceptional circumstances be permitted to change track.

The course has the following overall structure with four ‘papers’ (exams), each contributing one quarter of the final mark. Note that the teaching for the different tracks will be organized differently and that most or all teaching is track specific.

Paper I: Context and background
Paper II: Texts
Paper III: Theory and methodology
Paper IV: (15,000 word) Dissertation

Paper I: Context and background
For this paper, the context, background, and history relevant to the track chosen are studied. Teaching will take place in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms in lectures and/or seminars, and will include reading secondary texts in English (or other European languages) and to a smaller extent in Japanese. Examination will be by two essays (each max. 2,500 words). Essay topics will be track-specific. They will be announced no later than noon on Friday of 6th Week of Michaelmas Termand Friday of 6th Week of Hilary Term, with a deadline for submission of at least two weeks.

Paper II: Texts
For this paper, texts relevant to the track chosen are studied. Teaching will take place in small classes and/or tutorials, but texts will also need to be studied independently. Examination will be by a 3 hour written exam, with translation and comment from the texts offered, taken at the end of Trinity Term.

Paper III: Theory and methodology
For this paper, the theory and methodology of the track chosen is studied, preparing students for independent research. Teaching will take place in lectures and/or seminars, to some extent backed up by tutorials. This paper will be examined by a 3 hour written exam at the end of Trinity Term.

Paper IV: Dissertation
A dissertation of no more than 15,000 words in proper scholarly form. The choice of dissertation topic will be made in consultation with your supervisor. It is important to start thinking about and working on the dissertation early. Generally, supervision and guidance for the dissertation will take place in Hilary and Trinity Terms. The title of the dissertation needs to be submitted to the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and approved no later than Friday of 7th Week of Hilary Term. A dissertation workshop wil be held for all students early in Trinity Term. The dissertation must be submitted by the first Monday in.

Bjarke Frellesvig
Course Organizer